About driving in winter
1. Use public transport instead of your car when there is a risk of snow or ice
2. Use winter tyres. However, the use of winter tyres does not mean that you can drive in the same way as in summer (steering, braking).
3. Our company, in cooperation with its partner organisations, will do its best to ensure that roads are free of snow and slush, but we cannot guarantee summer travel conditions. Remember: whether the road is cleared or not, you should always choose the speed appropriate to the road conditions to ensure safe, accident-free driving.
4. When overtaking cyclists or pedestrians in slippery, snowy or icy road conditions, aim for a significantly greater lateral distance than usual, sa Unfortunately, it is common for cyclists and pedestrians to slide in front of the vehicle.
5. A thick layer of snow frozen on the roof can slide forward during braking and completely obscure the front windscreen, blocking the driver’s view.
6. It is particularly important to check and clear the wiper blade before it is operated, including at the rear where fitted, of course.
7. The rubber surfaces of the door should be regularly sprayed with a silicone-based rubber conditioner to prevent the door from freezing, tearing the rubber when opening.
8. It is also a good idea to keep a small bucket of sand, a small shovel or a small snow shovel in the vehicle, a useful aid when getting out of a parking lot.
9. Pay special attention when turning from major collector roads into smaller streets: your vehicle may suddenly skid if you turn into a street that has not been de-skidded.
10. Signal your intention to turn in good time and earlier than usual, especially at roundabouts, so that other road users can react in time to your intention to turn
11. Pay more attention to the road surface than usual. If temperatures remain below freezing, you can expect freezing anywhere, with a bucket of mop water spilled on the street, melt water running from rooftops onto pavement and you’re in trouble.
12. Find out if your vehicle has anti-lock braking system (ABS)! ABS ensures that the vehicle does not skid when braking, even when driving on icy roads. If it is working properly, the vehicle will remain steerable under braking. When the ignition is switched on, an indicator light will come on if the ABS system is present and then go out after a few seconds, possibly after the engine has been started. If this or a similar indication appears on the instrument panel while driving, the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system is signalling a fault. Contact a workshop immediately!
13. If you know your car has ABS, make sure it works. On a deserted dirt road or in a large, empty car park in rainy or icy weather, carry out an intensive, sudden test braking manoeuvre. If you feel an unusual vibration on the brake pedal and hear a clicking sound after a very hard, sudden depression of the brake pedal, the ABS is working. If not, the wheels are skidding and the vehicle is most likely trying to break to one side or the other. This test should, of course, be carried out at a suitably low speed, perhaps by asking a knowledgeable person with considerable experience.
14. Check the weather forecast and leave in time to reach your destination.
15. Always have an ice remover, broom, bucket of sand, snow shovel in the car. And an ice remover in your pocket. If you are going on a longer journey, bring a snow chain, warm clothes and a blanket.
16. Don’t forget to check the freezing point of your coolant and window washer fluid. 17. For diesel vehicles, add a de-icing additive to the diesel you fill up with in the summer – before the temperature drops below freezing. In winter, always ask if the gas oil contains a dew point depressant. If not, either choose a petrol station that does, or pour the right amount of additive into the fuel tank through the filler cap before filling up. If the paraffin has already precipitated, the only solution is to tow it to a warm place and wait until the vehicle has warmed up before the paraffin dissolves back in.
17. It is worth taking driving lessons from a specialist company, or perhaps practising driving under these conditions on a training course.
2. Use winter tyres. However, the use of winter tyres does not mean that you can drive in the same way as in summer (steering, braking).
3. Our company, in cooperation with its partner organisations, will do its best to ensure that roads are free of snow and slush, but we cannot guarantee summer travel conditions. Remember: whether the road is cleared or not, you should always choose the speed appropriate to the road conditions to ensure safe, accident-free driving.
4. When overtaking cyclists or pedestrians in slippery, snowy or icy road conditions, aim for a significantly greater lateral distance than usual, sa Unfortunately, it is common for cyclists and pedestrians to slide in front of the vehicle.
5. A thick layer of snow frozen on the roof can slide forward during braking and completely obscure the front windscreen, blocking the driver’s view.
6. It is particularly important to check and clear the wiper blade before it is operated, including at the rear where fitted, of course.
7. The rubber surfaces of the door should be regularly sprayed with a silicone-based rubber conditioner to prevent the door from freezing, tearing the rubber when opening.
8. It is also a good idea to keep a small bucket of sand, a small shovel or a small snow shovel in the vehicle, a useful aid when getting out of a parking lot.
9. Pay special attention when turning from major collector roads into smaller streets: your vehicle may suddenly skid if you turn into a street that has not been de-skidded.
10. Signal your intention to turn in good time and earlier than usual, especially at roundabouts, so that other road users can react in time to your intention to turn
11. Pay more attention to the road surface than usual. If temperatures remain below freezing, you can expect freezing anywhere, with a bucket of mop water spilled on the street, melt water running from rooftops onto pavement and you’re in trouble.
12. Find out if your vehicle has anti-lock braking system (ABS)! ABS ensures that the vehicle does not skid when braking, even when driving on icy roads. If it is working properly, the vehicle will remain steerable under braking. When the ignition is switched on, an indicator light will come on if the ABS system is present and then go out after a few seconds, possibly after the engine has been started. If this or a similar indication appears on the instrument panel while driving, the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system is signalling a fault. Contact a workshop immediately!
13. If you know your car has ABS, make sure it works. On a deserted dirt road or in a large, empty car park in rainy or icy weather, carry out an intensive, sudden test braking manoeuvre. If you feel an unusual vibration on the brake pedal and hear a clicking sound after a very hard, sudden depression of the brake pedal, the ABS is working. If not, the wheels are skidding and the vehicle is most likely trying to break to one side or the other. This test should, of course, be carried out at a suitably low speed, perhaps by asking a knowledgeable person with considerable experience.
14. Check the weather forecast and leave in time to reach your destination.
15. Always have an ice remover, broom, bucket of sand, snow shovel in the car. And an ice remover in your pocket. If you are going on a longer journey, bring a snow chain, warm clothes and a blanket.
16. Don’t forget to check the freezing point of your coolant and window washer fluid. 17. For diesel vehicles, add a de-icing additive to the diesel you fill up with in the summer – before the temperature drops below freezing. In winter, always ask if the gas oil contains a dew point depressant. If not, either choose a petrol station that does, or pour the right amount of additive into the fuel tank through the filler cap before filling up. If the paraffin has already precipitated, the only solution is to tow it to a warm place and wait until the vehicle has warmed up before the paraffin dissolves back in.
17. It is worth taking driving lessons from a specialist company, or perhaps practising driving under these conditions on a training course.