Winter tyres aren’t required by law in the UK, however, they can be much safer when it’s icy and wet. The main difference between summer and winter tyres is that winter tyres are made from different rubber compounds and their tread pattern has more grooves which helps to disperse water.

Also don’t forget to regularly check your tyre tread depth. Read our guide to find out how to check your tyres correctly to ensure legal compliance as well as keep you safe on the road.

Snow chains are used to help your vehicle from skidding on roads where the surface is covered with a layer of compacted ice or snow. It’s important to remove the snow chains once you reach a clear or gritted road, otherwise they can damage the car and the road. Snow chains are less convenient than winter tyres, but if they are more suitable option for you, it’s important to know how to fit and remove them easily. Also, don’t forget to check if your car can be fitted with snow chains.

Another alternative is snow socks. They are textile liners fitted over the wheel that offer improved grip. Similar to the snow chains, they must be removed when you get to a cleared road surface.

During the winter months, there’s less daylight so it’s important to ensure that all your lights are in good shape. If your indicators, hazards lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, this requires immediate attention.

Having good visibility all year round is not only important but it’s also the law. Failure to be able to see out of every glass panel in your vehicle and have a clear view of the road ahead before you set off in adverse weather conditions could incur a fine.

During winter, you may often find your windscreen and side window frozen or covered in snow. Make sure all your vehicle’s mirrors and windows are clean before you set off on your journey.

Inspect your wipers and replace them if needed. Keep your fluid topped up and keep an ice scrapper and de-icer inside your vehicle.

Make sure your braking system is in good condition. Any rattles, shakes and increase in stopping distance indicate that there might be an issue. It’s important to get your brake pads, discs and fluid checked to ensure the brakes are fast and responsive.

The braking distance on icy or snowy roads can be 10 times greater than on dry roads, so worn and faulty brakes will only exacerbate them further. It’s also important to keep well back from the road user in front.

The cold weather can make car door seals to freeze, making the doors hard to open. To prevent damage, use a protective product specially designed for rubber.

To prevent locks from freezing, you can spray in some silicone lubricant.

The winter temperatures can reduce the capacity of your battery especially if your vehicle is used only for short trips or sits without being driven for a long period of time. Take a look at some tips to avoid a flat battery in cold weather.

Most of the tips listed above also apply to EV drivers – make sure you always have good visibility of the road, check your tyres regularly and ensure you have properly working lights and wipers.

Similar to ICE vehicles, EVs efficiency is also affected in the cold months so you may also need extra time to charge your vehicle. Although the temperature in the UK doesn’t drop much below zero, it’s still important to be prepared and on the safe side.

• Plan your journeys as range can be reduced and public charge points may be in high demand during winter. Make sure your vehicle has enough battery before you set off and don’t allow it to drop too low before your next charge.
• If your vehicle has eco mode use it in order to reduce power consumption and maximise range.
• Park your EV in an enclosed parking space where possible.
• Pre-condition your EV before your journey whenever possible whilst your vehicle’s battery is still charging to aid performance.