Be winter ready in 10 minutes

Quick vehicle checks for cold-weather journeys

Check tyre condition and pressure 

Look out for tears, cracks or bulges in your tyres. For winter driving, many road safety organisations recommend more than the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. If you’re thinking about replacing a tyre in the next few months, it’s better to do it before winter sets in.

Check tyres are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels. A portable tyre inflator is often small and easy to keep in the car, and helps you top up pressure quickly if needed. 

If you live in a rural area where the roads aren’t gritted as often, think about switching to winter tyres for the worst of the weather, or fitting snow chains or tyre socks .

Keep your windscreen clear 

Visibility changes quickly in winter. Heavy rain, snow or spray from passing motorists can suddenly cut your vision, so it’s vital you can clear your windscreen quickly and effectively. 

If you have torn or worn wiper blades, replace them as soon as you can. You should also top up your screen wash with specialist winter-grade fluid.

Make sure your lights are working

With darker mornings and evenings, it’s important to check your exterior lights regularly. Wipe any dirt from the lenses, as grime and grit can build up quickly in winter.

Check your full beam, dipped headlights and fog lights, and replace any faulty or dim bulbs.

Check your fuel level or battery charge

Winter driving can be unpredictable, so where possible make sure you have enough fuel or battery charge to reach your destination. Always allow a little extra in case of delays or detours.

Be prepared for the unexpected 

Start each journey with a well-charged phone. For longer trips, keep a small winter kit in the car too, such as a blanket, gloves, torch, hi-vis vest, water and snacks.

Always carry an ice scraper

An ice scraper is possibly the most useful piece of winter kit, so always keep one in the car. It’s much easier and kinder to your hands than resorting to a credit card!

With those checks done, you’ll be much more ready for the road ahead. And if it’s a particularly bad day, delaying your journey until the roads improve may be the smartest move of all.