Driving Tips: Snow

I travel in from Milton Keynes every day to Whetstone Audi and as you can imagine it has been a challenge with the recent weather. Here are some of the things I have been doing.

• I put a warm coat and boots into the car. I have also made a cup of tea in one of these cups that keep it warm on your journey.
• I check that there is enough washer fluid that does not freeze in the bottle. You will be amazed how often I use the washers with all the salt on the roads (sorry not much salt in the sides roads I know) .
• I also make sure that all the lights are working as I am very keen to see and be seen. Put a blanket in the car in case you are held up on the major routes. I am often told take a shovel with you , but if I am stuck it is usually because everyone is stuck. Then all I want is a snow plough.
• When de icing the car in the morning I make sure I do not put the wipers on until the screen is clear because the ice cuts into the rubber on the blades and they then do not clear the screen as well.
• Now my car is nice and warm I allow at lot longer for my journey. Normal day for me is 1 hr 15 min drive time. It currently take a couple of hours. But I get here safely.
• Take your time and do not rush for any appointment or chasing to the schools for the children. You need to get their safley and that is the most important thing.
• Use as high a gear as possible 2nd gear normally and as low revs as you can when pulling away on level side roads. In automatic cars when coming down hill manually select a lower gear at the top of the hill and allow the gear box to control the speed on your decent. 2nd gear  works very well in Toteridge lane for those of you who know this road. Sharp decent with a broken water main has tested the driving skill of many this week.
• Allow big gaps between you and the car in front when on the Motorway. Every time someone filled the gap between me and the car in front I just eased up on the throttle and this avoids the stamping on the brakes when the traffic builds up and that sea of brake lights hits you. The amount of cars I have seen go sliding on the Motorway because they have panicked on the brakes and the slid into the car in front.
• Stay relaxed , when you are tense all of your reactions are sudden which is not what you need when you are driving on snow and ice you want it to flow and be relaxed.

Summary:

1. Be prepared, drinks, blanket, boots and a good charge on your mobile phone.
2. Ensure cars visibility is clear and warm and plenty of washer fluid that works!
3. High gear and low revs remember.
4. Take your time and arrive safely.
5. Stay relaxed and give yourself big gaps to work with.
6. Keep safe.

Paul Lacy
Aftersales Manager – Whetstone Audi