Winter weather warning: how to prepare your car for ice and snow
With the Met Office issuing weather warnings for snow and ice across parts of the UK, the experts at Go.Compare are warning Brits to check their cars to ensure they are prepared for the weather now.
A recent survey from the comparison website revealed that as many as 39% of motorists aren’t planning on doing any preparation to make sure their car is fit for the colder weather.*
Just under half of those who took part in the survey (44%) said that they either have or will be doing some vehicle checks ahead of winter. And of those who said they would be prepping their car, 70% said they’d be making sure their tyres are in a good state, 52% will be checking their wiper blades and a further 48% said they would be reviewing their oil levels.
Tom Banks, Go.Compare car insurance spokesperson, commented: “With snow and ice arriving in the UK, it can be an exciting time but can also cause significant disruptions to travel plans, so it’s worthwhile spending some time preparing your car for the colder weather- – even if this is just reminding yourself how your fog lights or full beam work. It’s also worth taking the time to make sure your tyres, windscreen wipers, bulbs and oil levels are all in a good state of repair before the winter begins, as well as making sure your breakdown cover is still valid and up-to-date – just in case.”
Go.Compare has compiled a guide for winter driving, which includes some helpful tips for those who will be driving in extreme weather:
- If there’s ice and snow around, make sure you clear your car’s windows, mirrors, numberplate and lights of ice or snow before setting off – and remember it’s illegal to drive with snow on top of your car.
- Be careful not to use warm or boiling water to defrost your car’s windscreen as this can cause it to crack, particularly if it already has a chip or crack in it.
- Give yourself extra time on your journey if you can/
- Don’t leave your car unattended and unlocked with engine running while demisting it, as this could invalidate your insurance if it is stolen.
- Organise an emergency kit to keep in your car. Things such as a blanket, water and some long-life snacks, and even a small spade, will come in handy should you get stuck in your car in cold weather.
For more information and tips for driving in extreme weather conditions, please visit: https://www.gocompare.com/motoring/guides/winter-driving-guide/
Contact Information
Rubie Barker
Notes to editors
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Notes to editors
*These findings are from a study released by Sago between September 4-7, 2024, among a random selection of 2,349 of GB adults ages 18+ who are online panelists of Sago’s Community.
The results were weighted by age, gender, region, and ethnicity to match the population, according to Census data. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size has an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals when compared to the data tables are due to rounding. Excerpts from this release of findings should be properly attributed, with interpretation subject to clarification or correction.
Sago is the global research and data partner that connects human answers to business questions. Combining a legacy of impact, global reach, and innovative spirit, Sago enables clients to solve business problems through extensive audience access and an adaptive range of qualitative and quantitative solutions.
For further information please contact:
Lynsey Walden or Rubie Barker at Go.Compare on lynsey.walden@gocompare.com or Rubie@fdcomms.co.uk
Keep up-to-date with GoCompare on Twitter; @GoCompare
About Go.Compare
Go.Compare is a comparison website that enables people to compare the costs and features of a wide variety of insurance policies, financial products and energy tariffs.
It does not charge people to use its services and does not accept advertising or sponsored listings, so all product comparisons are unbiased. Go.Compare makes its money through fees paid by the providers of products that appear on its various comparison services when a customer buys through the site.
When it launched in 2006, it was the first comparison site to focus on displaying policy details rather than just listing prices, with the aim of helping people to make better-informed decisions when buying their insurance. It is this approach to comparing products that secured the company an invitation to join the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) in 2008, and it is still the only comparison site to be a member of this organisation.
Go.Compare has remained dedicated to helping people choose the most appropriate products rather than just the cheapest and works with Defaqto, the independent financial researcher, to integrate additional policy information into a number of its insurance comparison services. This allows people to compare up to an extra 30 features of cover.
Go.Compare is part of Future Plc and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
More information can be found here www.gocompare.com or here https://www.futureplc.com/brands/.