Winter car check: Tips for driving in winter

Dark mornings, icy roads, howling winds, sudden heavy snowfall – winter presents plenty of challenges for motorists.

From car checks to things to pack, practical advice and using hybrids, check out our winter driving tips.

6 simple winter checks for your car

1. Fluids

It’s important all the fluids in your vehicle are topped up, whatever the weather. So, make sure you check:

• Engine oil – if this runs low it can risk engine damage, which is expensive to fix.

• Coolant/antifreeze – this keeps your engine from overheating, but antifreeze is still needed in winter so the mixture doesn’t freeze.

• Brake fluid – goes into the brakes’ hydraulic system, which helps slow your car when you push the pedal.

• Windscreen wash – visibility is often affected in winter – snow, hail, rain, salt – so keep your windscreen clean. Mix water and screen wash to prevent the system from freezing up.

2. Wipers

Check your wiper blades – if they’ve perished or been damaged, replace them.

It’s recommended you do so every 12 months, and you can replace them yourself or ask a servicing and repair company to do so.

3. Winter tires

Check your tyres are in good condition and aim for a tread depth of 3mm – the legal limit is 1.6mm.

Winter tyres could be worth investing in. They’re more effective below 7°C than summer tyres, even in dry conditions. They contain higher levels of natural rubber so they’re more flexible in lower temperatures, and their tread patterns mean more rubber can be in contact with the road.

They’re compulsory in some countries and regions across Europe (including Germany, Italy and some French regions), but not all (like the UK, Spain and the Netherlands).

4. Lights

Walk around your car, and check your headlights, rear lights, indicators and fog lights. To check your brake lights, either ask someone for help or park near a wall – or even better, a window so you can see the reflection – to make sure each light is working.

If you find one or more doesn’t work, check your user manual and see if it’s possible to change the bulb yourself.

5. Battery

Batteries gradually lose their overall power output over time, but cold temperatures will reduce their life even further – slowing down the chemical processes that occur within. You may find yourself stranded on your driveway if you don’t maintain it.

How does your battery perform in normal temperatures? Does your ignition ever stutter or take a couple of times to kick in? If you’ve answered yes to either of these, it might be worth getting your battery checked over by a dealer to ensure it doesn’t go flat.

6. Windscreen and wipers

It’s important to keep your windows and windscreen clear during winter. Frost on the surface can make visibility difficult, so you’ll need to use de-icer to clear it before you hit the road.

Only use de-icer and an ice scraper, as anything else could scratch the glass. Then turn your blowers on full, raise the temperature and switch on your heated windscreen, if you have one. Throwing hot water on to a frozen windscreen may seem like a fast solution, but it could lead to cracked glass.

To help prevent icing, covers your windscreen. Covers can hook on to wing mirrors with Velcro fixings and suction cups.

What to pack in your car during winter

During the worst of the winter weather, drivers should keep a range of essential items in their car, to ensure they’re safe in case of emergencies. It’s recommended that you keep the following items in your car:

• Windscreen washer fluid – if conditions get so bad that your screen needs clearing more than usual, take a spare bottle so you don’t run out.

• De-icing equipment – you are legally required to make sure your front and rear windscreen are clear of snow and ice, so if you don’t have a heated windscreen, this is essential.

• A torch – if your car breaks down at the side of the road on a cold, dark night it’s essential you have a light source.

• High-visibility vest – if you need to leave your car in the dark, you will need to be seen by other motorists to avoid an accident.

• Wellington boots – a pair of wellies, or other sturdy boots with good grip, will help you cope with ice and snow.

• Warm clothing – if you become stuck or stranded, you might have a long wait in the cold, so make sure you have enough clothes to give an extra layer of warmth to you or passengers.

• First aid kit – wipes, plasters, dressings, scissors and gloves.

• Tow rope – really useful if you or someone else needs towing after becoming stuck in the snow.

• Shovel – if you wake up to a blanket of snow at home or away, a shovel will help you avoid getting stuck.

• Drink and snacks – becoming stranded or waiting on icy roads is bad enough, you don’t want to throw hunger and thirst into the mix.

• Jump start pack – keep this handy in case your battery goes flat.

Winter driving tips

You’ve checked your car is roadworthy for winter driving, and you’ve packed your car appropriately. Now you need to be aware of the best ways to drive safely in treacherous conditions.

Use a high gear

If the roads are icy, drive very carefully. To maintain traction, if you’re driving a manual car, try pulling away in second gear.

When on the move on level ground, keep the gear high and engine revs low to prevent your tyres from spinning. Drive slowly on bends and avoid sudden actions that could cause your car to lose control.

Keep your distance

It’s a simple but effective tip: you should be able to stop in the distance you can see. On snow-covered roads, increase stopping distances and gaps between vehicles by as much as 10 times.

In wet weather, rain and spray may make it difficult to see and be seen, so keep well back from vehicles in front and take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Brake in a straight line

Braking in a straight line avoids the danger of unsettling your car. Your car is more likely to skid out if you brake while turning in slippery conditions, so brake steadily and in plenty of time to slow down before you turn.

Take care with black ice

Black ice is one of the worst hazards when driving in winter, because it just looks like a wet road.

If you do skid, look at where you want to be. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and turn into the skid – so if the back of the car oversteers to the right, turn to the right.

Hybrids in winter

Driving a self-charging hybrid car in winter is no different to driving a traditional vehicle and should have little impact on the performance of the car battery. The latest hybrids come equipped with features that help them keep traction and control in slippery conditions.

If you own a plug-in hybrid, cold weather can reduce battery performance. Try charging your hybrid in a warmer, enclosed space (like a garage), to ensure your battery remains topped up. However, due to increased pressure on the performance of a hybrid, you may find your car using petrol engine more than the electric power train in treacherous conditions, so make sure your tank is topped up.

Electric cars in winter

The power characteristics of an electric motor mean that it is very easy to pull away and minimise wheel spin with an electric car. As electric cars don’t use gears, you are less likely to spin or slide while driving in wintery conditions.

If you own an electric car, you might be worried about reduced performance once the temperature drops. Battery performance can be affected, so you can try a few tips to conserve charge, such as turning the heating on at home while your car is still plugged in, so you don’t waste energy on raising the temperature while on the move. Try to use heated seats and heated steering wheel instead of climate control to conserve battery power, too.

Plan your journey carefully – paying close attention to your expected range – as colder temperatures can mean a charged car won’t travel as far as usual. Driving at slower speeds could also mean using less energy and can improve the range of your electric car.