Seven top tips on how to winterproof your vehicle

DRIVERS have been urged to make sure their vehicles are prepared for what winter might bring.

Motoring experts from LeaseVan. co.uk have released seven guidelines for UK car and van drivers to winterproof their vehicles, inside and out.

1. Good wheels:

Ensure there is sufficient grip on every tyre to see the vehicle through winter journeys on slippery roads and have accessible wheel chains if travelling through the snow is necessary.

2. Tools:

It’s recommended that drivers keep a snow shovel in their vehicle in case the car or van gets stuck. A pair of sturdy walking boots is also a good idea, if shelter must be sought on foot.

3. Maintenance:

Extra care needs to be taken over the condition of vehicles during the winter months, so motorists should regularly check safety essentials like brakes and windscreen wipers.

4. Clear vision:

Leaving a vehicle parked anywhere during the winter months is an open invitation for a frozen windscreen, so make sure you have a can of de-icer to hand as well as a suitable scraper. It’s also a good idea to pack a cloth or old rag to wipe the glass from the inside, as having the heater on full blast will lead to condensation when the warmth meets the cold air from outside.

5. Keep fuelled:

It’s even more vital to keep on top of filling up with petrol or diesel in the winter, to avoid being left stranded in the cold – so aim to always have a quarter of the tank full.

Keeping yourself fuelled is equally as important and precautions should be taken in case of delays of breakdowns; keep a bottle of water in the car or van, hide an energy-filled snack such as a chocolate bar in the glovebox for emergencies, and on long journeys take a flask.

6. Warm clothes:

All drivers could be vulnerable to forgetfulness on a cold morning, so prepare for the worst weather by making sure there are gloves, a scarf, a hat and a thick pair of socks tucked away in your vehicle.

Should the heating or vehicle itself break down, it is also advisable to have a spare jumper, thermal blanket or chemical heat packs in the boot.

7. Accessories:

The best prepared British motorists will have their vehicle well stocked with useful items to see them through the winter.

A full portable phone charger is a glovebox essential in case of breakdown, an old-fashioned paper map is always an advisable back up to a satnav and a packet of tissues is a must to avoid distraction on the roads.