Are you breaking the law when defrosting your car?

--> During the winter months, it is not uncommon to have to de-ice the car in the morning before driving off. However, many motorists are unknowingly breaking the law by going back inside the house, leaving their cars to defrost outside.

It is a criminal offence to leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, even if it is freezing cold and you are waiting for your car to warm up.

Not only are you breaking the law by leaving your car to defrost with the engine running, but you are also providing thieves with an easy opportunity to steal your vehicle.

When the frosty weather started in earnest a couple of weeks ago, six cars were stolen in the space of 30 minutes, in one area alone.

Drivers are being urged to stay on the right side of the law this winter by being in control of their vehicle at all times when the engine is running, even when unloading Christmas shopping or defrosting the windscreen.

Leaving your vehicle to warm up in this way is not only breaking the law, but may also void your car insurance if an opportunist thief steals your vehicle whilst you have returned inside the house.

We haven't seen the last of winter frosts this season, so make sure you have the necessary equipment – de-icer, scraper and a good pair of gloves – to defrost your vehicle safely and legally.

If you are worried about your car performance in the cold weather before visiting friends and relatives this holiday season, why not book in for a Winter Check?

Visit our website to find a participating Good Garage Scheme member garage in your area.

Get ready for icy weather with a Good Garage Scheme Winter Check

With winter just around the corner the Good Garage Scheme is encouraging motorists to get their cars professionally checked to ensure they are safe and reliable in the cold months ahead. 
Good Garage Scheme workshops across the UK are offering a Winter Check to help protect vehicles and reduce the risk of accidents, costly repairs and breakdowns.
 
Not having a vehicle checked and prepared for harsh weather can increase the likelihood of having an accident, especially if a car’s tyre pressures are low, making it hard to maintain grip and easy to skid on wet and icy roads. Visibility is also important as the days get shorter, making it essential to check the operation of heaters, windscreen washers and the condition of wiper blades, as well as headlamp bulbs to ensure drivers can see and be seen.
 
Cars with low antifreeze levels are also at risk in freezing temperatures, which can cause engine overheating and damage, resulting in stressful breakdowns and costly repairs.  Monitoring coolant and topping up, or preferably cleaning and refilling the vehicle’s cooling system, will ensure a healthy engine and help the heater to work properly and defrost icy windscreens more quickly.
 
The Good Garage Scheme Winter Check covers the condition and level of the antifreeze, engine oil and brake fluid as well as the state of the brakes and tyres.  The Winter Check also includes inspection of the wiper blades and all lights.  As a result, motorists taking advantage of the Good Garage Scheme Winter Check can be sure that their car is well prepared for the frosty months ahead.

 
Visit www.GoodGarageScheme.com and enter your postcode to find your local Good Garage Scheme workshop offering the Winter Check to protect you and your car.  Smartphone users can also download a free iPhone or Android app to help them locate a nearby Good Garage Scheme member anywhere in the UK.
 

Driving in Winter

The weather has finally turned colder and motorists will need to cope with ice, snow and salting vehicles. If you do need to drive, the Good Garage Scheme has a few tips to help get there safely.

Give yourself extra time
More time will be required to make sure all of your windows are cleared of frost, ice and snow.

Drive at a sensible speed
Rain, hail and snow all reduce visibility. A good rule of thumb is to travel at a speed that allows you to stop in the distance you're able to see ahead.

Use main roads
Avoid smaller roads that may be untreated. The shortest route may not always be safe.

Drive a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you
In icy conditions, you may need to allow up to ten times the normal distance for braking.

Take care around winter maintenance vehicles

Keep a safe distance behind salting vehicles and make sure you have plenty of screenwash to avoid a salt-smeared windscreen.

Always carry a charged mobile phone for emergencies and make sure your battery, lights and wipers are up to the challenges of winter.  Find a garage near you offering a Winter Check at http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/winter_check