How to drive safely and prepare your car during a cold snap
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As temperatures drop and the nights draw in, winter can pose both a challenge and a danger for drivers – especially if you’ve got used to driving during lighter, warmer times.
A pair of status orange weather warnings have been issued Cork, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford, with Met Éireann forecasting "significant snowfall accumulations" on Thursday.
Here are some top tips to help you drive more safely this winter…
Preparation is key and one of the best things you can do is check over your car before winter really sets in. Colder weather puts a greater strain on elements such as batteries, meaning they’re far more likely to struggle or fail at this time of year than in summer.
So, if your battery is struggling to turn the car on, it might be time to replace it.
Remember to check the vehicle fluid levels as well. When it comes to the windscreen washer fluid, you shouldn’t use water on its own as this will struggle to clear windows in the winter months – instead, get a dedicated solution with antifreeze in it.
Having tyres in good condition is especially important in winter, when the roads tend to be wet and grip levels are lower. Make sure they’re correctly inflated, with no signs of damage and plenty of tread. Although 1.6mm is the legal minimum, we’d advise having plenty more than this over winter.
You could also think about choosing winter tyres, but these aren’t necessarily essential.
Leave the boiling water in the kettle and do not, under any circumstances, throw it over your windscreen, unless you want to risk the glass cracking.
Experts advise to start the car first and then use a screen scraper and de-icer if you can.
If you do need to use water, make sure it's cold, it'll actually freeze slower than warm water.
If you’ve only driven while the sun’s up in summer, it can be a shock when all of a sudden it’s close to dark by mid-afternoon. Being visible on the road is really important, so for starters it’s a good idea to make sure all lights and indicators are working on the vehicle (including fog lights).
But crucially, remember to put your lights on at the start of every journey if it’s going to get darker. Even if your car has automatic lights fitted, don’t presume they’ve turned on. Also, all new cars have daytime running lights (they’re mandatory at the front, but not the rear), so you can falsely think you have your headlights on, even if no lights are illuminated at the rear.
Visibility also extends to making sure your lights are clean – it’s worth wiping them every now and again to maximise vision – while never setting off if your windows are fogged up or still covered in ice or snow.
Winter brings much less grip on the road, as temperatures fall and tarmac is more likely to be damp, etc. One of the best things you can do to improve your driving – irrespective of season, but particularly in winter – is to keep your distance on the road.
Whether you’re on the motorway or around town, always ask yourself if the vehicle in front slams on its brakes, would you be able to stop in time? The larger the gap you have from the vehicle in front, the more likely you’ll be to stop before hitting it, particularly in winter when braking distances are extended.
If you can, try to choose a route that stays on the main roads as much as possible. Insurance company Aviva says these roads are more likely to be surfaced better and gritted.
For anyone in the countryside, see if there is a route that at least avoids high ground, which is more likely to be icy and exposed. Don't forget to also keep your lights on no matter how bright it is, especially on back roads.
As soon as the temperature drops to anywhere close to zero, you need to change your driving behaviour. You should avoid any harsh braking or turns of the wheel, as this could cause you to skid and lose control, and make sure you keep your speed down.
Even if a road has been gritted, there may be patches that are still icy, so you should still be cautious. And even if the temperature has increased well above zero, there may be shaded patches that might not have thawed, which is why you should always remain cautious.
Aviva and AA recommend starting off in second gear if the roads are icy. Drive in the highest gear possible, and at a very slow speed when on flat ground. When driving downhill, use the third or fourth gear. If going uphill, keep a constant speed and avoid changing gear.
If your car is an automatic, take a look at the manual override function in order to have more control or see if there is an ice option.
Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you, as stopping distance can be increased tenfold in icy conditions, according to AA.
And of course, if you hit ice never slam the brakes. Stay calm and steer straight through.
The last thing any of us would want to happen is to get stranded on the road in winter, either because of snow or an accident or breakdown. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have supplies in the car to help, just in case worst comes to worst. This includes having food and drink, but also warm clothing.
It’s a good idea to carry a shovel with you too, to help dig you or a fellow driver out in bad weather. Sprayable de-icer and an ice scraper should be must-haves to carry in your car over winter as well.
Keep an eye on your coolant level to make sure your engine doesn’t freeze or overheat.
Engine oil can also thicken in colder weather, possibly making it harder for the engine to start up. Using a thinner oil in winter is recommended.
Aviva recommends keeping your tank at least half full to help to prevent condensation building in the lines, which is at risk of freezing in cold weather.
It's also a good idea in case you do get lost or need to drive somewhere for help.
In bad or colder weather, the last thing you want to do is to be in a hurry on the road, as that’s far more likely to lead to a collision. Leave plenty of time for every journey, meaning you’re less likely to have to rush. If you end up in heavy traffic, it will also help.
You might want to reconsider your route too, particularly if there’s snow or widespread ice. Try to stick to busier roads however, as these will be the ones most likely to be clear and gritted, as smaller rural roads may be more treacherous and are often not gritted.