Drivers are being encouraged to check whether their car is ready for winter.
Journeys will take longer so set out sooner and be prepared to be delayed. RoSPA’s says:
- Check your lights are clean and working
- Keep the windscreen and windows clean and the washer bottle filled with screenwash which may be a stronger concentration during below-freezing temperatures.
Items to carry in the car include de-icing equipment (keep some outside the car too), a first aid kit and a working torch.
Think about whether you could cope if you got stuck in snow. You might want to carry a blanket, a pair of boots, a shovel, a high-visibility jacket and a mobile phone although don’t use it when you’re driving).
And don’t forget – alcohol and driving do not mix. If you are celebrating with alcohol this Christmas, plan in advance how you will get home safely. Any amount of alcohol can impair driving ability.
Be aware that you may be over the limit the morning after too – and even if you’re not over the limit, you may still be impaired. In difficult driving conditions, any impairment is magnified.
With Met Office forecasts of more widespread frost and sub-zero temperatures by mid-week, the VARTA experts at Johnson Controls Batteries Ltd advise drivers to give their car battery a winter fitness check to avoid a potential breakdown.
As power consumption during cold and damp weather increases, the environment for car batteries is particularly challenging. Every winter, breakdown statistics from the motoring organisations show that weak batteries are the main cause of roadside and home call outs, so a battery check should be just as much a part of the seasonal service as lights, brakes and tyre checks.
The older the battery, the more likely it is to fail, and since many drivers are unaware of the state of their car’s battery, the battery manufacturer is advising garages up and down the country to warn their customers of the inherent dangers of a drop in battery performance before the winter season begins in earnest.
Replacing a tired battery does not have to mean an expensive investment. Johnson Controls tailors its Trio range of batteries to suit the vehicle and the budget, with the VARTA Black Dynamic range especially designed for older cars with fewer electrical consumers than today’s high tech offerings.
A popular 41 amp/hour type for a seven–10 year old car is likely to retail at around £52 + VAT, although at this time of year there will be some good promotional deals available. For current mainstream models, the VARTA Blue Dynamic range is the right choice, capable of providing all the cold starting power and long service life most motorists in Britain will ever need, while for high end prestige models and cars with Start-Stop technology, the VARTA Start-Stop Plus battery with AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) technology adds additional benefits such as even higher cycle stability and better charge acceptance – a decisive factor for an advanced Start-Stop system.
A winter wonderland is no fun when you don’t have the proper tools to dig out your car when you are stuck in the snow.
Fiskars Snow Light Car Spade is an invaluable travelling companion when driving in winter conditions. Weighing only 750g and fitting neatly into the boot of the car means it is always on hand when out and about for £19.99.
Stylish Audi Snow Sledge thankfully handles slippery surfaces without the tenacious grip synonymous with quattro.
Possibly the most inexpensive Audi vehicle ever launched, the new Snow Sledge is £34.99 plus P+P, from audi.co.uk or from Audi Centres across the country. Finished in sleek silver, and embellished with the famous four Audi rings, this must-have downhill accessory is made from an advanced synthetic material designed to perform optimally at temperatures as low as -20°C. It features two ergonomic grips, an anatomical seat and rib profiling for optimum surface slip.
