During the colder months of the year, motorists must consider several factors when it comes to driving, as adverse weather can affect vehicles more significantly than many realise. February is notorious for cold and frosty conditions, making it crucial for all drivers to familiarise themselves with winter driving guidance.
The RAC (Royal Automobile Club) has recently issued vital information that motorists should be aware of before getting behind the wheel this month. Following this expert guidance is essential, as it could significantly impact your vehicle's performance throughout the winter period.
This isn't the first piece of advice the RAC has provided in recent weeks. Just a short time ago, it advised drivers to press a simple button to rapidly defrost their vehicles.
The latest guidance was posted on Instagram, outlining what people need to know to remain safe on the roads during winter. Four driving tips have been identified as "essential".
The initial recommendation was to inspect your battery to determine whether it requires replacement, and to examine your FORCES (fuel, oil, rubber, coolant, electrics and screen wash) as well. Whilst on the road, motorists should also maintain a safe distance from gritters, as the salt can harm your car's bodywork.
Additionally, the organisation shared crucial guidance concerning windscreen wipers. The RAC stated: "Avoid using your wipers on a frozen windscreen, as it will damage them, and your windscreen."
Alongside the post, it added: "Heading out in the cold? Here are our four essential driving tips to keep you, and your car, prepared and protected this winter."
Whilst it may seem appealing to use your wipers to clear ice and frost, it's something you should never do. What you may not know is that it can cause more damage than it's worth.
In fact, other motorists have also spoken out about how crucial this is on Reddit. One person admitted they made the blunder before, writing: "I did the same thing once. It really doesn't take much to slightly damage the rubber on the blades."
Another also added: "Ice is like sandpaper to the sharp edge of a good wiper blade. Never use the wipers until all the ice has been melted off."
You may not realise it, but you should never use windscreen wipers on a frozen windscreen. Activating wipers on ice can tear the rubber blades, damage the wiper motor and blow fuses.
Before using them, you should always defrost your vehicle. You can do this by using a scraper, de-icer spray or your car's defroster to fully clear the ice.
Wipers will not clear frozen glass, so never even attempt it. The RAC website adds: "[A] new survey has revealed that almost half of UK drivers may be damaging their vehicles simply through the methods they use to clear ice from their cars on cold mornings.
"The research also showed that around 30% of drivers rely on their windscreen wipers to scrape away ice. This bad habit can put unnecessary strain on the wiper motor and can tear or blunt the rubber blades, reducing visibility and increasing the likelihood of needing replacements sooner.
"Together, these findings highlight how common winter morning shortcuts can unintentionally create bigger problems for drivers, reinforcing the importance of using safer, vehicle-friendly de-icing methods."