05/04/2021
End of Daylight saving
The good news: You’ve had an extra hour of sleep this weekend!
The bad news: Winter is upon us!
Your commute is going to start getting darker and darker, as New Zealand farewells summer days and enters the coldest time of the year. It’s also a time when problems or weaknesses in your vehicle can show up but good vehicle preparation, knowledge and safe driving will help make sure you get to your destination.
Check out our handy tips to make sure you're ready to roll.
Is your vehicle approaching the time for its next scheduled service? If so, don’t put it off.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR BATTERY
Winter temperatures can cause your car battery to fail and not do its job properly, especially with additional loads such as heaters, lights and demisters. If your car is feeling sluggish in starting or you can see corrosion around the battery terminals, this could be a sign that the battery isn’t working as well as it should be!
To keep your battery and car running all year round, make sure your car is started and driven regularly. If possible, park in a garage.
TYRES - GET A GRIP
All the control you have is delivered through four palm-sized patches of rubber where the tyres meet the road.
Make sure your tyres are properly inflated. Over-inflation can reduce the gripping action of tyres because the tread will not meet the road surface as it was designed to do.
If the tread depth of your tyres is getting low, it may be worth having them replaced, even though they have more than the minimum tread depth of 1.5mm. If possible, tyres should be replaced before the tread depth drops to the minimum. There’s evidence that a 3mm deep tread can stop a vehicle on a wet road in a distance that’s 25 percent less than a tyre with 1.5mm deep tread.
Check the manufacturers wear indicator mark on your tyres to see if they need replacing. All tyres have tread wear indicators, which are small bars of rubber found between the tread blocks of the tyre. When the tread is worn flush with the tread wear indicators, the tyre has reached its wear limit and must be replaced as it no longer provides sufficient grip.
SEE CLEARLY
Winter often means reduced visibility, so you need to allow additional time for every trip. Before you hit the road check your windscreen is clean and wipers are working properly. If your wiper blades are over 12 months old, we recommend you get them checked to avoid streaks.
Ensure you can see out of every window and mirror.
Your air-conditioning system is your friend. Many people only associate it with staying cool during the summer months, but it’s equally vital for ensuring good visibility during the colder months. Get your system checked, and allow it time to work properly. Clear a foggy windscreen by starting your demister with cold air, then gradually increase the temperature.
Look out for vulnerable road users like cyclists and runners – they may be especially hard to see along dimly lit roads.
And make sure people can see you. Ensure your lights are all working properly and are correctly adjusted. Driving with lights on, day or night, can help with visibility. Remember to keep them dipped when travelling in foggy conditions; blasting them on to full only results in the light being reflected straight back at you, making visibility even harder.
If the weather is severe, you may have to take a break - wait until conditions have improved and you feel confident you can see the road and what’s ahead before continuing.
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
If you’re travelling out of town, make sure you know what you’re in for.
The sun is low in the sky for most of winter so be prepared for sun-strike. It’s especially important to keep your front and rear screens clean.
The golden rule when facing a flooded road is: never risk driving through it. It is very difficult to judge how deep the water is and, if the water is moving fast, what is being carried along in its flow.
Don’t expect other drivers to be as well prepared – allow plenty of room between you and your fellow motorists. And, give them even more when the weather is poor – double the two second rule and give yourself four seconds.
BRAKE SAFELY
If in winter conditions you get into the uneasy situation of a wheel-spin, ease back on the pedal immediately until you feel the tyres grip again. Apply the same principle when braking. Brake gently at first then increase the pedal pressure progressively.
Remember, don't steer if you are braking or accelerating and vice versa.
THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE WITH YOU
It makes sense to have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher in the car, but there are other things you should consider for the colder months too, not just tools for changing a tyre. A torch, a mat or cover to protect you from the ground should you need to change a tyre, a disposable raincoat or poncho and protective gloves are all helpful. A multi-tool or Swiss-army type knife can be handy too.
An emergency reflective triangle and a high visibility vest can be the difference between someone spotting you stranded on the side of the road and colliding with you.
