How to get the van ready for bleak mid-winter, advice from the IAM

As the temperature has dropped, we now have to deal with the glimmering frost that drapes itself all over our cars and vans ( It’s not so much a visually pretty sight as it is a rather annoying one, for me), it means we need to give ourselves and our vehicles a bit more time to get ready for the morning commute to work. I know the feeling when it resembles the arctic in your bedroom, all you want to do is to stay tucked in bed under a nice warm duvet. But, let’s pull our boots up and get to work. A little extra time preparing your van can actually save you time and avoid the hassle if your van breaks down or the battery goes. The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), has published some great advice recently pertaining to motoring in cold wintery conditions.

Britain’s top advanced driver and IAM chief examiner, Peter Rodger, is advising motorists on how to get going in the bleak mid-winter.

Peter Rodger said: “It can take a bit longer to get yourself going on a cold, dark winter morning, and getting the car going is no different. Give yourself the time to deal with the extra things involved in getting on the road.”

Six tips to avoid seasonal car problems:

• A modern car does not need to warm the engine up before being driven, so avoid wasting fuel by not switching on the engine until you are ready to go. But do run it if you need to use the heater/demister before you move off, so you can start with a nice clear screen.


• Clean any snow off the car’s roof and bonnet as well as windows – it seems obvious when you see it all blow off someone else’s roof, but in the early morning rush it’s easy to think it won’t matter, when it does.


• When you get in the car, make sure all extras - such as lights, heaters and the radio - are turned off before you turn the key to start the engine. Starting puts a heavy load on the system.


• Clean your windows inside and out (not just take the ice off) – a dirty screen will mist up quicker than one that’s clean.


• Using the aircon helps keep the air in the car drier, and avoid misting up. It seems odd putting air conditioning on in the cold – but it works! Just remember to set the temperature up as well.


• Think about where you park at night. Some places will be less affected by ice on the windows because of shelter from buildings, or protection from trees – you may be able to save yourself some early morning problems by where you park at night.

 

Rodger said: “Now is the time to check the battery is in good condition that your screen wash has a freeze-resistant additive, and do any other preparation for winter your car needs. Frosty mornings can be beautiful to look at – but awful to drive in if you and the car aren’t prepared for them.”

For more helpful motoring tips and advice, please visit the IAM website.

Now that we have a good basic checklist on how to prepare the van for frosty mornings, the next step is to find a good basic checklist on how to get myself ready for them.