Get Checked Out for Winter, Advises Kwik-Fit

Almost a fifth of drivers surveyed by Kwik-Fit admitted to never checking the condition of their cars between annual MoT tests, and this high rate of vehicular laissez faire has prompted the fast-fitter to wonder whether British motorists have already forgotten the lessons learned last winter. By applying the behaviour of its sample group to the wider UK motoring population, Kwik-Fit estimates that up to six million drivers could be heading into the cold season completely unprepared.

A staggering 61 per cent of motorists don’t check their brakes between MoTs, Kwik-Fit discovered, while 75 per cent risk being stranded as they haven’t checked their battery and 37 per cent have left lights unchecked in the last year. Perhaps most crucially, when considering the importance of grip on wet, icy or snowy roads, a third of drivers have not checked their tyres in the run up to winter. Kwik Fit is thus urging drivers to carry out a winter check, or have Kwik Fit do it for free. 

“Last winter was the most severe for many years, and lots of drivers were caught out,” commented Kwik-Fit chief executive Ian Fraser. “We saw too many stories of motorists stranded by the side of the road, or skidding into an accident. That’s why it comes as such a shock that so many drivers are still not checking major areas of their cars.

“An MoT is a legal reason why a car is checked annually, but drivers can’t rely on checks carried out in spring or summer to keep them safe for winter driving,” Fraser added. “We encourage those who are planning on driving this winter to check their cars are up for it, and prepare for any eventuality. We can perform a winter check for free, and can advise on an emergency pack – such as a spade and a blanket.”

Kwik-Fit’s top ten tips for winter driving are as follows:

1.   Always carry a survival pack in the car, including food, drink and a blanket. This should include extra warm clothes.

2.   Ensure your phone battery is fully charged, and you have an in-car charger. Your phone could be your only safe contact for recovery.

3.   Carry a shovel – in case you need to dig yourself out of trouble

4.   Consider fitting winter tyres, but even if you don’t, have your summer tyres checked. Winter driving means that tyres should have no less than 3mm remaining tread.

5.   Have your air conditioning serviced – it’s not only for summer, an effective air con system will demist windscreens much more quickly, helping visibility.

6.   Have the health of your battery checked – batteries have to work extra hard in the cold

7.   Make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up with the correct concentration of screenwash – windscreens get particularly dirty in the winter months and screenwash will help prevent the liquid from freezing.

8.   Have your coolant checked – the antifreeze needs to protect your engine against the lowest of temperatures.

9.   Adjust your driving style to the conditions – be sensible in the rain, snow and ice.

10.     Above all, in bad conditions consider whether your journey is really necessary.