Now that the cold weather is here it is important that we start to consider what we’ll do if we’re stuck in the cold. One big thing to take into consideration is how your car journeys should be done differently. No one wants to think about their car breaking down but it is important to be prepared in case the worst does happen.
Is Your Car Ready For Winter?
Before you even start to think about doing journeys in cold weather, you should get your car looked at. Regular services are the best way to ensure that your vehicle is in tip-top condition and runs how it should. Find someone who can help with maintenance of your car type and get them to check it over for winter. You should perhaps consider upgrading your car, if you feel it isn’t mechanically sound enough to survive winter. There are loads of choices.
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Preparing The Car For The Journey
Before you go on a long journey in cold weather you should make sure that your car is ready. Making sure that the battery is working well and isn’t more than 5 years old is a good way to do this. You should also make sure that you don’t leave electrical items running too long while the car is stood still. Also make sure that you have plenty of antifreeze too! Before you start your journey, you should make sure that all of the windows are cleared from ice and mist and that your vision is good. If the weather is icy then decent tyres are even more essential than normal – with at least 3mm of tread. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready for your journey so that you don’t have to rush any of this stage. You should Packing Extras Just In Case
It is a good idea to fill the boot with items you might need just in case. As well as items for your car, think about items you might need if you’re stranded. Without a doubt you should have enough blankets for everyone in the car – because being stranded at the roadside without these is a nightmare. A bottle of water and some nonperishable food items are also a good idea to have in your boot, just in case! Make sure you have a phone charger in the car too – a flat phone battery is the last thing you want to encounter in an emergency. If you’re travelling in very bad snowy conditions then a spade could come in handy too!
Emergency Contacts
As none of us want to think about the worst happening, we tend to assume it won’t happen to us. However, we need to make sure we’re prepared in case it does. Make sure that you have emergency contact numbers written down and stored in your car somewhere. If you’re a member of a roadside rescue service then make sure you have all of your account details written down too – in case you need these in order to call them out.