Car Service Tips

Get set for Winter with Carcraft Autocentres

Winter weather in the UK is notoriously unpredictable, catching motorists out each and every year. However, by following our Get Set for Winter guidelines, you can reduce the risk of being stuck, stranded or even worse...

Helping you guard against winter weather

Before you go anywhere this Winter, pop down to your local Carcraft Service Centre. Our expert mechanics will make sure your car is as ready as it can be for whatever Winter has to throw at it.

• Full professional service that includes checking anti-freeze levels, lights, battery and brakes – all essential elements for safe winter driving.
• Make sure your windows and windscreen are always clean. It’s easy to keep your washer bottle topped up – and remember to keep use the right amount of screenwash to avoid freezing.
• To be on the safe side, it pays to carry a little extra in the boot as well, including a tow rope, spare bulbs, extra fuel, a shovel, hazard warning triangle or similar, correctly inflated spare wheel with sufficient tread, jump leads, de-icing gear (scraper, spray etc.), first-aid equipment, torch and spare batteries, warm blanket, fire extinguisher, wellies, hooded winter jacket and hat.

Planning your journey

A little time spent planning your journey can save a lot of hassle and distress later on.

• Check the weather for local and national forecasts – if conditions are exceptionally bad, you may want to think twice about making your journey.
• Plan your journey, allow plenty of time and let someone know your route and estimated times of arrival.
• Give your car a check before you set off. Are the lights clean and working properly? Is your screenwash topped up? Are your tyres properly inflated? Besides making your vehicle safer, a quick check could also save you points on your licence.
• Let your demister run to clear your windscreen before setting off.

Dealing with winter conditions on the road

Once you’re underway, you may need to change your normal driving habits to deal with Winter conditions.

• Winter weather such as snow, rain and hail all cause reduced visibility, so dip your headlights during the day, extend your stopping distance and slow down.
• Driving in bad weather can be stressful and tiring.To make sure you stay alert, stop and get a cuppa before weariness takes hold.If you’re feeling drowsy, it might also help to open a window and turn down the heating.
• Always try and reduce your speed gradually and in plenty of time, especially when approaching bends and corners.Harsh braking and acceleration will decrease grip on icy roads and could cause skidding.
• If you hit black ice, your steering will feel light, so ease off the accelerator and don’t make any sudden or jerky moves on the steering wheel.
• When it comes to applying the brakes in snowy or freezing conditions, engage a low gear earlier than usual, let your speed drop and brake gently.
• In icy or freezing conditions, you may need to increase your stopping distance by as much as 10 times the usual length.
• Watch out for gritters and show ploughs – if you’re following, increase your distance; if you’re overtaking, do so with extreme caution.
• In heavy snow, stop regularly to clean lights, windscreen, windows, and number plate areas.

Prevent skid situations

There are some simple steps you can take to help avoid skidding and losing control of your car.

• Be extra vigilant about road conditions, don’t brake or accelerate violently.Instead use your car’s controls smoothly and calmly.
• Check your tyres’ tread depths: the legal minimum is 1.6mm.Any less than this and you’ll lose road grip – as well as risking points on your licence and a fine of as much as £2,500 per tyre.
• As well as tread, you need to look at your tyres’ pressure – too high and you’ll lose grip, too low and you’ll burn excess fuel.

Dealing with snow-drifts

Getting stuck in a snowdrift is no fun – and can cause a hazard to other vehicles – so here’s what to do if you find yourself under the weather…

• Select the highest gear you can and gently move the car backwards and forwards to try and get yourself out of a rut.
• Stay with your car until help arrives as abandoned cars can get in the way of rescue vehicles.
• Try not to keep your engine running constantly as this can lead to a build up of dangerous fumes.
• If you do leave your vehicle, make sure you can be seen easily by other road users.

Fighting the fog

Reduced visibility caused by fog prevents drivers from seeing hazards in advance and reduces reaction time in an emergency.By driving with extra caution, however, you can help steer clear of trouble.

• Increase your stopping distance between you and the car in front, always allowing enough room to stop in the stretch of road you can see clearly.Remember, fog also means a wet road surface.
• Reduce your speed and switch on your lights and fog lamps as soon as visibility decreases.
• If there’s a car behind you, switch off your rear fog lamps to avoid dazzle.
• Switch on your windscreen wipers and demister to keep your windscreen clear.
• Try not to focus on the car’s tail-lights ahead – before you know it you’ll be too close to stop in time.
• Fog muffles sound too, so switch off the radio and open the window to listen out for other traffic, especially at roundabouts and junctions.
• Once the fog has cleared, don’t accelerate away – there could be another fogbank around the corner.Could you stop if a broken down vehicle was on the other side?
• Should you breakdown, phone the Police and try and get the car off the road.Avoid parking on fog-bound roads or leaving your car without some kind of warning light.

Flood warning

Flooding caused by heavy rain can cause your engine to stall and result in a hefty repair bill – so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

• If you can’t estimate the depth of a flood, don’t attempt to cross.
• If you are driving through a flooded section, engage first gear but keep the revs high by dipping the clutch to prevent stalling.
• Be careful nearest the kerb as this is where water is usually deepest.
• Check your brakes after passing through flood water before accelerating.

Sun Protection

Sunshine during the Winter months may seem like a nice idea, but can cause real hazards on the road.The sun’s low position in the sky means it can sneak under your visor, making it difficult to make out the road ahead.

• Reduce your speed if the sun is dazzling you.
• Make sure both the inside and the outside of your windscreen are clean and free from marks to lessen the affects of sun-dazzle.
• Dark glasses can help to reduce glare but make sure you take them off once the sun goes down.

Wind Factor

High winds can really catch you unaware causing your car to swerve unexpectedly and steering to become difficult.With a little extra vigilance, however, you can reduce the risks.

• In windy conditions, slow down on bridges, open roads and motorways as they are more exposed to unexpected gusts.
• Take extra care at night as wind-damage can result in difficult-to-see debris being blown into the road.