Being a professional dog walker will mean you will be required to walk in snow and ice. Driving in severe winter weather poses many challenges. Cars can get stuck in snowy conditions even on familiar roads, forcing the driver and passengers to spend the night on the roadside.
Here is some advice on how to prepare your car for winter driving if you have to make a journey and what to do should you be caught out in bad weather.
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Before you leave
Tyres: Ensure your tyres are inflated correctly and that you have a minimum of 3mm of tread on your tyres to cope with wet and slippery conditions. Invest in snow tires if possible, just remember to take them off in spring and store them for next winter.
Battery: In winter, the battery will run down quicker than in warmer weather. Make sure you do a regular long journey to top it up or trickle-charge the battery.
Engine: Modern engines are more robust than older ones. All the same, depress the clutch when starting as this will reduce drag on the engine when starting, and preserve the battery.
Antifreeze: Make sure you use the right type. Some types of antifreeze need changing after only two years. Check your service schedule. Beware, antifreeze is deadly to animals.
Screen wash: Keep this topped up and use a proper additive at the right concentration to prevent it freezing.
Fuel: Keep your tank topped up - that way if you are caught out, you'll have enough fuel to make it home or run the engine to keep warm. However, it's essential to keep snow from blocking the exhaust as noxious fumes can leak into the vehicle.
Windows: Clear all snow and ice from the windscreen before driving. Do not use water to de-ice windscreens. Hot water can crack the glass, and the water will only freeze again on the screen or on the ground where you are standing.
Locks: A squirt of WD-40 will prevent your door locks freezing up.
Visability: Clear snow off the lights and reg aswell as the windows and roof. Put your heatlights on and fog lights if visibility is very poor.
Extra Warm clothing: Your car may be as warm as toast on the inside but if it stops running or you have to step outside, and you are wet from the walk, you will need to change.
Time: Allow extra time for each journey so you are not rushing and able to take the longer, safer routes if needed.
Always pack the following: a spare warm coat, hat, gloves, boots, socks, trousers and long johns are a great idea too, a blanket to keep you warm if you get stuck. Take some food, chocolate, biscuits, water and a hot drink if you can. Lots of dry towels so you can wrap the dogs in them if you get stuck. Always carry a fully charged mobile, and some old bits of carpet, or cat litter, to put under the tyres when stuck and a shovel to clear snow.
Tips for driving in the snow
Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
Drive slowly, its too late when you realise you are going too fast
The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds.
Go easy on the breaks.
Don't stop if you can avoid it.
Stay in a higher gear for better control, and if it is slippery, in a manual car move off in a higher gear, rather than just using first.
Don't power up hills.
Don't stop going up a hill.
Turn into a slide (turn you wheel towards where the rear is going) and DO NOT break
Walk if you need to
Pay attention to the weather
Don’t stop for accidents or stranded cars along an icy road, it can cause more problems
Icy road accidents happen in multiples
Ice most likely on bridges, flyovers and areas sheltered from the sun
Don’t panic and overcorrect
Plan your journey around busier roads as they are more likely to have been gritted. Avoid using shortcuts on minor roads - they are less likely to be cleared or treated with salt, especially country lanes. Go on the flattest possible route.
If your car gets stuck in the snow (From the RAC website)
Keep calm. Refrain from slamming your foot on the pedal
Clear space around the car. Clear the tailpipe of snow to prevent the build-up of fumes inside the car
Getting free. Increase traction by letting a little air out of the tyres, but without making them visibly lower
Ride the brakes. But beware that breaks can over heat, which will affect stopping distance, so let them cool down
Getting traction. You can buy mats, but a bit of carpet or even your cars floor mats can be used, ensure it is the driving wheels you are using and do not have anyone in the way that could get hit if the mat flies out.
Finally
Slow and steady is the way.
Always be prepared.
If possible, get snow tires in winter, they are worth their weight in gold for keeping you safe.
No matter how prepared you are, if a lorry jack-knifes ahead of you or someone goes into a spin along side you, you could get hit, so keep as far away from others as possible and be prepared to be stuck!
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