7 Winter Road Trip Tips
It's that time of year again, when the frost, snow and ice hits and you're left de-misting your car and scraping ice off the windscreen at 7am just to make sure you get to work on time. But what if I told you that there are some things you can do to make your winter road trips easier and safer?
We recently embarked on a trip to Edinburgh, and that's a long way for us, totally around 6 hours, if not longer with traffic and toilet stops. Seeing as it's something we've done not too long ago, I thought I'd share something that we did before setting off on our winter road trip.
1. Bring the essentials
When I say the essentials, I mean things like jumpers and blankets. Anything that will help you to keep warm should your blowers let you down on the heat front or if, god forbid, you break down.Where you might think that this makes up part of your emergency kit, it's just something that allows for creature comforts when you need it most.
This is why I also dub a flask of coffee or another hot beverage as an essential during the winter period. I also recommend having a bottle of water on you as well, to keep hydrated during long hours. To be honest, all of the above are great for winter road trips in general and not just as a way of keeping sane should you break down.
I also like to make sure that I have a change of shoes, ones that are practical rather than fashionable, so I have something for all weathers and terrains. Walking boots are best here. What else do you deem to be an essential? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below.
2. Pack an emergency kit
This is something that sits apart from your essential items. This will consist of things like plasters, a roadside torch, an up-to-date map, a portable mobile phone charger (that is fully charged), a lightning cable for your phone in case your car has charging capabilities, florescent items of clothing, especially outerwear.
I'm sure that you'll be able to buy ready-made kits on the internet, filled with all of the things you might need should you become stranded in all weathers, but it's just as easy, and maybe cheaper, to put your own kit together. It would also be a good idea to keep two fresh bottles of water in the boot, shop-bought ones that are sealed and that have long use-by dates.
3. Do a safety check before heading off
A safety check involves checking all of your fluid levels, your tyres, your tyre pressure and the petrol gauge. You also need to make sure that you have no warning lights on your dashboard. If you do, take it to your nearest car garage so that they can fix the issue. Also make sure that is has a valid MOT and that your car is taxed and insured before heading off.
Also check for cracks in your windscreen, because these will also need to be repaired before heading off. This is because they can worsen should you even go over a bump in the road or hit a pot hole. You need to be safe whilst on your road trip, as do your passengers. Read more about vehicle safety checks here.
4. Wash the car
This might sound like a silly one, but having a clean car makes visibility much clearer for you and your passengers. It makes sure that you can see out of your windscreen, all of your windows and your back window, which is a basic requirement. It also keeps your wing mirrors clean, allowing you to check all angles before manoeuvring.
If mirrors and windows become dirty, it can hinder your ability to see, even if you make a habit of checking your blind spots. Something else it helps with is to ensure your registration plate is visible at all times, which is also a legal requirement. It could lead to a £100 fine if you're stopped with a dirty reg number.
5. Plan your journey
Planning your journey means that you'll be able to get to your destination even should you lose signal on your phone or if your sat nav runs out of battery. It would also be handy to look at alternative routes, just in case traffic is heavy or you hit congestion on the roads. Knowing multiple routes is always beneficial. It also means that you know exactly which part of the country you're in, even if you stop at service stations or truck stops along the way.
6. Make sure the car is fully-fuelled
Your car needs to be topped up with petrol. Make sure you leave with a full tank to avoid being caught out on the way. Not only does this prevent you from breaking down on the roads, but it also saves you money. Petrol stations in the middle of nowhere or those at service stations along your route will sell petrol at inflated prices. Save some money by being organised and topping up before you go on your road trip.
7. Stay warm
I've discussed this already when it comes to essentials for a winter road trip, but I'm a huge believer of having everything on hand that will help to keep you warm. A car, during the winter can become extremely cold very quickly when the engine is turned off, so whether you're waiting in the car while your other half gets a coffee from the service station or you've broken down with no possibility of the engine starting, make sure you have everything you need to keep yourself and your loved ones warm, especially if you have children.
***
I hope you enjoyed this blog post? Let me know in the comments whether or not you have any tips for winter road trips and I'll see you all again very soon with a brand new blog post!
***
WHERE TO FIND ME
PREVIOUS BLOG POST
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Comments
Post a Comment