Winter Driving – how do you stay safe and efficient on the road?

As Autumn draws into winter, there are crisp days and cosy evenings to look forward to, but it also means changing conditions on the roads. As we move into colder weather and winter driving, Tusker has prepared a fact file on how to stay safe and comfortable on the roads this winter.

Vehicle Preparation

Check over your car, paying attention to your tyres to make sure that they have good tread and are properly inflated. Top up your washer fluid complete with a defrosting agent and if a particularly cold period is forecast, you might want to think about having an emergency kit in your boot with essentials like a blanket, torch, small spade, and water.

Before you set off in cold weather, ensure all lights and windows are clear of ice and snow to maximise visibility, making sure you can see and be seen whatever the weather.

Driving Adjustments

As the nights draw in and we spend more time driving in the dark, turn off interior lights and dim infotainment screens to help your eyes adjust to darker conditions outside.

When the weather is bad, think about adapting your driving style by slowing down, maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead (of at least two seconds), and using your brakes and the accelerator as gently as possible to avoid skidding. If a skid does happen, avoid braking suddenly.

It’s important to stay aware of changing road conditions, particularly on bridges and overpasses, which freeze more quickly than other road surfaces. Stay alert to the possibility of black ice, which is often invisible and extremely slippery, it is most likely to occur if temperatures have frozen, thawed and re-frozen, so keep it in mind and leave even more space between you and other cars in these conditions.

If you drive an EV or a hybrid

There are a few extra tips that will make your life easier as temperatures fall. While batteries perform best within the 16°C to 28°C range and cold weather can reduce battery efficiency, there are several strategies EV drivers can adopt to maximise their car’s performance in winter.

First, use the pre-conditioning feature to warm up the battery and cabin before driving, ideally while the car is plugged in to conserve battery power. This can be done by using your App, as well as the interior car’s menu. Parking in a sunny spot or a covered garage can also help keep the battery warmer, reducing the energy needed for pre-conditioning. Additionally, instead of relying heavily on the heating system, using heated seats and steering wheels to stay comfortable behind the wheel will use less energy and boost your range.

Driving habits also play a role; adopting a more conservative driving style by slowing down, accelerating gently, and using eco mode (if available) can help extend your car’s range.

Above all, in wintery conditions, it’s better to arrive late than to risk an accident. By planning ahead, slowing down and taking it gently, you can stay safe, comfortable and efficient on the roads this winter.