Winter weather, particularly at the extremes we are beginning to experience, are not ideal for Irish highways or vehicles. Icy roads, poor visibility and freezing temperatures raise the potential for accidents and can leave drivers and passengers vulnerable. Keep yourself and others safe and don’t put off preparing for winter driving…
The more worn tyres are, the less efficient they are at gripping frosty roads. If you live in a rural area you should consider installing winter tyres, but for the majority of us, making sure you have adequate tread should be enough. Rather than just being over the legal requirement at 1.6mm, the AA recommends a minimum of 3mm tyre tread depth for the winter months. (Remember to check your spare tyre is also in good condition.)
As well as checking your tread, make sure you maintain tyre pressure at manufacturer specifications throughout winter.
Batteries do not like cold, damp weather and are less efficient in these conditions. They are also being used more for heating and light. According to the AA, the majority of their winter call-outs are battery related. So, an essential winter check is to ensure your battery is fully charged.
If it needs replacing we would recommend having one professionally fitted to ensure your safety and to avoid any damage to your car’s electronics. It also means the garage will look after the correct recycling of the old battery. BestDrive by Continental is one of several garages that offer a free battery check.
Your lights are so important in winter to ensure you can see and be seen on dark evenings and through rain and fog. As well as checking that your car’s indicators, lights and reflectors etc. are in good working order you also need to clean them regularly.
We’re not about to tell you it’s essential to have a flask of hot chocolate in the car at all times, although that’s not a bad idea for a long journey! There are several liquids in your car that should be checked and maintained throughout the year and winter time makes them even more important.
Dirt, grit and salt on the roads throughout winter will mean you need to clean your windscreen more frequently to maintain visibility. It’s important you can wash it quickly and effectively, so make sure your washer fluid is topped up, and that it’s a wash which doesn’t freeze – it’ll tell you this on the bottle. Pour the fluid in using a funnel, so that you don’t spill it on your engine.
(Remember to check your wiper blades too – they are not expensive to replace and can make a huge difference to visibility.)
Antifreeze is used to stop the car’s cooling system from freezing, and the engine from overheating so it’s vital to be at the right levels.
Most modern cars use a different type of long-life antifreeze, but some older models may well need this winter essential topping up. Make sure you are using the right antifreeze for your vehicle – check your car manual, or with a mechanic, or with the manufacturer direct.
If you are confident you are using the right antifreeze, only top it up when the engine is cold. Open the cap on the coolant reservoir (this will be under your bonnet – check your car’s handbook to find out exactly where), and make sure that your coolant is between the maximum and minimum levels that are marked on the inside of the reservoir.
In winter, cold temperatures can cause your car’s oil to thicken – making it harder for the engine to distribute it effectively. So, while this is a check you should do year-round, in winter it’s particularly important to check and maintain the proper engine oil level, as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. It’s an easy way to prevent engine damage and ensure optimal performance.
If you don’t have the time or ability to do all of these checks, it’s worth speaking to your trusted garage – most offer a winter car check at very little cost and some even offer the check for free. Halfords will do a 10-point winter car check for just €15.
Give yourself extra time for your journey and for de-icing your car thoroughly before setting off. You may need to set your alarm back over winter, but it’s worth it to have enough time to get ready and to make a safe journey – you won’t be able to make time up on the road in icy conditions.
Plan your routes around major roads if you can as they are far more likely to be lit, cleared and gritted. Keep tuned into local radio for traffic updates and be prepared with an alternative route in case bad weather has caused incidents or road closures.
You may be heading to a heated office or a party but make sure you are dressed for driving and potentially getting stuck in your car. As well as sensible layers you should have dry, comfortable and practical shoes on for driving – you can always bring other shoes to change into.
It may seem obvious, but ask yourself if you are you safe to drive? Whether you are too tired, on cold medication that could make you drowsy, or you’ve had an impromptu mulled wine, are all reasons you shouldn’t get behind the wheel. Your reaction times will be slowed – making you a danger to everyone on the road, and you may be breaking the law
If you are involved in an accident, a breakdown or even just a long hold-up you should have the following items in the car to stay safe and comfortable:
• Warm clothes – hat, gloves, scarf, coat
• Wellies, winter boots or at least sensible shoes with good grip
• High visibility jacket or vest
• Torch (fully charged or wind-up)
• Mobile phone, charging cable and portable battery pack
• Warning triangle
• Blanket
• First aid kit
• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Windscreen wash
• Food – non-perishable snacks such as biscuits or cereal bars
• Water for drinking
• Paper roadmap
• Traction mats (or just an old piece of carpet or sacking)
• Jump leads
• Tow rope
• Shovel
Clear all windows and mirrors using a scraper and de-icer and wait until the windscreen’s fully demisted.
When you’re in a rush, it can be tempting to set off before the windscreen has fully thawed, but setting off with reduced visibility is not only dangerous but it’s also breaking the Rules of the Road and could land you with penalty points and a fine!
Don’t go inside and leave your car with the engine running to defrost it… There are rules regarding stationary idling, which could land you with a fine between €1,000 and €2,000 and even up to three months in prison! If your car is damaged or stolen while unattended you will have also invalidated your insurance policy.
Make a quick check that your lights are clean and your number plates are clearly visible and legible.
You must ensure that any snow is removed from the roof of your car – it can easily fall into the path of other drivers or slide down to block the front or rear view from your own car. While snow isn’t specifically mentioned, it is covered by more than one section in the Road Traffic Act, including “driving without reasonable consideration”.
We always should anyway, but check how much fuel is in the tank – it should be at least a quarter full in case of unexpected delays.
Most modern automatics and some EVs have a ‘winter mode’ or ‘snow mode’ – check your handbook if you’re not sure what your car offers.
Turn off anything electrical such as heated windows, wipers, lights or radio before trying to start the engine to protect your car battery. If it doesn’t start quickly, wait at least 30 seconds between attempts.
Not really a ‘driving’ tip as such, but remember to look after your car battery in cold weather – If you are sat waiting with the engine off, don’t use the lights or heating if it can be avoided as you will drain the battery.
When you leave your car, check everything is switched off to protect your battery. Also that your wipers haven’t been left on, as they can freeze to the windscreen overnight, which can damage the blades or the wiper motor when you turn on the ignition.
Remember that in severe conditions the best tip is not to drive at all! If you can stay at home and postpone your journey, do, the safest option is always to avoid car travel when possible. Even the most modern cars and highways are not designed to operate efficiently in extreme temperatures, and neither are we!
If this season ends up being too much for your old wheels, or you decide it’s time to invest in a snow plough, then don’t forget CarTakeBack can give you an instant quote for your car, pick it up for free, and help with the paperwork.
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