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We know that winter can bring cold weather which often poses some challenges and dangers on the road. Since winter in the UK can last longer than most of us would like, preparation is vital, especially for wheelchair users and those with a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV).
To help you prepare for the UK’s wintry conditions, we’ve put together some essential tips that you, and those you usually travel with, can keep in mind to ensure you have safe and confident winter journeys.
Your WAV
To ensure your WAV is in top condition for cold weather, start with a thorough inspection of the following:
Battery Health
Cold temperatures can reduce battery capacity making it harder to start your vehicle. To keep your battery charged go for regular trips when it’s safe to do so and make sure to turn your front restraint switch off after use.
Tyre Pressure and Tread
Tyre pressure tends to drop the colder it gets and with underinflated tyres negatively impacting your vehicle steering, handling and grip, it’s important to keep an eye on your tyre pressure and inflate them when need be.
Another way to ensure you get a good grip on the road is to check your tyre tread depth. Although you can legally drive with a tread depth of 1.6mm, the expert recommended minimum safe tread depth is 3mm. Remember, if you lease your vehicle through the Motability Scheme, tyre repairs from Kwik Fit are part of your lease package.
Winter tyres are also an ideal option as they provide extra grip in snowy and icy weather.
Wipers and Defrosters
As visibility can become a struggle during winter, it’s vital to inspect your windscreen wipers for wear and tear and replace them if necessary. It is also a good idea to make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up and your defrosters and heaters are working properly by testing them.
Emergency Pack List
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so to help you prepare for the unfortunate event of being stuck in some wintry conditions, we’ve complied a small list of things you should consider storing in your WAV for the winter:
- Warm blankets and handwarmers.
- Snacks and water.
- A portable mobile battery charger. (You could even write down emergency numbers as a backup too.)
- A Hazard triangle. (This alerts other drivers and gives them enough time to slow down and react accordingly.)
- A shovel or salt.
Handy Winter Driving Guides
There’s an abundance of advice on driving your wheelchair accessible vehicle in the snow online. Check Motability’s winter driving guide or the RACs guide to driving in the snow.
Questions or Emergencies
Our customer care team is on hand if you have any queries regarding the accessible parts of your wheelchair accessible vehicle, such as the wheelchair restraints, electric-assist winch or ramp.
Customers who lease their vehicle through the Motability Scheme can find their handy support guide of who to call in an emergency.
