Winter driving tips

First thing’s first… Happy New Year from all of the team at Vasstech Northallerton, Darlington, Knaresborough and now introducing our brand new garage… Vasstech Teesside!

We may be past the festivities of the Christmas period (albeit a few pounds heavier), but we are yet to see the back of the winter weather! Driving during the colder months is something that daunts many of our customers, after all – your car is your lifeline, but could also be a death trap if you don’t take care of it, or understand how to drive to the wintery conditions. That’s why we’ve compiled our expert advice on preparing your car, yourself and driving during the winter months below!

Preparing your car

It’s all well and good having an annual MOT and service, but let’s face it, many motorists are guilty of neglecting their vehicles for the other 364 days of the year. That’s why we’ve introduced our ‘free winter safety check’, to give you that little bit of peace of mind, even when there’s nothing noticeable to worry about!

Free winter safety check

During our winter safety check, we’ll check your wipers, tyre treads, brakes, lights and antifreeze – plus we’ll top up your screenwash, totally free of charge. Any issues we find will be highlighted, and we’ll give you our expert opinion on the best way to keep you and your family safe on the roads this winter.

Got a few concerns about the safety of your vehicle or due a service?

Book your car in for a full service at one of our garages. Up to half of all winter car problems can be prevented by regular servicing and maintenance, potentially saving you a costly bill, or worse… a nasty accident!

Prepare yourself – carry a breakdown kit

This should include a torch, blanket, shovel, hi-visibility vest and food and drink, plus an ice scraper and de-icer. We’d also suggest carrying a fully charged power bank as a backup for your phone battery to ensure you are able to call for help, should the worst happen!

Prepare for long journeys

Before setting off on any long journey during the winter months, it’s essential to check the weather forecast and travel news, as well as your fuel level. At this time of year it’s important to account for unexpected diversions and delays which could catch you out. Remember, more than 800,000 motorists per year run out of fuel on the roads! You should always allow extra travel time to avoid having to rush, as that’s when many accidents occur, especially when driving in the dark! stick to well lit busy routes to avoid snow or ice buildup and reduce the risk of being left stranded on rural roads.

Driving tips

The key here is driving to the weather conditions, but most of all, slow down, stay alert and stay in control.

• When driving in ice or snow, remember to accelerate and decelerate slowly, giving you (and other road users) the chance to drive safely and reduce the risk of skidding. Remember, you’ll have less grip on icy roads, and your normal stopping distance will increase dramatically!

• Try not to fully stop, if you can avoid it. Trying to get going again from full stop in the snow is easier said than done. If you can, slow right down ahead of time, but try to keep the car rolling to sustain some momentum.

• Don’t ‘up’ the power up hill. The grip your car has to the road is dramatically reduced in snow and ice, meaning applying too much power will leave you spinning, but going nowhere! Try and build a little momentum before the hill itself and take it steady from there.

• And finally, if you don’t have to go out in the poorer weather… don’t! A large percentage of accidents caused on the roads during winter could be prevented if less people used the roads, of course, if you do need to use your vehicle for commuting or other commitments, be sure to follow our other tips to stay safe!

We hope our advice on preparing your car, yourself, and driving during the winter months helped with any questions or worries you may have! We had a fantastic 2016, and can’t wait to see what 2017 brings, with an additional brand new garage in Teesside, we’re hoping to help more motorists than ever before!

If you have any concerns you’d like our technicians to take a look at, or would simply like to book in for a free winter safety check, call your local Vasstech garage today, or book online!