Some practical tips for winter driving

By Christoph Walter Nov 23, 2011, 2:06 GMT

Munich - With the cold months of the year starting in the northern hemisphere it is time to get the car ready for icy and snowy conditions and it is not enough to simply fit the car with winter tyres, according to the experts from the German automobile association ADAC.

There are at least ten essential items that should be in the car:

- Mats should cover the front windscreen and rear window in the evenings to prevent ice-scraping in the mornings. They should be clamped to the surface with the wiper blades to prevent wind from blowing them away. Newspapers or cardboard are no alternative as they get wet and could freeze to the glass.

- A small brush is an absolute essential to wipe away snow from the windows and bodywork. Never drive off with snow still on the car as the snow could blow onto the windscreen and hamper your vision.

- A snow shovel should be at hand to clear the area around the car tyres, to prevent you from sliding into another car.

- Never use hot water to clear the windows as the glass could crack because of the temperature difference. Use instead de-icer spray also for car locks. But be careful spray should never come into contact with the eyes, mouth or nose.

- Use Ice scrapers with care as they could damage the windscreen surface, especially if there is dirt underneath the ice.

- Windows tend to mist over due to condensation, a sponge or cloth are handy articles inside the car. It could also help to turn on the demisters and to open the windows an inch or two.

- Use vaseline or a talcum powder on the rubber seal around the doors. If a door still freezes up, never open it with force as it could tear the rubber.

- Keep a container of windscreen anti-freeze in the car for the cleaner jets. When driving on slushy snow the windscreen becomes very dirty. This causes heavy usage of the windscreen wipers and cleaner jets. Therefore the wiper jet resevoir has to be regularly topped up in such conditions.

- Keep a a set of starter cables handy, these could be useful for jump-starting when the battery gets depleted in sub-zero temperatures.