Driving advice Prepare your car for driving in snow

Be properly prepared for driving in snow

When widespread snowfall hits, hundreds of trains are cancelled and staying at home is simply not an option, how do you drive in snow?

Fortunately, the Which? Car team are on hand to offer their expert advice on driving in snow, which should prevent you from calling the emergency breakdown services anytime soon.

Preparing your car for snow

1. Check your tyres

You need as much grip as possible when driving in snow and ice, so make sure your vehicle’s tyres are in good condition and have adequate tread depth – and that includes the spare.

The law requires a minimum 1.6mm of tread across 75% of the width of the tyre, though in adverse conditions, motorists should consider changing tyres when they are down to 3.0mm.

Clean the tyres to look for any sidewall damage that may have resulted from hitting an object obscured by snow, or skidding into a kerb.

If you own tyre chains, ensure they are the correct size for your vehicle.

2. Check under the bonnet

Car batteries rarely last longer than five years so you may want to consider replacing your battery for the winter season. If you see any corrosion around the battery’s contact points, clean off with a wire brush to ensure a strong connection.

You can also protect your battery life by switching off any unnecessary controls, like un-used heated seat for example. Running your engine regularly will also ensure the alternator has time to re-charge the battery.

While under the bonnet, make sure the windscreen washer reservoir is brimmed and you may also consider flushing your radiator and refilling with a stronger coolant-to-water ratio, to help protect your engine during the colder months.

Make sure you consult your driver’s manual for the correct measurements or take the car to an authorised dealer or reputable garage.

3. Check your visibility

Partially obscured windscreens are both illegal and dangerous, so ensure your windscreen, mirrors and lights are clean and your number plate can be seen.

If your windscreen is frozen over, do not use boiling water to clear it, as this could crack the glass. Don't use your windscreen wipers either, as this will damage the wiper blades. Use a window scraper, a can of de-icer and some elbow grease.

Shorter days and reduced visibility will also mean you’ll be using your lights much more frequently, so check their brightness regularly and carry a spare set just in case.