7 tips for winter driving

How do you drive through the winter without any problems?

It is getting dark again quickly and the days are getting shorter; a sign that winter is coming. Winter often means cold, rain, snow and slippery conditions. How do you ensure that you can also safely hit the road in winter and are bothered as little as possible by the winter weather? Below we give 7 car tips to be well prepared for hitting the road in winter.

1. Check the weather forecast in advance

Always be well prepared when you hit the road in winter. Before you hit the road, check the weather forecast for the coming hours so you know what to expect. If a heavy rain or snow shower is coming, you can consider avoiding it or you can estimate how long the winter weather will last.

By checking the weather in advance, you will be better prepared for what might await you and can hit the road with peace of mind.

2. Clean your car windows and car lights

Another tip for your car in the winter is that you should always make sure that your car windows and lights are clean before you hit the road. Has there been snow? Take the time to remove the snow from your windows, lights and roof. Also make sure your windows and side mirrors are free of ice. If you don't do this, it can cause dangerous situations on the road. The snow that is blown off your car while driving can also be a danger to other road users.

3. Check the tread thickness of your tires

It is wise to prepare your car well for the winter. For example, before the winter starts, you can check whether your tires still have sufficient tread thickness. Winter tires and snow chains can give your car much more grip on the road.

Winter tires

One of the most important tips for your car in the winter is to take winter tires. With (new) winter tires you have more grip on the road. Especially with snow or ice you notice the difference enormously compared to summer tires. The tread thickness of 4.0 mm is also at least twice as much as with summer tires. This makes the braking distance shorter with winter tires, which makes the chance of accidents much smaller. Are you planning to drive through the snow with your summer tires? We will tell you here more about the risks involved.

snow chains

Are you going on a winter sports holiday? Then attach snow chains to your tyres. Snow chains provide even more grip than winter tyres do. This is especially advisable in heavy snowfall or extremely slippery conditions. In the Netherlands you will not need them that quickly, but for some ski areas it is really advisable.

In another blog We will tell you more about how you can prepare your car for winter.

4. Dealing with frost

Do you find frost on your car windows in the morning? Then scrape it off gently with the scraper. While scraping, turn on the engine to warm up the car from the inside. It is important that you do not drive before you can look through all the car windows. What you should definitely not do is throw boiling water over your windows. This increases the chance that your window will crack due to the large differences in temperature.

5. Never warm up the car in an enclosed space

Do you have your own garage and would you like to warm up your car before you leave? Then always make sure you keep the garage door open. The high concentration of carbon monoxide that a car produces can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. This can lead to headaches, dizziness and even fainting.

6. Car battery drains faster

Another winter tip for your car that you should remember is that cold weather can cause your car battery to drain faster. This is mainly because your car has to make more effort to move itself. Using the heater can also drain the battery faster. So check your battery more often than usual in the winter. A battery charger is therefore not an unnecessary luxury.

7. Watch your fuel gauge

Now it is always wise to check your fuel gauge regularly, but in the winter an empty fuel tank can be really annoying. In cold weather conditions condensation of moisture in the air can cause water to accumulate in your fuel tank. If this water ends up in your fuel tank, it can cause blockages in the fuel consumption. So fill up more often in the winter. Don't let the needle approach the 'E', but fill up on time.

Tip:: do not let the fuel gauge drop below a ¼. We also provide more in another blog tips to ensure you don't run out of gas.

Driving in winter weather requires different precautions than normal. Did you rent a car from us in the winter? Check out the 7 tips above to make the most of it and not get into trouble.