Winter driving tips: Vehicle checks and advice for emergencies

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In light of the recent weather conditions it seems apt to cover winter driving this week. As I am writing this it is snowing outside and it is already settling on the roads.

At Kodiak we normally begin targeting these issues in October. Although it's technically not winter, it is a good time to start checking things like tyre treads, which can often be forgotten until the first snow falls.

In Britain the minimum legal tyre tread depth is 1.6mm across the central quarter of the tyre, but in winter weather a tread depth of 3mm – almost double that – is recommended.

Additional vehicle checks should include:

• Anti-freeze – in winter weather a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water should be used
• Windscreen wipers – the condition of blades should be checked and worn blades should be replaced
• Screenwash – should be topped up and treated with a proprietary additive during winter weather to prevent it from freezing (engine anti-freeze should not be used as this can damage the vehicle paintwork)
• Vehicle lights – should be clean, angled correctly and in full working order

The weather conditions can drastically affect vehicle stopping distances. On a normal dry road it is advisable to maintain a gap of at least two seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front. In wet conditions, it takes twice as long to stop, so this gap should be increased to four seconds. In snow or ice stopping distances are ten times as long – so a gap of 20 seconds is recommended.

During the snow and ice there is an increased risk of vehicles getting stuck and leaving drivers stranded. It is advisable to be prepared and carry emergency items including a:

• Torch
• Tow rope
• First aid kit
• Warning triangle
• Snow shovel
• De-icer and ice scraper
• Fully-charged mobile phone
• Set of battery jump leads
• Flask of warm drink
• Snack such as a chocolate bar
• Warm clothing including coat, hat, scarf, gloves and boots

Our database contains posters covering a wide variety of winter driving issues. If you would like to see what we have available, why not call us for an informal chat.

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and safer, please call us on: 01530 456 000 
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