July 12, 2023
Heavy snowfall in winter leads to poor driving conditions in the UK. It leads to hefty penalties. Suppose he does not abide by the road or driving rules. Situations like -not clearing the car’s roof or de-icing the windscreens could cost you thousands. Drivers should be careful about wiping their cars and avoiding fines of around £10000.
As per DailyMails’s report, “Not wearing proper footwear and clothing as per weather could cost you a £5000 fine.”
Thus, before taking your car out for a ride in winter, ensure to clean it. If you want to save on the same, do it yourself. As Express.co.uk puts it,
“Clearing cars by yourself can save you £160 as per an average UK car wash price.”
It is cheaper and grants the opportunity to concentrate on the deep signs impacting the car’s performance. It would help you identify whether you need to paint the car, renew the back covers or simply the headlights.
The blog lists some ways like this one to take care of your car in winter and save money. The below-listed ways are nothing but experts’ advice. If you often face fines or car maintenance costs exceeding expectations in the fall season, the blog is just for you.
How to keep driving costs low this winter?
It is important to drive smartly and reduce fuel and other costs in winter. Your car consumes more fuel in winter to drive through the snow. According to Office for Budget Responsibility–
“The fuel duty rate for petrol and diesel will be 52.95/litre for the time being. Heavy oil and diesel vehicles owners will pay 0.5295/ litre in 2023.”
Thus, here are some ways to reduce the costs of driving in winter:
1) Keep a bowl of water on the passenger seat
As Choosemycar experts reveal, “Keeping a water bowl on the passenger seat is the best way to prevent unnecessary brakes and acceleration”.
Re-starting a car after applying breaks is more fuel-consuming. Thus, if you keep a bowl filled with water on the other side of the seat, you will drive consciously. It would prevent you from dropping the bowl or the water and grabbing just the right speed. You can use small cereal bowls for this experiment.
2) Park the car facing the sun
As mentioned above, an ice-covered car is a no-no if you want to avoid fines. According to Mirror.co.uk excerpts,
“Parking cars facing the morning sun could help limit the time in cleaning the frost. Reversing into the parking space is more fuel and time savvy than reversing out.”
Additionally, the fastest way to defrost your windshield in winter is by making the air around the car as hot and dry as you can. Switch on the car air conditioners and turn off the air re-circulation. It keeps the air dry.
3) Keep your tyres pumped up always
One usually checks the tyres only when they reveal signs of puncture. However, it is a costly mistake to make. Low Tyre pressure leads to friction and heat. And as per research, “Around 10% of tyres are underinflated.” It may be risky to drive a car with under-inflated tyres.
As per the Tyresafe.org study,
“Tyres inflated to a pressure 6psi below the recommended inflation increases fuel consumption by 3%. It costs around £600 million in the UK per year. Moreover, costs could rise to £1 billion if drivers fail to achieve the right fuel consumption figure for their vehicle.”
To support it, the tyresafe.org., chairperson Stuart Jackson says,
“We all feel the pinch during these challenging times and need to find ways to reduce useless outgoings. During most households’ cutbacks on groceries, luxuries and other expenses, they neglect regular tyre checks, leaving them vulnerable to wasted fuel expenses. It also leads to hefty premature tyre replacement costs. Perhaps most importantly, the even price drivers could face by driving on underinflated tyres, which pose a risk to life. In short, checking tyres frequently can save money and lives.”
Thus, it clearly reveals the need to identify the urgency of re-filling tyres. Doing it unnecessarily not only impacts the car’s well-being but impacts your budget as well.
You can calculate a tyre pressure by using different tools online. However, there is a formula too:
1 Bar = 14.5 PSI
It is a bar metric way to calculate the tyre pressure. You can also calculate in pounds per square or PSI (imperial). It makes it easier to choose the right pressure at petrol pumps. You can see the ideal pressure number and the gauge too.
4) Do simple car checks
Well, it may be a no-brainer for most motorists. Around 44% of individuals forget it as the fall strikes. Before driving, have a quick scan of the car’s condition. It may save you from unexpected driving experiences. Here are some common checks that you should do before getting the wheels on the road:
Isn’t it overwhelming? One cannot predict the stability of every part unless one knows about it. If you are already running out of time, you may not be willing to do all that homework. At the same time, it is critical to analyse these aspects, especially if driving for the first time in the fall. Call experts if you lack time and need to get the repairs done quickly.
The costs may exceed £500 if there are significant repairs. If you lack the sum outright, check quick loans with no guarantor facility. With this facility, you can bridge the amount without disturbing your neighbours or known ones for limited cash.
Identify the car for additional repair and finance it accordingly. Sometimes, leaving it to experts is the best way to save costs. You can take the car to the garage or call the expert’s home.
5) Do a bonnet-check
You must be familiar with aspects like- birds, insects, cats and even rodents living in your car bonnet. A warm engine attracts animals to the car for peaceful sleet and home. However, it may impact your car’s mechanism. Animals seeking shelter chew through the wires and cars.
Most of the time, you spot an animal under the car, bonnet or luggage carrier. Thus, always check your car before having a ride.
What to do if you find an animal in your bonnet?
Here are some immediate steps you can take if you spot an animal stuck in your car:
- Leave some food
- Leave traces of food from the entrance to the exit in the car
- Lend a helping hand if it is not a poisonous animal like a snake.
As per a car expert, “ Car engine provides excellent heat for the snakes to seep in and live” .
Snakes search for a warm place, especially during winter. Moreover, the snakes may follow if you have rodents in your garage. Thus, keep your garage pest-free and contact experts frequently for animal checks.
If you still fail to figure out the pet but share doubts, call RSPCA. The organisation helps in general pet care for households and businesses. It also works against animal cruelty. Most individuals delay the inspection part owing to financial constraints. However, ignoring it for a long-time may do irreversible damage to the car. Thus, whether you are hesitant due to unemployment or lack money presently, Florafinance can help you with the best financial solution as per your needs.
You no longer need to stay in fear and compromise car performance; just contact the experts for inspection without worries.
Bottom line
Snow and flash flooding can be dangerous for your car. Avoid driving if your car is not ready yet. To ensure a smooth ride during winters, prioritise FORCE- Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics and Screen Wash. Heed to the weather alters before driving. Tap your leg on the ground. If unsure about the depth of standing water, do not drive through it.
Ellie Brown is a proud resident of the UK and love to be a content writer and editor for the last 9 years. Writing blogs and articles is her passion that one can explore at the top blogging platforms. Ellie holds a key position at Florafinance as the Senior Content Editor and Chief Loan Consultant, leading a team of more than 70 professionals. Ellie Brown covers the major aspects of the UK’s lending industry in her blogs and guides loan seekers who come at Florafinance to apply for a loan. She possesses the Post-Graduate degree in Finance and Investment.