Winter weather and driving conditions are hard on any vehicle. And if you run into snow or ice, there’s the possibility that you could be stranded.

Here are some tips to help ensure that you and your car are ready for the road this winter.

1. Make sure you’ve recently checked your oil. Ideally, oil should be changed every 5,000 miles. Even if you’ve had an oil change in the last couple of thousand miles, it’s a good idea to check your oil level and consistency. Add some if needed, and if it looks dirty, change it again.
2. Check your radiator. If it hasn’t been flushed out in the past two years, it will probably need to be. Look for leaks and damage, and make sure it’s full of a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Keep an extra bottle in your boot in case you need it, too.
3. Check all other fluids, including power steering, transmission, brake and especially windscreen washer fluid, and add some if needed.
4. Check your tires. If they’re overly worn or improperly balanced, they could cause an accident. Check the air pressure as well, because underinflated or overinflated tires are more prone to damage than those that are properly inflated. Be sure to check your spare, too, in case you need it.
5. Test your wiper blades. When you’re driving down the road and a sudden rain or snow storm hits, it’s not a good time to find out that they need to be replaced. After a frost your wiper blades can get damaged leading to judder or partial wiping. If you need new wipers, don’t get them replaced when you get your car services, especially if you take you car to a franchised service centre. Buy your wiper blades from Halfords, they will advise you on the model you need and fit them for just £2.99 extra.
6. Make sure your brakes are in good shape. If they don’t appear to work as they should, have them checked out right away. Keep on top of changing your break pads, that way you won’t wear into your disks and need to change those too.
7. Stock the boot with items you might need in an emergency. Carry jumper cables, a thick coat, hat and gloves, de-icer, a first aid kit, and a large bottle of water. You probably won’t need any of these, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
8. If there’s any chance of snowy or icy conditions, you’ll need some supplies to use in case you get stuck. Keep a shovel in the boot in case you need to clear snow under your wheels, and a rope or chain to use in the event that your car needs to be pulled by another vehicle.
9. Make sure your mobile phone is charged before you set off. Carry a car charger in your glove box for emergencies. If you get stuck in the snow you can call for help, get information on local services, or if all else fails, make a reservation in a nearby hotel for the night.
10. Add your breakdown service help line on your mobile phone. If you haven’t got break down cover or can’t afford it, consider switching or upgrading your current account to a bank that includes break down cover.
11. Schedule your annual car service for just before the start of winter, that way everything will be topped up and checked before the period when you least want your car to break down.
12. If you have to take the kids with you, pack extra games and treats in case you get stuck in slow moving or stationery traffic.
13. Take the motorway even if it adds a few extra miles to your journey. Back roads are less likely to be gritted and if there is an accident the whole road will get blocked. Snow is less likely to settle on a motorway because of the volume of traffic, it’s less likely to be hilly, and although the traffic may move slowly in a snow storm, it’s less likely to grind to a complete standstill.
14. Keep the local radio station on, this will keep you up to date with short term weather forecasts and traffic bulletins.
15. If you do get stuck and end up having a nightmare journey, when you finally get to where you’re going, forget cooking, take the kids out for a take-away or to a restaurant. That way everybody de-stresses and a difficult day ends on a positive note.

Winter driving can be hazardous, so it’s important to be prepared. This is especially true when you’re going on a long trip. These simple precautions could make the difference between a safe and happy trip and a disastrous one.