As many of you know, I’m also a part time ski instructor and spend a lot of time driving in the snow in the French alps. In this blog, I’ve put together my top tips to drive safe this winter.
), de-icer spray, ice scraper, shovel, jump leads, first aid kit, high-visibility vest, fleece blanket, an old gym hoodie, can of monster (I often need to replace that one!), iphone charging cable and headphones. I don’t keep torches as I use the torch on my phone but it might be a good idea.
Make sure your lights are in good working order
Check your lights to make sure they’re in good condition, not just the bulbs but the lenses as well. Its crucial that other road users, cyclists and pedestrians can see you when the visibility isn’t great.
And your tyres are okay…
Make sure you check your tyres have correct air pressure. Also remember, just like winter boots – the more tread the better the grip. It’s a good idea to carry a spare tyre as you can easily hit potholes in the winter if they’re buried under the snow. Better be safe than sorry!
Keep the fuel topped up
Fuel can get used up quicker in the winter than summer so make sure to have enough fuel for your journeys and not risk driving on fumes – unless you want to get stranded in the cold!
Check your battery
Avoid using your car for too many short journeys or leaving it unused for too long. Take it out for runs and don’t leave it parked up for too long before long trips. The portable battery chargers can be bought online fairly cheap and jump leads can be life savers should the worst happen.
And your brakes…
Dont ignore your warning lights, funny noises or strange vibrations, while pressing your brake pedal. If it feels spongy or the cat pulls to one side, get it checked out ASAP.
Your wiper and windscreen
Use de-icer and not hot water on your windscreen (unless you want cracked glass!). You’ll thank me later. If your wiper blades are frozen, don’t keep on trying to move them. Wait till they have defrosted! Also make sure your screenwash tank is topped up (get the proper stuff. nope, water and fairy liquid won’t do the job!)
Free winter check thanks to Halfords
Halfords do a free winter car check that might be worth booking. They might try to sell you some of their products afterwards but you’re under no obligation to buy them. They also top up your screen wash.
Always Plan ahead
Its a good idea to look at the map before setting off and not just rely on good old satnav in the car. Better stick to main roads than the back roads. Also, always leave early in case there’s road closures.