Driving tips for winter 2022

As the weather changes, your driving style should adapt to suit it. Make sure to keep a safe distance from vehicles in front - stopping distances in winter conditions can increase up to ten times.

You should also make sure to at least triple your stopping distance when approaching junctions, breaking smoother, sooner.

Check your tyres

You need as much grip as possible when tackling snow and ice - so it is extremely important to check your car tyres have suitable tread depth – this also includes your spare tyre. 

For a full guide on the best way to check your tyres - read our tyre safety guide.

In the UK, the minimum legal requirement for the tread depth is 1.6mm across 75% of the width of the tyre.

Check visibility

If you are driving down the road peering through a tiny porthole on your windscreen you are taking a huge risk – this is not legal and it’s definitely not safe.

If time is not in abundance try to get in your car 10 minutes before you would normally so you have time to clear your windscreen, mirrors and lights – also ensure that number plates can be seen.

Driving on snow or ice

Snow and ice – like we can see in many areas of the UK at the moment – cause hazards on the roads. Control over your car is significantly diminished and braking distances extend. 

To remain safe on the road it is important that you drive slower than you would normally and also to stick to busier sections of the road network – these are the areas that are gritted first by councils and the amount of traffic tend to help keep the surface clear.

Other tips for driving on snow and ice include accelerating and braking gently - using as high a gear as is feasible to help reduce the chances of a wheelspin.

Pack a Winter Kit

Making sure you have a few essentials in your car is important in winter. Keeping an ice scraper, shovel, de-icer, screen wash, water, something to eat and something warm like a blanket or heavy coat.

Also remember to carry a phone charger with you, rechargeable power banks are great. These small essentials could be vital in keeping you safe in an emergency.

All season tyres

The winter temperatures may be hitting us a little later than normal this year, but it is not too late to consider all season tyres. 

Designed to cope with all sorts of conditions - good performance delivered throughout the year. Moderate natural rubber content to stop the tyre hardening in temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius – enhancing grip.

Designed with moderate tread depths that have been engineered to help deliver a longer tread life than many summer tyres.

Blackcircles.com stocks a comprehensive range of all season tyres from all the leading tyre manufacturers, all at competitive prices.

Plus we can arrange for you to have your car’s new tyres fitted at a time and local garage best-suited to you.