Winter driving myths debunked – from Highway Code rule to speedy de-icing ‘hack’

From making an attempt to grapple icy and snowy circumstances to battling lowered highway visibility, winter driving can lead to a variety of dangers.

And whereas well-meaning motorists are sometimes eager to share their ‘hacks’ for staying secure in chilly circumstances, it’s smart to avoid sure ‘tips’, in line with consultants.

Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, has lifted the lid on a number of the most typical items of winter driving recommendation that don’t really stand as much as scrutiny.

READ MORE: You’re defrosting your windscreen improper – frequent error can land you with wonderful

Check out extra actual life tales right here

So be sure to pay attention up and keep secure on the roads on the market this winter!

MYTH 1: Pour boiling water on an iced-up windscreen

TRUTH: Graham claimed this is without doubt one of the most evident winter driving errors, however one to flag as soon as extra nonetheless.

He mentioned: “You may be rushed for time, but pouring boiling or warm water on an iced windscreen is a big no-no. Sudden changes in the temperature of glass can cause splits and cracks to appear. Even lukewarm water poured on freezing cold glass can cause it to fracture, particularly if there are already small cracks in the windscreen. And don’t forget that boiling hot water can also damage paintwork.”

Instead the professional suggests utilizing a devoted de-icer, a scraping software, and a few elbow grease

MYTH 2: Engines want a couple of minutes to heat up within the chilly

TRUTH: Most trendy automobiles are warmed up and wonderful to drive roughly 15-30 seconds after the engine has began, in line with Graham.

He added: “There’s even a school of thought that says repeatedly ‘warming up’ your engine for prolonged periods of time can actually shorten the unit’s life, because you’re stripping away oil from the cylinders and pistons.

“This ‘myth’ is a hangover from a long time in the past, when previous engines had gasoline methods that relied on carburettors, slightly than trendy gasoline injectors. Carburetors did want warming up, trendy engines don’t.”

MYTH 3: Fog lights should all the time be on in foggy circumstances

TRUTH: Graham mentioned it may be tempting to show in your fog lights on the first signal of lowered visibility. However, the Highway Code stipulates they need to solely be activated when visibility drops to 100 metres (328 toes), roughly the size of a soccer pitch, in line with the professional.

Turning them on in not-so-extreme circumstances will pose dangers as they ‘dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights’, in line with the Highway Code, which additionally states you ‘must switch them off when visibility improves’.

Failure to abide by these guidelines can see motorists being handed a £50 wonderful.

In foggy circumstances, it’s additionally smart to make use of dipped headlights slightly than the total beam, in line with Graham. This is as a result of the fog can replicate the sunshine again, additional decreasing visibility.

MYTH 4: You can drive with snow and ice in your automotive in case your windscreen is obvious

TRUTH: Most drivers are conscious of the necessity to clear snow and ice from windscreen and home windows, and neglecting to take action can lead to a £60 wonderful and three penalty factors in your licence, in line with the professional.

But Graham mentioned you additionally have to clear snow from different areas of your automotive, notably your roof.

He defined: “Left unchecked, the snow sitting on a car roof might slide onto your windscreen when you brake, obstruct the rear window as you speed up, or pose a hazard by blowing into the path of other traffic.”

Graham additionally claime to not neglect your quantity plates, as driving with obscured plates because of snow, ice, or mud might result in a hefty £1,000 wonderful if caught. You may also find yourself trapped in a parking lot that depends on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to examine vehicles out and in.

MYTH 5: Insurers will all the time pay out when you crash on ice

TRUTH: No matter what the highway circumstances are like, motorists can nonetheless be ‘at fault’ in the event that they’re concerned in an accident on icy roads, even when the circumstances have performed a serious position within the collision, in line with Graham.

He mentioned: “In incidents involving other drivers, all relevant circumstances are taken into account, including the standards of your own driving.

“Have you actually adjusted your driving in line with what’s occurring exterior your automotive’s cabin? Keep in thoughts as effectively that stopping distances on ice will be as much as 10 instances longer in comparison with dry circumstances.”

MYTH 6: You should carry a winter emergency equipment in your automotive by regulation

TRUTH: While there is not a authorized obligation for drivers to hold an emergency equipment, Graham mentioned it is extremely advisable, particularly as temperatures drop.

He really useful packing necessities like heat clothes, de-icer, soar leads, and different helpful gadgets because the climate will get colder