Winter driving essentials and car kit checklist

Winter driving can be tricky. When you’re not battling rain, sleet or snow, you have to shield your eyes from the low winter sun, which can be especially troublesome if you’re peering through a dirty windscreen.

The troubles start even before you’ve set off. A frosty morning could deliver the unbridled joy’ of de-icing a frozen windscreen, while cold weather is the enemy of your car’s battery, so it’s not just you who will be feeling flat when the temperatures drop and the nights draw in.

You’d be forgiven for wanting to make like a hedgehog and hibernate until the spring. But fear not, because this needn’t be a (ahem) prickly subject. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the winter driving essentials and tell you what kit to stick in your car’s boot until the weather improves.

Why winter preparation matters

Your car won’t be prepared for winter without a little help from you. It’s not a case of sticking a bobble hat on the roof, putting some gloves on the door mirrors and giving the car a hot water bottle at night, although we’d love to see your neighbours curtain-twitching if you did any of these things. It’s about making sure you and your car are prepared for the UK’s famously changeable weather conditions.

You’ll need to do some things at home, like making sure your car has enough screenwash to cope with a dirty windscreen or remembering where you put the ice scraper. Top tip: don’t put it in the glovebox, because you won’t be able to grab it if the doors and locks are frozen solid.

It’s also worth remembering that you’re more likely to experience a car breakdown in the winter than at any other time of the year. Indeed, National Highways figures show that winter breakdowns have increased by 22 percent over the last five years. The good news is that some basic preparation should ensure you don’t become a statistic during the winter months.

Winter driving checklist: preparing your car

Tyres

Checking your tyres is a good habit to get into, especially during the winter when grip levels are decreased and traction is increasingly important. Check the tyre pressures at least once a week, because you might experience a loss of grip in wet or icy conditions. If in doubt, consult your car’s handbook, contact your local dealer or use one of the many online tyre pressure finders.

While you’re checking the tyre pressures, be sure to check the tread depth. Although the legal limit is 1.6mm, you’re advised to change the tyres when the depth reaches 3mm to avoid a drop-off in cornering and braking.

Aquaplaning is one of the biggest hazards associated with driving in heavy rain. It happens when a layer of water builds up between the tyres and the road, and although even the newest and best tyres won’t offer immunity from aquaplaning, reduced tread depth certainly won’t help. If your car does start to aquaplane, it’s important not to panic. Instead, slowly reduce the accelerator pedal and wait for the car to regain grip. If the car starts to spin, you can counter it by steering in the opposite direction.

For the ultimate protection against winter weather, you could consider investing in a set of winter tyres. The name is a bit misleading; they should be called cold weather tyres, because they’re designed for when the temperature drops below 7°C. Yes, they’re more expensive, but if you live in a rural area or a region in which snow and ice are almost guaranteed, they could mean the difference between getting to your destination or an awkward conversation with your insurance company.

Battery health

A flat battery is the number one reason for a breakdown in the UK, especially during the winter when the likes of the AA and RAC see a marked increase in the number of call-outs. There are two reasons for this, starting with the fact that a battery will lose around a third of its cranking performance when the temperature hits zero.

Secondly, the electrical system has to work much harder in the winter months when you use the likes of the headlights, heater, wipers and heated seats. This puts added strain on the battery, so it might be worth checking its health when the clocks go back. Many high street garages offer a free battery health check or you could invest in an inexpensive battery checker.

Fluids

Fluids such as engine oil and transmission fluid are essentially the lifeblood of your car’s engine. These should be part of your car’s routine maintenance, so check the handbook or consult your local dealer to find the recommended service intervals.

Other fluids require further extra attention during the winter, and I’m not just talking about an indulgent hot choc. The first one to check is the antifreeze, which prevents the water in your car’s cooling system from freezing during cold weather conditions. Without antifreeze, you risk damaging the engine, hoses or radiator. Again, routine servicing and regular maintenance will prevent any issues during the winter months.

Another crucial fluid for winter driving is screenwash, which is used in conjunction with the windscreen wipers to create a clear view of the road ahead. It’s actually illegal to drive without some kind of fluid in the screenwash bottle, but while water could be used in an emergency, it’s always best to add some proper screenwash. Not only will this deliver better results, but it also helps to prevent the screenwash from freezing when the temperature hits zero.

Some screenwashes come with de-icer for winter driving; look out for products handily marked ‘all-season’ or ‘winter’.

Windscreen and wipers

You’ve topped up the screenwash, now it’s time to check the wipers. Before you do, here’s another Carmoola top tip: if your car is fitted with automatic wipers, be sure to turn them off if you’re expecting to wake up to a frosty morning. You risk damaging the rubber if the wipers sweep across a frozen windscreen.

Windscreen wipers are designed to last between six months and a year, but you should get into the habit of checking the blades for cracks, tears or splits. Cold weather can make the rubber brittle and prone to damage, especially when the wipers are having to deal with road salt, mud and ice.

Get into the habit of running a sponge or damp cloth over the wiper blades when you’re cleaning the car. Lifting the blades away from the windscreen will also allow you to remove any leaves or grit that may be stuck between the wipers and the glass. If the wipers leave streaks or smudges or make a noise when they sweep the windscreen, it’s probably time to invest in a new set. Don’t forget to check the wiper on the rear window (if fitted).

Wipers shouldn’t be used to clear snow or ice from the windscreen. Instead, grab an ice scraper to remove ice or a soft brush to remove snow without damaging the glass. In both cases, a de-icer spray will speed up the process of removing the ice or snow. Alternatively, buy a car with a heated windscreen and enjoy the added warmth of that smug feeling as you drive away as your neighbours are still battling with an ice scraper!

Lights

You’ll spend more time driving in the dark during the winter than you do at any other time of the year, so make sure the car’s headlights, rear lights and indicators are functioning and clean for improved visibility. It could be worth upgrading your headlight bulbs if you’re struggling to see in the dark.

Emergency kit essentials for winter driving

Carrying an emergency kit in your car during the winter is essential for safety in case of traffic delays, breakdowns or extreme weather conditions. Here are some of the items we recommend for a winter survival kit:

Ice scraper and de-icer to remove ice and snow from the windscreen and other windows

• Torch with spare batteries in case you breakdown in the dark
• Warm clothing and blankets to keep warm if you find yourself stranded for an extended period
• High-visibility jacket in case of breakdown. It’s important that you’re seen by other motorists
  First aid kit to treat minor injuries
• Snacks and water in case you get stuck in traffic or your journey takes longer than expected
• Mobile phone charger or power bank in case of emergency (or to keep your children entertained if you’re stuck in traffic)
• Jump leads if you haven’t heeded our advice and checked the battery
• Sand or cat litter to gain traction on icy or snow surfaces
• Snow chains or snow socks for added grip in heavy snow
• Shovel to dig your car out of a snowdrift
• Windscreen washer fluid in case you run out
• Map or road atlas to find the way home if your smartphone dies or the mobile network goes down
• Cash for emergencies where cards may not be accepted
• Sunglasses to help you see the road ahead when the sun is lower in the sky
• Empty fuel can in case you run of petrol or diesel
• Warning triangle, which should be placed at least 45 metres behind your car. You might need a second triangle to place in front of the car or if you’re parked over the brow of a hill

Tips for safe driving in winter conditions

Driving in winter conditions can be challenging due to snow, ice, rain and reduced visibility. In some cases, you could encounter all four of these hazards in one journey, so it’s important to be prepared.

You can start before you set off by checking the weather forecast and traffic report to see if it’s worth delaying your journey. Stick to main roads, which are more likely to be gritted or cleared, but leave extra time in case of slower than normal travel times.

In all winter conditions, you should reduce your speed to account for longer stopping distances and slippery surfaces. Maintain a safe distance to the car in front to allow for safe braking and avoid any sharp turns, especially in snow and ice. If in doubt, go easy on the accelerator and brake pedals, as sudden movements can result in a skid. Use second gear or select the ‘winter’ mode on the automatic transmission when pulling away on slippery roads.

Keep the fuel tank at least half full during the winter to avoid condensation issues which could lead to your fuel lines freezing up.

What to do in an emergency

If your car breaks down or you get stuck in bad weather, don’t panic. Stay with your car and call the emergency services or a roadside assistance company. If possible, you should move the car to the side of the road or to a safe location, then switch on the hazard warning lights to alert other drivers.

Wear high-visibility clothing if you need to leave the car to call for help or seek assistance. Return to the car if it’s safe and warm and use warning triangles if it’s safe to place them. If your car breaks down on a motorway, leave via the passenger side and stand well away from the road.

Keep you and your passengers safe and warm, then wait for assistance to arrive.