Remember to look after your car this winter

Every driver knows how important it is to keep your car well maintained. Not only is it essential for road safety, but a well-maintainedcar is also a legal requirement according to MOT standards. An MOT is a legal requirement to obtain car insurance, without which you cannot drive on the road. During the winter your car can suffer from the effects of adverse weather conditions, slippery road surfaces and a host of other problems. So to make sure you can drive safely all year round, here are a few winter driving tips to keep your car in good working order.

Winter is a tough time for drivers. Slippery road surfaces, icy mornings and cold, wet weather all take their toll on your car. To ensure that you stay safe on the road it is important to make sure that you pay extra attention to car maintenance during the winter months. Not only does this improve your car’s performance and safety, but it can also help you to avoid having to make any claims on your car insurance for minor accidents. So here are a few tips to make sure you stay safe this winter.

Check your tyres

As winter draws in one of the first checks you should make on a regular basis is the condition of your tyres. The minimum legal tread depth requirement in the UK is just 1.6mm and while in dry conditions this will provide adequate grip on a road surface, in wet or icy conditions tyres with just the bare legal minimum amount of tread will struggle to cope. With a changing climate and wetter, colder winters predicted, a set of ‘cold weather’ tyres are a worthwhile investment, particularly for drivers living in rural areas. These tyres are designed to cope with road surface temperatures of 7 degrees and below, so they’re not ‘just for snowy weather’. If you cannot afford to buy a spare set of cold weather tyres, then make sure your normal tyres are in excellent condition and that they are pumped up correctly to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Anti-freeze

A sudden frosty night can play havoc with a car radiator. Once the temperature falls below freezing the water inside the radiator freezes and expands, which can damage the radiator. Before any cold snap make sure that you have topped up your radiator and windscreen wash containers withanti-freeze. Very few if any car insurance policies will cover you for damage caused to your car by cold weather, so make sure you take steps to protect your vehicle.

Lighting up

During the winter months there is a good chance that you will be driving during the hours of darkness or during poor weather conditions. Remember that your lights are not just for use at night – in murky, foggy or poor conditions putting your lights on alerts other road users to your presence on the road. As soon as the evenings start to get darker earlier, check all your lights including your brake lights to ensure that they are operating correctly. Many car insurance claims result from a driver being unable to judge whether another motorist is slowing down because of faulty brake lights. So make sure that your lights are all in good working order and carry some spare bulbs as a precaution.

Keep your windscreens clear of snow and ice

During last year’s snow the news reports showed numerous pictures of drivers with snow covered or frosty windscreens. If you do have a heavy fall of snow remember to clear your windows and roof thoroughly of any loose snow before driving. Stopping suddenly could cause any snow on your roof to slide forward and obscure your view, which could in turn lead to a serious accident.

Change your driving habits

Finally, remember that during winter weather you will need to alter your driving habits to cope with adverse weather conditions. Driving at night or in bad conditions can be very difficult so remember to slow down, leave yourself plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front and be prepared for changeable road conditions. Many car insurance claims are the result of a driver being momentarily distracted or losing concentration, so never drive while tired. If conditions are particularly bad, consider if your journey is really necessary and if possible make alternative arrangements.