|
Many drivers are wary of winter roads, even those with many years of experience. Depending on where you live, winter driving may be challenging, treacherous or even impossible, if roads are not cleared of snow or ice and frost reduces the traction of tyres on the road surface. Taking it slow and keeping up to date with car servicing are the best defences against the hazards of the season.
Awareness is the key to avoiding many winter driving issues, including the higher risk of breakdowns caused by failing engines and other systems. Checking your fluid levels daily and making sure they don’t freeze will reduce the risk of breakdowns, and you should have your car looked at by a professional mechanic if you spot any unusual sounds or smells coming from the engine.
The winter generally causes higher demand on batteries too, as lights, windscreen wipers and heaters are used more frequently, which could cause batteries to give out if they are already nearing the end of their lives. Most batteries are designed to last for five years, but this life span can be reduced if you’re running a number of electronic systems. Switching off unnecessary systems and giving your battery overnight charges can help to avoid this.
Before heading out, it’s advised to let your engine idle for 10 minutes to warm up, and to use antifreeze products wherever needed if the car has been subjected to freezing temperatures overnight. When driving, you should be aware of the increased stopping times and distances when braking on slippery roads, and make sure you keep tight control of the vehicle at all times to avoid skidding. Driving at slower speeds is recommended, and you should make sure your tyres have suitable grip for the reduced traction of icy roads, using no less than three millimetres of tread. Replacing your tyres with specialised winter tyres could also improve your safety and offer a tighter grip on the road surface.
When clearing your windscreen of ice take care and only suitable methods should be used, either one of the many spray on products available or the good old fashioned scraper will give you the best results. Using these methods will avoid the possible windscreen replacement cost that pouring a boiled kettle over the screen can cause.
Bruce Giles writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
Related Articles -
Windscreen replacement cost, windscreen replacement, replace a windscreen, windscreen repair, windscreen replacement prices,
|
