One thing to keep an eye on is your car battery. If you, like many others, mainly drive in the dark which include the rush-hour trip to and from work you will be using your lights. Added to this, if the rain is pouring and temperatures are low you will have windscreen wipers and the car heater on. Whilst all these are essential to have on, they put a big strain on your battery and this could lead to it cutting out at the worst possible time.

Batteries do not tend to last longer than 5 years so checking the battery regularly as replacing it will save you the stress and hassle of it cutting out when you are on the road. The last thing you want when it is dark, cold and raining is for your battery to die and to wait for roadside assistance. Try to avoid running car electrics for longer than necessary, this means switching off the heated rear window once the windows are clear. When you start the car make sure that all the non-essentials are turned off and only turn them on when needed.

Driving in the snow or ice can be dangerous even if you are a careful driver. An important thing to be wary of is stopping distances are increased tenfold so keeping a safe distance behind the car in front is essential. Gentle turns and manoeuvres are the key to safe driving in these conditions and when pulling away go into second gear and easing off on the clutch as this will help prevent wheel spins. When going downhill, selecting third or fourth gear will help prevent skidding.

There is a chance you will get stuck in the snow, if this happens then put a rug or something that will allow the tyres to get some grip in front of the wheels. Move on and try not to stop until you have reached firmer ground. Take care this winter and make sure you have provisions such as first aid kit, blankets and water should you get stuck.

To find the cheapest car loan go online as it is a good way of securing the money you are looking for when purchasing a new car and a great way to get car finance for the car.

By Carlos Sintan