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before-driving.jpg
PREPARING YOUR CAR FOR THE WINTER
WINTER EQUIPMENT
- Spare light bulbs
- Booster cables
- Coolant
- antifreeze
- Engine oil
- spare wiper blades
- de-icer
- an ice scraper
- warm lined gloves
- a torch
Winter driving requires more
preparation and attention than
driving in any other season.
Breakdowns are much more
common in winter and frozen
car parts can lead to serious
and expensive damage. However,
a few small daily routines can
help you to travel safely and
avoid inconveniences due to a
breakdown. For that purpose, we
have compiled a list of measures
you can easily take before leaving
for work or going on holiday.
/// Mister-Auto’s DIY Guides
www.mister-auto.co.uk - 0844 338 00 21
*Please note: free and informative document for which Mister-Auto does not accept any responsibility or liability.
DRIVING IN WINTER
WINDSCREEN
PROTECTION
WINTER ADVICE FROM
MISTER-AUTO
Everyone will be
familiar with frozen
car windows or a
snowed under vehicle. To
avoid ice scraping, a very
easy solution exists: cover
the windscreen. Either with a
piece of cardboard or canvas or of
course a special windscreen shield.
A shield will prevent the formation
of ice crystals on your windscreen.
On top of that, it will protect your
windscreen wipers. The rubber
wiper blades can freeze to the
windscreen resulting in premature
wear.
If you haven’t thought to cover
the windscreen, use some de-icer
and an ice scraper to take the ice
off before leaving. Clear all your
windows properly before taking
the road. For frozen locks there
are special lock de-icers available.
After some cold spells,
particularly at night,
frozen car windows
may well be inevitable,
especially early in the
season. Make sure you are
equipped with a pair of warm
lined gloves, an ice scraper and
some de-icer. Start with taking any
snow off your car. Don’t forget the
roof as falling snow can easily
obscure your vision when driving
or result in hazard for other road
users. Do not pour hot water
over your windscreen. The large
temperature difference between
the water and the frozen glass can
cause window chipping or cracking
or damage to the windscreen
wipers. Equally, do not breathe on
your car key if your lock is frozen.
The moisture from your breath
can easily condense and freeze
in the lock. However, you can use
a lighter to heat up the key before
inserting it into the lock
Regularly wash your car, even in
winter. Although less pleasant than
in spring or summer, the salt used
for gritting, is highly corrosive and
therefore damaging to the paint on
your car. Road grit is also damaging
for rubber and metal joints and parts.
• Check your tyre pressure
including of the spare tyre. Do
not reduce their pressure; rather
than increasing your grip, this
will reduce your car’s stability
and handling.
• Check both front and rear lights.
Replace any broken light bulbs.
When replacing one light bulb,
for example a headlight bulb,
it might be wise to replace the
other one at the same time as it
is likely to breakdown relatively
soon after the first one.
• Check you fluids’ levels: coolant,
screen wash and engine oil.
• Check your battery
ICE SCRAPERS AND
DE-ICERS

2. /// Mister-Auto’s DIY Guides
www.mister-auto.co.uk - 0844 338 00 21
*Please note: free and informative document for which Mister-Auto does not accept any responsibility or liability.
DRIVING IN WINTER
Your wiper blades will need re-
placing about once a year.
To avoid issues during
the winter when they will
be used more intensely due
to rain and snow, it is best to
change your wiper blades dur-
ing the autumn. There are wiper
blades available with a wear contact.
Their advantage is that you will get
a warning when it is time to replace
them. In case of frost, do not use your
wiper blades on a still frozen wind-
screen. This is damaging to the rubber
and you may need to replace your
wipers relatively quickly again.
Check the level of all the fluids
in your car such as the
screen wash, coolant
and engine oil and prevent
them from freezing. If in your
living area temperatures can
drop considerably, invest in some
specially adapted coolant and wiper blades
for low temperatures.
Frozen fluids, particularly coolant, can lead
to serious damage to your engine. If your
coolant is frozen, your engine cannot be
cooled and will overheat instead. If your
water pump is frozen, you will notice by
hearing a constant squeaking noise. This
comes from one of the drive belts slipping
on the pulley. Switch your engine off and
wait for it to warm up or thaw at least.
Also remember that your coolant qualities
degrade over time. Every two years it
will need to be changed. Ask your local
garage to do a test and replace the coolant
if necessary.
Frost can also have a damaging effect on
your screen-wash system. Remember to
add antifreeze to your screen wash when
topping up before winter.
In winter, you will need to use your
car lights a lot more often than
during the summer for example.
To avoid accidents and ensure good
visibility, it is important to regularly
check all your lights. Don’t forget to also
check your high beams, front side lights,
daytime running lamps, brake lights, indi-
cators and fog lights. Remember that your
fog lights must only be used in dense fog
or mist. As soon as your visibility increases,
you have to switch them off to avoid daz-
zling other road users.
CHANGING THE
WINDSCREEN WIPERS
THE LIGHTS
CHECK THE FLUID LEVELS

3. /// Mister-Auto’s DIY Guides
www.mister-auto.co.uk - 0844 338 00 21
*Please note: free and informative document for which Mister-Auto does not accept any responsibility or liability.
At the wheel
• Although you’ll rarely need to use snow
chains in the UK, be careful when driv-
ing on snowy roads. Make sure you
stay well in control of your vehicle and
release your clutch even more gradually
than usual after a standstill. Also ensure
you have the driven wheels pointing
straight ahead and not turned when
pulling away.
• If you feel your car starts to slide; press
the clutch pedal and start over until you
have some grip.
• As soon as you need to drive down a
descending run, use a low gear.
• Use your engine brake as much as pos-
sible when driving on a downhill run
and keep more distance to vehicles in
front of you.
• Avoid sudden movements so not to lose
control over the vehicle on a snowy or
icy road. If you feel your car starting to
slide, take your foot off the accelerator
immediately.
Loss of control
• If you feel your car starting to slide or
losing grip, take your foot off the accel-
erator immediately and press the clutch
pedal until you regain control. Then
gradually release the clutch.
• If your car starts sliding and you need
to avoid hitting another vehicle or some
obstacle, do not block your regard onto
the obstacle but always look in the di-
rection where you want the car to go
or to stop.
Visitbility
• Do not drive faster than 30 mph in dense
fog.
• Do not accelerate in bad weather or if
you can no longer see the vehicle in
front of you. Instead, keep the same
pace and concentrate on the road ahead
and traffic around you. It is well possible
that the vehicle in front is trying to catch
up with what was in front of him, but do
not be tempted to do the same. It is well
possible that people are braking further
ahead. In dense fog it is easy not to
see in time and be unable to stop your
car. So, to avoid accidents, it is better
to continue at the same speed and be
prepared for sudden braking ahead.
• If you can’t see further than 30 yards
ahead, do not drive faster than 30 mph
and keep a 30 yard distance to the ve-
hicle in front of you.
WINTER DRIVING
DRIVING IN WINTER