Clearview National December 2019 - Issue 217 | Page 69
INSTALLERSUPPORT
Drivers warned
to prepare vehicles
for winter
» BRITISH DRIVERS HAVE
been urged to get their vehicles
ready for winter or face
uncomfortable – and even
dangerous – journeys in the cold.
Motoring experts from LeaseVan.
co.uk have released seven guidelines
for UK car and van drivers to
winter-proof their vehicles, inside
and out.
Driving on British roads from
November onwards can be rough
but doing a little extra preparation
and having useful items to hand
will make travelling during the
winter more pleasant.
A reassured, comfortable and
focussed motorist will drive better
and safer; a prepared driver owner
won’t need to panic in the event of
bad weather.
Tim Alcock from LeaseVan.co.uk
said: “In the run up to Christmas,
it’s easy to get distracted and forget
to prepare your vehicle for winter
driving – but doing so means you’ll
face uncomfortable, miserable and
potentially dangerous journeys.
“We’ve put together some advice
that any driver can use to avoid
discomfort and distraction when
driving in bad weather.”
1. GOOD WHEELS:
Ensure there is sufficient grip
on every tyre to see the vehicle
through winter journeys on
slippery roads and have accessible
wheel chains if travelling through
the snow is necessary.
2. TOOLS:
It’s recommended that drivers
keep a snow shovel in their
vehicle in case the car or van gets
stuck. A pair of sturdy walking
boots is also a good idea, if shelter
must be sought on foot.
3. MAINTENANCE:
Extra care needs to be taken
over the condition of vehicles
during the winter months, so
motorists should regularly check
safety essentials like brakes and
windscreen wipers.
4. CLEAR VISION:
Leaving a vehicle parked
anywhere during the winter months
is an open invitation for a frozen
windscreen, so make sure you have
a can of de-icer to hand as well as a
suitable scraper. It’s also a good idea
to pack a cloth or old rag to wipe
the glass from the inside, as having
the heater on full blast will lead to
condensation when the warmth
meets the cold air from outside.
5. KEEP FUELLED:
It’s even more vital to keep
on top of filling up with petrol
or diesel in the winter, to avoid
being left stranded in the cold –
so aim to always have a quarter of
the tank full.
Keeping yourself fuelled is equally
as important and precautions
should be taken in case of delays of
breakdowns; keep a bottle of water
in the car or van, hide an energy-
filled snack such as a chocolate bar
in the glovebox for emergencies, and
on long journeys take a flask.
6. WARM CLOTHES:
All drivers could be
vulnerable to forgetfulness on a
cold morning, so prepare for the
worst weather by making sure
there are gloves, a scarf, a hat
and a thick pair of socks tucked
away in your vehicle.
Should the heating or vehicle
itself break down, it is also
advisable to have a spare jumper,
thermal blanket or chemical
heat packs in the boot.
7. ACCESSORIES:
The best prepared British
motorists will have their
vehicle well stocked with useful
items to see them through the
winter.
A full portable phone
charger is a glovebox essential
in case of breakdown, an old-
fashioned paper map is always
an advisable back up to a sat-
nav and a packet of tissues is
a must to avoid distraction on
the roads.
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