Driving in wintery conditions can be unsettling and dangerous at times, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. Different conditions mean you might end up in situations you’re not used to.
Carzone has some simple tips that can save yourself a lot of hassle and guide you to arrive at your destination as safely as possible. Here’s some tips to survive some of the worst conditions you’ll find on Irish roads.
Snow and Ice
- Only drive when it’s necessary!
- Bring a bag of supplies: Be prepared for any problems or delays. Bring food, water, warm clothes, a blanket, torch, first aid kit, fully charged mobile phone, jump leads, shovel, ice scraper, de-icing fluid and grit/sand/cat litter (for traction if you get stuck)
- Plan your route: Stick to the main roads which are safer and more likely to be gritted.
- Get a full tank of fuel: Then if you do happen to get stranded you can keep the engine running to keep warm.
- Make sure your car is fit to travel: Check basic items, like all your fluids are topped up and your tyres aren’t worn out.
- Clear the entire windscreen with de-icer fluid or scraper, not just a peephole: Make sure the window wipers aren’t stuck to the window. Also clear the side and rear mirrors, front and back lights, door mirrors and number plate.
- Clear any snow off the roof of your car: This can easily slide down while driving and block your view again.
- Steer, accelerate and brake smoothly: Abrupt changes and manoeuvres can result in loss of grip and control.
- Listen to the surface: If the sudden crunch of driving on snow stops, you may be on ice.
- If you skid: Don’t break, this may prolong the skid. Take your foot of the accelerator and way for the skid to stop. If you begin to spin, steer in the car in the direction the rear of your car is sliding. Don’t overcorrect, or you’ll need to turn in the opposite direction.
Rain
- Go slow: This may sound like a no brainer, but speed is a serious factor in wet conditions. Speed limits are for normal road conditions, so you should adjust them to ensure you can stop comfortably.
- Manoeuvre lightly: Abrupt manoeuvres will unbalance the car, so steer, brake and turn lightly.
- Don’t use cruise control: Using cruise control is a great feature when its dry, but when it’s wet the chance of losing control greatly increases. To prevent this happening you might need to reduce your speed by taking your foot off the accelerator which can’t be done when cruise control is engaged.
- Use the middle lane: A few inches of water can cause engine damage or aquaplaning. Roads usually slope to the sides so puddles can form there, so by using the middle lane you can minimise the risk of hitting these and continue on safely.
- Keep lights on low beam: When your lights are on high-beam, they can actually reflect off the rain and make your vision much worse.
- Don’t open the bonnet if you do breakdown: If you are unfortunate enough to break down, don’t open the bonnet in the rain while you wait for the roadside assistance to arrive. Wet conditions can soak the electrics, making it more difficult to start the engine.
Floods
- Check the depth: Don’t attempt to go through more than 6 inches of standing water or 4 inches of moving water. Watch other traffic attempt the flooded area if needs be.
- Drive slowly and steadily: Crawl through the water very slowly in first gear. Try to stay on the crown of the road and keep the revs up. Once through, let oncoming traffic pass you and then test the brakes.
- Don’t drive fast: If you speed through a flooded area you could risk aquaplaning and lose control. If you do aquaplane, hold the wheel lightly and lift off the accelerator until you regain control. Air intake on many cars is also low at the front engine bay so only small amounts of water can be sucked in before causing damage.
- Stop water getting into the exhaust by keeping the revs high: Do this by slipping the clutch. This will prevent the engine from stalling.
