YOUR GUIDE TO SAFE MOTORING IN WINTER CONDITIONS
Winter brings a host of extra challenges for motorists. Snow, rain, ice, wind and fog all demand additional driving care; and it s vital that your vehicle is always properly maintained and equipped for the conditions. As a world-leading manufacturer of braking products, driver safety is of paramount importance to us. This booklet outlines the key steps you can take to help ensure a safe and trouble-free winter on the roads.
1 Bad weather will quickly expose any faults on your vehicle, so it s very important to service, top-up, and replace all the essentials ahead of the winter months. BRAKES SCREEN WASH ANTI-FREEZE LIGHTS BATTERY TYRES FUEL-FILTER GET YOUR VEHICLE CHECKED DID YOU KNOW THAT OVER 10% OF ALL MOTORWAY ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED BY VEHICLE FAULTS? 2 CHANGE OVER TO WINTER TYRES Winter tyres help to improve grip and control, so make sure you change over at the end of autumn. In addition, you need to keep a closer eye on tyre condition. CHECK TYRE PRESSURES REGULARLY CHECK YOUR TREAD CARRY SNOW CHAINS WHERE NECESSARY REMEMBER, YOUR WORKSHOP WILL STORE YOUR STANDARD TYRES FOR YOU
3 UNDERSTAND YOUR ABS 4 BRAKE SAFELY When driving in slippery conditions, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) can help increase safety, but there s a skill to using them. PRESS THE CLUTCH WHEN BRAKING WHILE STEERING A RATTLING PEDAL MEANS THAT THE ROAD SURFACE IS SLIPPERY, OR THAT ABS IS ENGAGED STOPPING DISTANCES CAN INCREASE X10 IN SNOW AND ICE Brakes are the single most important safety feature of your car. Ask your workshop for a winter brake check and replacement if necessary. Always be aware of the impact of snow and ice on braking performance. LOOK AHEAD FOR HAZARDS AND AIM TO BREAK EARLY BRAKE STEADILY AND GENTLY PUMP YOUR BRAKES EASE OFF SOONER THAN NORMAL ALWAYS AVOID BRAKING ON BENDS AND CORNERS IF THE VEHICLE SWERVES OUT, STEER STRAIGHT BEFORE BRAKING STEER INTO ANY SKID AND KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL ON WET ROADS, DISENGAGE AND BRAKE LIGHTLY TO AVOID WHEEL LOCK
5 DRIVE WITH CAUTION 6 WINTER DRIVING COURSES 95% of collisions are a result of drivers not being in control. Adjust your driving style to cope with ice or snow. SETTING OFF ENSURE WHEELS ARE POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD STAY IN SECOND GEAR AND AVOID HIGH REVS DURING THE JOURNEY LEAVE A FOUR SECOND GAP BETWEEN YOU AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT STAY IN HIGH GEAR FOR MAXIMUM CONTROL CORNER SLOWLY ON UNTREATED ROADS, BE WARY OF DRIVING IN WHEEL TRACKS A winter driving course is a good idea to help you get to grips with driving in difficult and unfamiliar conditions. INEXPENSIVE SKID PAN COURSES HELP YOU COPE IF YOUR CAR GOES INTO A SLIDE GENERAL WINTER DRIVING COURSES IMPROVE YOUR ALL ROUND UNDERSTANDING, HAZARD AWARENESS AND SKILLS ONE-TO-ONE TUTORING CAN EQUIP YOU WITH EXPERT SKILLS FOR DRIVING IN TERRITORIES WHERE HEAVY SNOWFALL AND SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES ARE THE DAILY NORM
7 TOP UP YOUR ANTI-FREEZE Coolant/anti-freeze plays a vital role in cooling the engine and preventing corrosion in your cooling system. And of course it stops your engine from freezing in all but the lowest temperatures. COOLANT/ANTI-FREEZE SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY TWO YEARS, OR 50,000KM A 50/50 MIX OF ANTI-FREEZE AND WATER IS REQUIRED FOR WINTER 8 CHECK YOUR FUEL LEVELS Running out of fuel is one of the most common causes of breakdown. Travel disruption and extra demands on your vehicle mean you could get caught out. AIM FOR AT LEAST HALF A TANK FULL AT ALL TIMES ALWAYS FILL UP WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE PLAN AHEAD AND SCHEDULE REFUELLING POINTS ON YOUR JOURNEY IF IN DOUBT, ALWAYS ASK YOUR WORKSHOP WINTER DRIVING CAN INCREASE YOUR FUEL CONSUMPTION BY 43%
9 PARK SENSIBLY Your journey may be over, but your car doesn t have to be moving to be dangerous. Think carefully about where you park. PARK IN A GARAGE - OR USE A BRIGHTLY COLOURED CAR COVER AVOID DARK OR DANGEROUS LOCATIONS IN FREEZING CONDITIONS AND WHEN ON A LEVEL SURFACE, LEAVE THE HANDBRAKE OFF TO AVOID IT FREEZING ON 10 PACK EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT The risk of breakdown increases significantly in bad weather. So it is important to prepare for the worst and pack emergency equipment. BLANKET AND GLOVES SHOVEL DE-ICER AND SCREEN WASH FULLY CHARGED PHONE HIGH VIS JACKET FIRST AID KIT SNACKS AND HOT DRINKS REFLECTIVE WARNING TRIANGLE
11 CARRY OUT YOUR VISIBILITY ROUTINE Before beginning your journey, always check around your vehicle to make sure that you have good all round visibility and that other road-users can see you. CLEAR SNOW/ICE FROM ALL WINDOWS AND LIGHTS CHECK YOUR LIGHTS ARE WORKING CORRECTLY - REMEMBER TO CARRY SPARE BULBS AT ALL TIMES IN HARSH CONDITIONS, USE YOUR DIPPED BEAMS TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM VISIBILITY 12 GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE Driving this winter does not have to be a daunting experience. Your local workshop or garage will have fully trained and experienced technicians who can help you avoid some of the most common winter car troubles. NEVER USE WATER TO CLEAR YOUR WIND SCREEN, AS IT WILL RE-FREEZE HOT WATER CAN ALSO CRACK YOUR GLASS BOOK YOUR CAR IN FOR A WINTER SAFETY HEALTH CHECK INSIST ON GOOD QUALITY REPLACEMENT PARTS, SUCH AS TYRES AND BRAKE PADS
Textar is a leading global manufacturer of braking equipment. Our original equipment brake pads are specified by many of the world s premium vehicle brands and trusted by high-quality vehicle workshops everywhere. For more information about winter road safety and our latest braking technology, visit www.textar.com TMD Friction Services GmbH Schlebuscher Str. 99 51381 Leverkusen, Germany www.tmdfriction.com Textar ist ein eingetragenes Warenzeichen von TMD Friction E9905900460 09/18 ENG