Driving during winter is sometimes challenging, and so it’s worth preparing for the season by considering how you’ll deal with those challenges ahead of time. Let’s examine some of the ways we might better cope with the adverse weather.
Demist Your Windows
If you’re going to be driving, you’ll need to be able to see where you’re going. You’ll also need to be comfortable – and that means heating the interior of your vehicle. Of course, sometimes there’s a conflict between the two – as the airborne moisture in your cabin contacts the cold glass of your windscreen, it might begin to condense into droplets which obscure your vision.
To combat this, try to slowly increase the temperature in the cabin so that it isn’t overloaded with steamy air. Aim your heater up at the windscreen and use it to heat up the glass, as this will prevent that airborne moisture from condensing, and thereby clear your vision. Don’t attempt to drive before you’ve cleared the windscreen, as this will be quite illegal – and quite dangerous, too.
Invest In Protection For Your Interior
If you’re going to be indulging in a few wintry walks over the festive season, then the chances are you’ll arrive back at your car with your boots caked in mud. This is obviously bad news for your interior – particularly for drivers, whose pedalling action will almost certainly shake said mud loose all over the footwell. The same is true of snow, which will soak into the carpet and likely not dry until spring finally rolls around.
In order to prevent this, it’s worth investing in protective mats which will ensure that your carpet is protected from this problem. A set of rugged boot mats will do exactly this – just be sure that they’re held into place, otherwise they may slide under the pedals and cause a problem.
Naturally, it’s not just your footwear that poses a threat to your interior. A dirty dog or a bicycle will pose the same problem – and it’s a much larger one that can be stored in the footwell. Fortunately, there exist other devices that can help to solve this particular problem, too. A car boot liner is a sheet of fabric that’s designed to adhere to the contours of your boot.They come in several different forms – with the cheapest not being particularly worthwhile. If you’re willing to make an investment, however, it’s possible to buy car boot liners which are rugged, and designed to adhere to the shape of a specific sort of boot. You’ll find Audi, Ford and Volvo boot liners available online – they’re able to offer considerable protection against whatever stresses might be thrown at them.
Use Foglights In The Fog
If you find yourself driving through fog, then you’ll want to turn your foglights on. The Highway Code doesn’t specify exactly when you should be using your foglights – though it does suggest that you turn your headlights on when visibility dips below around a hundred metres. In the end, common sense should dictate when foglights are to be used.
Of course, if you’re foglights aren’t working, then you’ll be unable to use them – and if you should discover this when you’re out in the middle of the fog, then you might find yourself in something of a pickle. Be sure, then, to check your foglights regularly, and replace them where required.
Prepare For Adverse Weather
During winter, the likelihood of a dangerous spell of wet weather is much higher. In order to cope with this, it’s worth performing a few checks to ensure your vehicle is able to cope with the adverse conditions. You’ll want to check that your windscreen wipers are able to properly function, and that the blades are able to form a tight seal against the glass.If this isn’t the case, then get them replaced as soon as possible.
During winter, you’ll want to give yourself a little bit more leeway when it comes to fuel consumption – since you’ll be using a lot more of the stuff when you’re stuck in traffic. If you find that you’re running low, be sure to get filled up – the last thing you want is to run out of fuel when you’re stranded in the middle of a snowstorm.
Finally, it’s worth considering whether a journey is strictly necessary.If you’re planning a particularly long or difficult journey, then be sure to check the weather forecast before setting out – if the weather looks set to be dreadful, then consider delaying your trip.