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Winter Driving Checklist

It's fair to say that driving a vehicle in the winter months, especially January and February in the United Kingdom, can be a challenge.

But, carrying out a few basic checks, stocking up on some essential supplies, and preparing a few tools, will make wintertime driving in snow and ice less hazardous.

Essential Vehicle Checks for Bad Weather

The best time to prepare for driving in wintry conditions is before the bad weather arrives, such as by:

Stocking up on some winter essentials for your car, especially an ice scraper and a can of de-icer.
Learning how to stay safer when driving on Britain's hazardous roads (e.g. wearing hi-viz clothing).
Discovering how to save money and keep on motoring for less in the winter. One way is to join the Halfords Motoring Club.

Pro Tip: It's not uncommon for some garages in the United Kingdom to offer free winter checks on your vehicle – it's always a good idea to ask. Don't forget to keep some spare parts handy in case they need replacing.

Using the "POWER" Winter Driving Tips

Petrol (fuel): Are you going to have enough fuel to complete the journey? Have you checked local road alerts about any delays or diversions? Do you know where you can fill up your car if you start to run low on petrol?
Oil: Motoring experts recommend checking the oil levels at least once per month. In other words, check to see if you need to top up the engine oil before you drive in bad weather.
Water: Make sure the radiator level is adequate and add some antifreeze to stop the water from freezing up. It's also a good idea to top up the windscreen washer bottle with a drop if cleaning solution.
Electrics: You can avoid the common battery problems if you know how to jump start a car with leads. But, you should always check that the car lights are working once the engine is running. Keep a few spare bulbs (e.g. inside the glove box) in case you need to replace them.
Rubber: There should also be plenty of tread on the tyres. In fact, a minimum of 5 mm is best when driving in bad weather. Make sure the tyres are correctly inflated and don't forget to check the rubber on the wiper blades.

Important: Another section explains how to tell the age of a tyre using the Department of Transportation (DOT) code numbers stamped on the sidewall.

Are You Feeling "Driver Ready"?

One of the most important parts of any winter driving checklist is determining whether (or not) you are fit enough to drive a vehicle on public roads.

So, ask yourself, did you have adequate sleep and are you taking any medication that could impair your driving?

Here are some of the common impairments that make driving more dangerous:

Alcohol (including recreational drugs)
Fatigue (tiredness)
Using mobile phones in a car

Next, if the roads are covered in snow and ice, is the journey you are about to take an absolute necessity? The Automobile Association (AA) recommends not to drive in bad weather unless you really need to.

Remember, having to clear ice from the car windows indicates that there will be frozen ice (sometimes known as black ice) on the roads too!

List of Items for Wintertime Driving

The following items will help you prepare your car for winter driving in the United Kingdom. A comprehensive list of things to put in a winter car kit should include:

Blanket (e.g. travel rug)
Bottle of drinking water
Emergency warning triangle
First Aid Kit
Flask of hot drink
Food and snacks
Hi-vis jacket or vest
Jumper cables
Mat or heavy duty cardboard (in case you get stuck in the snow)
Mobile phone
Snow chains (or snow socks)
Snow shovel and broom
Sunglasses (for driving when the sun is low in the sky)
Tyre inflator
Torch (with spare batteries)
Tow rope
Warm clothing
Waterproof and sturdy footwear (boots,shoes)

Pro Tip: Check out our car repair and maintenance guide for information about tasks that you can fix yourself without having to pay for the services of a trained mechanic.

Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions

Official reports suggest that around 30% of all road traffic accidents occur on roads that are wet or frozen. Plus, most of the car crashes that happen in bad weather are caused by 'bad driving' practices.

Some of the major problems that UK drivers face when driving in heavy rain, fog, snow, and ice, include:

Seeing (and Being Seen)

There will be reduced visibility so always use lights and drive slowly.
The use of fog lights can dazzle other drivers. So, only use car fog lights when the visibility ahead is less than one hundred (100) metres.
You should be prepared to come across stationary traffic on some roads.

Steering

Avoid steering while you are braking because it can induce a skid.
Instead, brake gently (especially before cornering) to get the appropriate speed.

Speed

Traveling faster means you will need extra space and time to stop the vehicle.
Hence, managing your speed will help you preserve safe distances from vehicles ahead and behind.
Having a two (2) second gap is appropriate when driving in good weather. But, a minimum of five (5) seconds is better on a wet road and make it at least ten (10) seconds when driving on ice.

Stopping

Sudden, harsh movements (or making late decisions) can cause skidding. So, always assume that the road will be slippery.
Using gentle gear changes in good time will help to lessen the need to brake sharply.

Skids

Skidding means the vehicle is out of control. In general, it will skid in the direction that the heaviest part is moving (usually the engine compartment).
If the vehicle starts to skid, take your feet off the pedals and allow the wheels to grip the road again before regaining control of the vehicle.