Whether you’re a fan of sledding, you love to ski, or you’re just desperate for some time off school or college, you’ll be loving all the snow we’ve seen recently.
So, how can you avoid looking like you’re practicing for the next series of Dancing on Ice in your car?! Well, here at adflyer, we don’t just have a great range of motoring listings, oh no! For our first proper entry on the motoring blog, we’ve put together some handy hints and tips about how to stay safe in these treacherous conditions.
Prepare your car
With all that snow, ice and sludge on the roads at the moment, it’s really important to be prepared before you start your journey. First things first, give yourself at least an extra ten minutes to make sure the car’s fully prepared for your journey, and try to plan your route to favour major roads which are more likely to have been gritted. Then, once you’re ready to venture outside, clear all the windows of snow and ice with a scraper and de-icer and check the roof for snow too, as this could slide down and obscure your windscreen.
Without wanting to sound like a complete geek, it’s also a really good idea to keep a little kit of bits and bobs you might need in an emergency in the boot. This should include a fully-charged mobile, a first-aid kit, a tow rope, blankets, warm coat and boots, jump leads and a warning triangle. You might feel like a bit of a numpty being so over-prepared, but it’ll be definitely be worth it if you run into a problem.
Pull away carefully
When you’re pulling away in snowy or icy conditions, it’s best to do so in second gear to avoid too much wheel spin and decrease the danger of skidding or getting stuck in the snow.
Beware the hills!
For some cars, driving up or down hills can be a mission even in the best conditions! So, to avoid any problems, stay in the highest gear possible when going uphill and maintain a steady, constant speed. When driving downhill, reduce your speed before you get there, try to use a lower gear and avoid braking to prevent the car from skidding.
Watch your speed
Driving at an appropriate speed becomes even more important in snowy and icy conditions, as going too fast could cause your car to skid or get stuck in the snow. So, even if you’re in a rush to get to work, keep your speed low and constant. After all, being a wee bit late is definitely preferable to skidding out of control and getting stuck somewhere I think!
Don’t panic!
Even if you’re as careful as can be, skidding is much more common in dangerous road conditions. If and when you find your car skidding, don’t slam on the brakes, as this will only lock the wheels and cause even more problems. Instead, depress the clutch, steer into the skid and carry on steering along the road when you’ve straightened out.
Getting stuck in the snow is also a serious possibility, especially when driving on more minor roads. If this happens, don’t rev or ‘gun’ the engine, as this will make your wheels dig deeper into the snow; simply put the car into as high a gear as possible, slowly manoeuvre the car lightly back and forth, and gently creep out of the snow.
Well, now you’ve read our tips for driving safely in the snow, we hope you feel a lot more confident about venturing out in your car. However, with advice coming in for motorists to avoid making any non-essential journeys, and nearly half of road users reportedly staying off the roads, there’ll be lots of you tucked up safely at home. So, what can you do with all that free time I wonder? Have no fear, because as ever adflyer is here to help!
If you’re looking for a way to pass the time, our motoring section has a huge range of listings for everything from cars to commercial vehicles, mobile homes to motorcycles, with the newest motoring classifieds being posted directly onto this blog. Or, if you fancy a change of scenery, take a look at our other great blogs. You’ll find plenty of news, advice and funny bits on our pet, property and adflyer blogs to keep you amused while you’re hiding from the cold. So, whatever your buying or selling needs, adflyer can help.
