Winter is Coming…

It’s that time of year again. The days are grey, the nights cold, the papers are doom-mongering, and the weather defies all prediction. It can only be the British winter.

The season brings with it many challenges, not least of all while driving. There’s not a whole lot that we can do to stop the low sun dazzling you or the roads freezing, but there are a few things you can do to make things just a little easier for yourself. In the interest of keeping us all safe, there are a few things that we recommend for these months. 

Winter Health Check

Your car is a complicated machine. Modern technology makes today’s vehicles reliable, efficient, and comfortable, but things can still go wrong. Wear and tear happens, and some things can’t be avoided. That’s why we suggest checking a few essentials. 

Good tyre depth will stop you from skidding, working bulbs will let you see through the driving rain, and a full washer bottle will keep your windscreen crystal clear. A lot of these little checks can easily be done with your car at home, but we offer these checks for free – it doesn’t take long, and it might just set your mind at ease.

Emergency Kit

No matter how well you’re prepared, sooner or later something will go wrong. It might be as simple as a frozen windscreen, or as bad as a flat battery. When these things happen, with a little foresight, you can be ready for them.

I have a box that I keep in my car almost all year round for this very purpose. An eclectic collection of items live within. Gloves, a set of waterproofs, a bottle of water, de-icer, a scraper, all that sort of thing. I’ve been fortunate enough to never have to use them as of yet, but when that day comes, I’ll be ready. Probably.

Know Your Route

With smartphones, it’s so easy to just sit back and follow your GPS on long journeys. Modern technology truly is a wondrous thing. But, such convenience can’t plan for everything the world might throw at us. However, you can.

Traffic. Road closures. Diversions. By leaving early you won’t have to drive quickly to make up lost time, making it a safer journey. If you know the major landmarks and towns on your route before leaving, you won’t be caught short if Google Maps steers you wrong or your phone runs out of juice. Taking a break on a longer trip will keep you fresher, more awake, and safer. All these might seem like minor points and common sense, but you’d be amazed at how few of us actually do them, and just how big a difference they can make.

Drive safe out there.

Any thoughts or questions on our suggestions? Got a tip we’ve missed? We’d love to hear from you, so comment or get in touch!