Is your Car Winter-Safe? 3 Key Items you may be Missing

Driving a car in the best conditions takes an extreme amount of care and caution, but the winter months bring a whole new element to safety. The colder weather, sometimes including snow and ice, can make driving on the roads a lot harder and if your car is not up to scratch your safety, your passengers’ safety and that of others around you, can be put at risk.

After you’ve checked the regular items such as battery, brakes, wipers and heating systems, what else needs to be done heading into the Tassie winter?

Check your windscreen - Inspect your car’s windscreen carefully for cracks or chips. In icy conditions, the windshield glass can become very cold and any cracks can spread further or even shatter your windscreen altogether. Getting the tiny chips fixed before winter can prevent such a disaster occurring.

Test your tyres - Did you know that if you turn your steering wheel to full hard lock you can check the wear on the tread of your tyres?  Doing this presents the full face of the tyres, which helps you to check the entire surface for baldness. Car tyres have wear indicators and shouldn't get to the point of ‘smooth’. If they do, you need to pay us a visit as a matter of urgency to avoid unsafe driving conditions.

Prepare an emergency kit - Apart from your regular first aid kit, it’s important to have an emergency kit packed in case you become stranded with your car during the freezing winter months. Items to include are: a blanket, portable phone charger, extra drinking water, protein snack bars and a torch. These few things packed in the boot will ensure you and your passengers are kept warm, fed and watered in the event of an extended wait for help.

If you need any assistance in making sure your vehicle is ready to face the harsh temperatures of winter, contact one of the Cooper Automotive Service Centres today. 

http://www.cooperautomotive.com.au/all-service-centres.html

Mid-Winter Car Safety

Although this winter we have enjoyed above average temperatures in Tasmania, there have been a number of wild, wet and windy days with a few extreme cold temps thrown in. Weather has certain effects on our vehicles, so to keep your car on track for the rest of winter and heading into spring, be sure to complete these simple safety checks.

·       Tyres - Wet roads due to rain or snow can be slippery. If car tyres are worn their ability to grip the road in such conditions is limited. Check the tread on your car’s tyres to ensure it has enough depth in the rubber. Besides being a requirement for registration, this is a major safety concern. Replace worn tyres, and make sure you check the air pressure and adjust according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t forget about the spare!

·       Lights - Fully functioning lights on your vehicle is of high importance in the darker days and rainy nights we can experience in winter. Test all of your car’s lights on a regular basis and replace globes as necessary.

·       Windscreen and wipers - If you’ve noticed they are leaving lines on your windscreen when in use, now is the time to insert new blades. While you are at it, check the wiper fluid and refill. The inside of your windscreen can also become hazy and covered in a dirty film, so clean this too to achieve maximum visibility for safe winter driving.

·       Battery - Extreme cold temperatures put extra strain on your car battery as it has to work harder to get started and continue running. If you notice your engine is having difficulty starting in the morning, check the age of your battery and replace if necessary. You can also have your battery checked at a service centre.

Regular servicing can help keep your car safe and running smoothly. If you haven’t had a full

service done for a while, book one in today and keep you and your family safe on the roads for

the rest of winter.

Safety update: Stranded and Alone - How to keep safe and get help fast

Imagine this scenario: One night you’re driving home from netball training and the kids are fighting in the back seat of the car. There are two ways you can drive home: the long way in a well populated area, or the short way which is along an isolated road without lighting.

Exhausted, cold and hungry you decide to go the short way – something you never usually do at night – in an effort to get everyone home quickly. As you are halfway along the dark, remote road you hear a thud, a clunk and realise that one of the tyres on the car has gone flat. Great! Just what you needed!

Here are some tips to help you keep calm, safe and get help as quickly as possible:

• Although this may be obvious, avoid travelling on isolated roads at night if possible. Breaking down in a well-populated area is not nearly as bad. If you are low on petrol or have had car trouble in the past, always choose a well-populated route.

• Ensure your mobile phone is always charged and have a back-up charger in the car for emergencies.

• If you do find yourself stranded, try and keep calm so your children don’t start to get anxious. They can easily pick up on signs of panic and you don’t need them to be freaking out in addition to having to solve car troubles!

• If you know someone who is nearby, call them first to come and pick you up. You can always deal with the car later by calling roadside assistance or attending to it the next day.

• Stay in the car and use a blanket to keep yourself and the kids warm till help arrives.

• If a passing motorist offers help, it’s best not to get out of the car to talk to them, just to be safe. Instead, tell them that you are fine and have help coming right away. Keep your mobile phone in your hand and call the police if you feel unsafe.

Although it’s not pleasant to think about the possibility of being in this situation, a little thought and planning can be the difference between a smooth ride home and a stressful emergency.

Preparing for a Trip North

There’s no better way to get around on holiday than having your own car – especially in a country as big as Australia – and as Tasmanians the best way to do this is to take the car north across the Strait.

We are happy to hear that the Spirit of Tasmania II has now been repaired and fully operational after suffering damage to its boarding ramp during a wild storm in Port Melbourne in January.

If you’re considering a trip north this year, here are our top tips for making the most of your driving holiday.

Before you go

• Take your car for a pre-trip safety check. Be sure to book in advance to give you time to rectify any issues.

• If travelling with children check that their current seats are still appropriate for their height and age. See Department of Transport for full details: http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/licensing/publications/tasmanian_road_rules/road_safety_rules/child_restraints

• Update the software in your GPS for latest maps.

           

On board the ship

• Once on board, take note of where your vehicle is parked on the ship. It may help to take a photo with your phone to remind you of the level and section.

• Bicycles on racks on the back of your car can stay in place - no need to remove them for sailing. (There may be extra charges to carry bikes so check when booking.)

• As there won’t be access to your car during the voyage it’s important to pack essential items such as medicine and toiletries in your overnight bag to be taken with you into your cabin.

On your road trip

• Have the details of the local roadside services handy in case you get caught with a breakdown.

• Let family or friends know roughly where you’ll be during your trip and check in with them periodically.

• Check tyre pressure along the way and take into account any big fluctuations in temperature that may affect it.

Taking a road trip can come with its ups and downs – especially when travelling with the family. If you follow these top tips you will save yourself unnecessary worry, and get you on the right track for a wonderful trip.