Winter Driving Tips from UK Car Discount
Published Date: 11th Jan 2010
Given the recent cold periods across the country - and more forecast for certain areas, UK Car Discount has pulled together some tips for driving in wintry conditions, to ensure you travel to your destination as safely as possible.
Preparation is key; ensure you have enough time to prepare your car – it will only take ten minutes. Clear all windows of snow and ice using de-icer and a scraper - do not drive with only a tiny hole cleared in the windscreen. Also don't forget to check and clear the roof for snow before you drive - it can slip down over the windscreen and obscure your view, or cause a hazard for other motorist behind you.
Besides an ice scraper and de-icer, you should also carry a mobile phone with a fully charged battery, torch, first-aid kit, tow rope, blankets, warm coat and boots, jump leads, snow shovel, warning triangle, an old sack or rug and water repellent spray.
Plan routes to favour major roads which are more likely to have been gritted and always put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in. While it’s always a good idea to allow extra time in winter for your journey, delays are likely to occur.
If you must drive in the snow and ice, please try to take the following precautions and preventative measures: If your vehicle skids, depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. When the car straightens steer along the road. Don't brake as it will lock your wheels and you'll skid further. Also please remember to make sure that you keep a sufficient distance between you and the car in front - stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow!
Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving in snow and ice; always apply the brakes gently and reduce your risk of skidding by reducing your speed - too much power is often the source of problems in snow and ice. Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin. Try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear in advance. Choose third or fourth gear when driving downhill to prevent skidding. Should you get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.
The team at UK Car Discount hope that this helps in some way.
Don't forget to visit the site at www.uk-car-discount.co.uk for all the great and cheapest deals on new cars; they also arrange competitive finance rates. Make 2010 a new car year with UK Car Discount.