Winter can be a dangerous time to be driving.

There are wet and icy roads, strong winds and reduced visibility due to rain or snow. It’s no wonder that accidents are more likely to occur during the winter months. Plus your car has to work harder in cold conditions making breakdowns more common.

Although we have a general idea of when to expect wintry conditions to arrive, the weather can be unpredictable. Evidence of this is in the increased number of flash floods and storms to hit Britain in the last few years.

So don’t get caught out, prepare your car for winter. Make sure it is legal and meets safety standards before winter arrives. Take your car in for a full service as recommended by the Highways Agency. You can take advantage of the winter inspection deals some garages offer to get your cooling systems, brakes and fluid levels, disc and drum, shock absorbers, and steering condition checked by a qualified car mechanic.
There are also car maintenance checks you can do in preparation for winter. Get your car ready with these useful tips.
Tyres
Your car tyres need more tread in wet and/or icy weather. You should have a tread depth of at least 3mm on your tyres. Make sure you know the correct tyre pressure for your car as recommended by the manufacturer.
Battery
Car batteries generally last between 2 and 4 years. Make sure your car battery is fully charged. If in doubt, replace it.
Radiator
If you don’t want your radiator to freeze this winter, check the anti-freeze. Again, if in doubt, replace it.
Windscreen wipers
Check for wear and tear on your windscreen wiper blades. Make sure your windscreen wipers will last the winter. If not, fit new ones. You can also include a winter additive to your windscreen wiper water bottles.
Windows and mirrors
Shorter days and bad weather conditions are synonymous with winter. For drivers this means significantly reduced visibility. You can’t change the weather but you can keep your windscreen clean and clear of any snow and ice. Before you head off down the road, make sure your windows are demisted.
Lights
For maximum visibility on the road, test your lights to see if they are working at full strength. If not, get them replaced. You can also carry some spare bulbs in the car just in case you need to replace one on the road. Keep your lights clear of snow, ice and a build-up of spray.
Emergency kit
Probably the most irritating thing about breaking down is that you never know when it’s going to happen. With an emergency kit in your car, at least you’ll be prepared. The Highways Agency and the government’s Think! Road Safety campaign recommend you include the following items in your emergency kit:
• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch
• Warm clothes and a blanket
• A pair of boots
• First-aid kit
• Battery jump leads
• Shovel (if it looks like snow)
• Food and a warm drink in a flask
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the low winter sun

In case of an accident
Like the weather, sometimes accidents are out of your control. That is why you should always have the right car insurance so you don’t get left out in the cold.