Nottinghamshire County Council gritters have been out in force and the authority have advised citizens how to prepare their vehicles for winter driving
Gritters were out again last night (Wednesday, January 11) for the fifth day in a row across the county.
Road temperatures of below zero have been experienced lately and Nottinghamshire County Council has advised on how to properly prepare your vehicle safely for winter conditions.
Ensuring that vehicles are correctly prepared could potentially prevent problems for residents on the road.
Tyres
• Tyres should have a legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm over the central three-quarters of the tyre
• The recommended minimum tread is 3mm
• Check them regularly for damage – bulges, cracks, slow punctures
• Check your tyre pressure meets the level recommended for winter conditions.
Anti-freeze
• Anti-freeze should be changed at least every two years as part of your service
• You need a 50-50 mix of anti-freeze and water.
Screen Wash
• Ensure that you add screen wash to your washer bottle and top it up regularly
• Don’t add anti-freeze to your windscreen washer bottle – it is corrosive and will damage paintwork.
Battery
• The average life of a battery is five years
• Remember that during winter months the battery will drain more quickly with the additional use of electrical items such as heaters, lights, and heated rear windscreen.
Inside the car
Make sure you’re ready for winter by preparing an emergency kit containing the following:
• Ice scraper
• De-Icer
• Torch and spare batteries
• Warm clothes and blanket
• Boots or sturdy footwear
• First aid kit
• Sunglasses
• Road atlas and/or sat nav
• Personal medication.
For longer journeys or during severe weather you should also carry:
• Jump leads
• Mobile phone charger
• Shovel
• Food and warm drink
• Reflective warning sign.
Drivers are also advised to check information on traffic and road conditions before setting off on their journey.