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. 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 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 4 TOP UP YOUR ANTI-FREEZE Coolant/anti-freeze plays a vital role 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 WINTER DRIVING CAN INCREASE YOUR FUEL CONSUMPTION BY 43% IF IN DOUBT, ALWAYS ASK YOUR WORKSHOP
5 CARRY OUT YOUR VISIBILITY ROUTINE 6 PACK EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT 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 NEVER USE WATER TO CLEAR YOUR WIND SCREEN, AS IT WILL RE-FREEZE HOT WATER CAN ALSO CRACK YOUR GLASS 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 VIZ JACKET FIRST AID KIT SNACKS AND HOT DRINKS REFLECTIVE WARNING TRIANGLE
7 DRIVE WITH CAUTION 8 BRAKE SAFELY 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 Brakes are the single most important safety feature of your car. Ask your workshop for a winter brake check and replacement if necessary. And 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 STEER IN TO THE SKID AND KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL STOPPING DISTANCES CAN INCREASE X10 IN SNOW AND ICE
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. 10 ASK FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE If you have any concerns about driving this winter, talk to your local workshop. They can help you avoid some of the most common car troubles. BOOK YOUR CAR IN FOR A WINTER SAFETY HEALTH CHECK INSIST ON GOOD QUALITY REPLACEMENT PARTS, SUCH AS TYRES AND BRAKE PADS PARK IN A GARAGE - OR USE A BRIGHTLY COLOURED CAR COVER AVOID DARK OR DANGEROUS LOCATIONS IN FREEZING CONDITIONS LEAVE THE HANDBRAKE OFF, TO AVOID IT FREEZING ON
View our winter driving tips here: Textar is a world leading manufacturer of braking equipment. Our original equipment brake pads are specified by many of the world s leading vehicle brands, and trusted by high-quality vehicle workshops everywhere. For more information about winter road safety, and the latest braking technology, visit: www.textar.com
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