Winter is on its way, and, with it, harsher conditions for driving. And as driving in winter is unavoidable, it’s important that drivers are keeping their vehicles in good condition.
According to an expert at ChooseMyCar.com, the UK’s leading car marketplace, there are several common household items that can help get you and your car ready for winter roads. Whether it’s using a 20p coin to check your tyre tread depth, or cleaning your number plate with a dish sponge, these hacks can help ensure a safer and easier drive during colder periods.
A freezer bag costs just a couple of pence, and, if filled with warm water and rubbed across your car, can quickly remove any ice. Other household items, such as socks, also keep your car safe, as they can stop your windscreen wipers from sticking to your windscreen if covered with them overnight.
Nick Zapolski, motoring expert and founder of ChooseMyCar.com, said that these clever car hacks are effective ways to save money, while also ensuring your car is in the best possible condition for a safe winter drive.
“Parts of the UK have already hit freezing temperatures, and this means that our cars will start to need extra care as the winter period looms. Luckily, there are a number of cheap household items that allow us to keep our lights and windscreen visible without breaking the bank.
“Whether it’s using a dish sponge to clean your number plate, or placing socks over our windscreen wipers to stop them from sticking, these tips may sound simple, but it could be just what’s needed to ensure a smoother drive this winter.
“It’s also vital that you perform further safety checks, such as checking your tyres. If a 20p coin, for example, sticks out in the main groove of your tyres, this could be an urgent sign to get them replaced.”
Here’s a list of items that ChooseMyCar.com says can be used to help your car withstand the frosty season:
A freezer bag
While scraping ice off your car can be a chore, especially if you’re in a rush, there’s a simpler way to do it in less time. Using just a bit of warm water and an XL supermarket freezer bag, all you need to do is rub the bag of water over the ice, with the warm air blowers on, and your ice will simply melt away.
A compass
As strange as this sounds, a compass may be just what’s needed to stop you needing to de-ice your car in the morning. The sun, which rises in the East, can remove excessive ice off your car for you, so by making sure your car is facing that direction in the morning, your car could be clear and ready to use by the time you need to drive. To help you complete this hack, a compass can cost as little as £1.50, and will be able to tell you which way your car is facing.
Dish sponge
Over winter, your number plate will begin to be covered by ice, dirt, or even snow, and, as a result, may be less visible. However, it’s important to remember that it’s a legal requirement to keep your number plate clean at all times – failure to do so may result in a MOT failure and a fine of up to £1,000. To keep it clean, dip your sponge in a mixture of mild soap and water, before scrubbing your number plate. Make sure to be gentle while doing this job, to avoid causing any scratches.
Socks
Your windscreen wipers are more likely to freeze during winter (unsurprisingly), so it’s crucial to make sure they’re good to use while driving. Not just to ensure they don’t snap as you try to clear off any ice or snow, but to also make sure they don’t break your windscreen wiper motor, which can happen if you try to use them and they’re stiff from frost. Luckily, all you may need to do is place socks on them overnight to prevent these issues – socks can stop your wipers from sticking to your windscreen. However, remember that windscreen wipers are fairly long, so you may find that you need to place multiple socks on each wiper, or use longer sports socks, for the most effective results.
A 20p coin
This may sound obvious, but, during winter, it’s important that your tyres are in good enough condition for you to drive safely. There’s actually a legal tread depth for safety reasons – in the UK, it’s 1.6mm across each tyre’s central three-quarters of the tread, and around its entire circumference. There’s a way of checking if your tyres fit the legal requirements, and it’s by placing a 20p coin in the main grooves of your tyre. If you can see the outer band of your coin when doing this, you may need to replace your tyres.
A bowl of water in the passenger seat
You will have less control over your car on icy roads, so, if you brake sharply, you may lose control of your car. For this reason, a bowl of water in the passenger seat can be a great reminder to drive more gently. If you hit the accelerator too hard, you’ll see water pour out of the sides. If you brake too harshly, you’ll notice water on the seat.
Car fuel
As obvious as this sounds, keeping your car fuel topped up, above half a tank if possible, will help keep you safe in your car this winter. The additional weight of a topped up car improves traction on icy roads, which ensures a safer drive. Extra fuel is also crucial in the event of a traffic jam or worse, a breakdown, as it can keep your car running, allowing you to stay warm.
Stephen
