DECEMBER 2019 | 39
Motoring
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
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 trav-
elling during the winter more
pleasant.
A reassured, comfortable and
focussed motorist will drive bet-
ter 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 dis-
tracted 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 slip-
pery roads and have accessible
wheel chains if travelling through
the snow is necessary.
2. Tools:
It’s recommended that driv-
ers 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 shel-
ter must be sought on foot.
3. Maintenance: 5. Keep fuelled:
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. 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.
‘ better and safer ’
4. Clear vision:
Leaving a vehicle parked any-
where 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 conden-
sation when the warmth meets
the cold air from outside.
6. Warm clothes:
All drivers could be vul-
nerable 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 ad-
visable to have a spare jumper,
thermal blanket or chemical
heat packs in the boot.
7. Accessories:
The best prepared British
motorists will have their vehi-
cle 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-fash-
ioned 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.