1. Carry the right kit

It’s important to be prepared all-year-round, not just for winter, so that you have all the right equipment to hand in the event of a breakdown. With the large majority of people now owning a smartphone, make sure that you take your charger with you. In addition, double check if it can be plugged into the car’s USB ports, or whether you need a USB adaptor to replenish your device using the in-car power socket. Also, put a tow rope, jump leads, a spade and a warning triangle in the boot, and keep a working torch accessible. It’s good practice to carry water, blankets, a first aid kit and a high visibility jacket.

2. Research pays off

Being a member of a breakdown company gives you the peace of mind that help is at hand if you were to need it. Don’t get stranded, and use the internet to search for the most competitive quotes, and take the time to ensure that you get the right level of cover that you need for where you live and use the car.

3. Keep it clean

Grit used to provide added grip on an icy road network can damage the car’s bodywork, so look out for any rust, and touch up any paint chips as soon as possible. If you can, wax the exterior before the cold weather sets in. It’s equally advisable to pressure wash the underside of your car regularly, to remove any salt and solution that could potentially cause expensive damage.

4. Bright lights are best

During periods of inclement weather, lights and fog lamps can get covered in dirt and salt from the road. Make sure that all lenses all work, and upgrade to more powerful bulbs if greater visibility is required. Furthermore, it’s advisable to wipe down the front and rear lights once a week.

5. Check your anti-freeze

It’s an obvious tip, but maintaining the right level of antifreeze is essential. Without adequate levels, sub-zero temperatures can affect your engine. Your manual will tell you the best type of antifreeze for your car and the amount you should use. Also, take a look at the hoses to check that they aren’t blocked or cracked. Never refill fluids straight after you’ve driven the car – wait until it’s cooled down.

6. Have a clear view

In the winter, spray, grit and slush can obscure the view through your windscreen and compromise safety. Your windscreen wipers and washer fluid are the only defence against this. So make sure the wipers are working smoothly and don’t leave streaks (do not use them on an icy surface), and that the washer fluid is always topped up.

7. Keep your battery charged

With colder temperatures, a car’s battery is under even greater pressure during the winter months: the heating’s on full-blast, de-misters are working overtime, and, because of the shorter daylight hours, headlights are on for longer. If the car is not used very often, it might be worth investing in a trickle charger to top up the battery.

8. Tread carefully with your tyres

Balding tyres are a safety hazard at any time, but in winter, the risks of an accident are even greater. Therefore, take a look at all four corners to check that the tread depth is legal i.e. it must be 1.6mm across 75% of the tyre. However, the deeper the tread, the greater the grip. Nevertheless, it’s recommended that tyres with less than 3mm of tread are replaced due to reduced performance. You may even want to invest in a set of winter tyres, particularly if you live in a rural or hilly area.

9. Stop and test your brakes

The roads are wetter and more slippery in winter than at any other time of the year, so it’s vital that your brakes are up to the task. Some newer cars are fitted with sensors that will tell you when the brakes need replacing. Otherwise, you can ask your local garage to test your brake pads, discs and pipes.

10. Get a timely service

You can address many of these winter-proofing tips in one go by paying a visit to your local garage. Many now offer special winter checks, including ensuring tyres are in good condition, mechanical parts are lubricated and essential fluids stay topped up. Remember that keeping up-to-date with the recommended service schedule will help keep your car in good condition all year round – and protect any warranty.
For all-year-round advice for staying the safe on the road, check out our handy tips on the “Motoring Advice” section of this website.

The post Motoring advice for this winter appeared first on The Motor Ombudsman.

We have therefore introduced a handy “ticklist” to guide you through the key questions and considerations when taking your car into a garage for a winter check, and to help you prepare for the colder weather.

For example:

• Is the garage accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s Service and Repair Code of Practice?
• Do you need winter tyres and how much do they cost?
• Do you have an ice-scraper and de-icer in the car?
• Is your MOT, insurance and tax up to date?
• Do you have a shovel at home in case of thick snow?

You can download and print a copy of The Motor Ombudsman’s winter ticklist here and please do pass it on friends, family and colleagues! Alternatively, click on the image below, which will open the ticklist in a new window.

Download our winter ticklist

We’ve also created an editable version of the ticklist for our accredited businesses.

If you’d like a copy that you can tailor with your company logo and contact details to send to your customers with your latest winter offers, please drop us an e-mail at business@tmo-uk.org.

The post Tick all the boxes this winter appeared first on The Motor Ombudsman.

With the mercury dropping and the first snowfalls arriving in parts of the UK, conditions on the road are becoming more challenging, making it time in some regions to consider switching to winter tyres. Also, if you’re planning to head abroad this Christmas, it’s worth doing your research, because in some EU countries such as Austria and Germany, it’s not legal to drive during the winter months without suitable tyres fitted to your vehicle.

What are the main differences between winter and regular tyres?

Winter tyres or “cold weather” tyres use a type of rubber which has a high silica content, and a softer compound than a regular “summer” tyre. The tread pattern, which features fine grooves or “sipes” cut into each tread block, has been designed to stay flexible in low temperatures, i.e. those below seven degrees centigrade, and to drive down stopping distances in the snow, ice and during periods of wet weather.

Studded tyres, which use radial force and the weight of the car to increase grip and traction, are different to winter tyres and are not legal in the UK.

How do I recognise a winter tyre?

Apart from the different tread pattern, a winter tyre has a snowflake or a snow-topped mountains symbol on the sidewall. However, the same rules apply in terms of the minimum legal tread depth – 1.6mm across three quarters of the circumference of the tyre.

Do I need to change two or all four tyres?

When switching to winter tyres, it is recommended that they are fitted to all four wheels so as to not upset the stability of the car. If you opt for replacing just two, the rear wheels are more likely to skid on a front-wheel-drive car, whereas on a rear-wheel-drive car, the vehicle could skid straight on in a corner and the stopping distance can be significantly reduced.

Wouldn’t it be easier to just have winter tyres all-year round?

Not necessarily. Winter tyres wear down more quickly in higher temperatures, which means that they would have to be replaced more frequently than summer equivalents.

Do I need to tell my insurance company if I fit winter tyres?

This can vary depending on the insurer as to whether you need to inform them about changing to winter tyres, but the majority of insurance companies won’t charge an additional premium for fitting them, as long as the tyre size is the same as that originally fitted to the car by the manufacturer. It’s always worth checking with your insurer first, and The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has published a commitment setting out the position of some named insurers on premiums and winter tyres.

Where can I get winter tyres fitted?

To find your local garage which is accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s Service and Repair Code of Practice, visit The Motor Ombudsman’s Garage Finder. Prices and makes of tyre may vary between garages, so it’s worth shopping around.

Also, don’t forget to check out our handy winter ticklist to help you stay safe on the road and at home during the coming months.

The post Getting to know winter tyres appeared first on The Motor Ombudsman.