Getting ready for winter

Only the other day my good self purchased a few items of tinned food to keep me going if one has the misfortune to be snowed in.

I have a feeling it's going to be a hard winter at least that's what my trusty barometer is predicting and we all know how reliable it is.

Soon the temperatures will dip at night and we will awake to a world covered white by Jack Frost.

As in previous years yours truly be woken early by the frightful sound of a neighbour trying to start their car on a cold morning. Thankfully the battery usually goes flat after a few minutes and one can nod off again to finish the nights sleep.

Naturally the sensible people, like my good self, make preparations to ensure our cars are ready for winter so we don't get caught out.

A few simple checks are all that's needed such as making sure the anti-freeze in the cars radiator is up to the required strength.

Always have something on hand to scrape the ice from the windscreen, make sure all the lights are working and ensure tyre pressures are correct.

It's amazing how many people neglect to check their tyre pressures. All it takes is a pressure gauge and a foot pump.

Of course if your tyres are filled with nitrogen instead of air, like those on my trusty vehicle, then it's not cricket using a foot pump to put ordinary air in them so nip to a local garage and get a nitrogen top-up instead.

Make sure the fan belt on the engine is in good condition and to the correct tension. Adjusting the fan belt is so easy and even my good self can do it using just a large spanner and a four foot jemmy.

If your battery is a bit dodgy then make sure you carry some jump leads indeed a few years ago my good self invested in a set of industrial standard jump leads capable of starting a lorry.

My jump leads may be a bit bulky to carry around but they were the best investment I ever made. What's more if one does break down then my good self can also jump start my vehicle off a passing lorry if needs be.

If snow is forecast then put a tow rope in the boot in case you get stuck after all it's no good flagging down that passing off-road vehicle to pull you free if you don't have a tow rope!

If you do break down then carrying a day-glo fluorescent vest is jolly handy so other drivers can see you if you need to leave the vehicle.

Those who do long distance motoring may consider placing in the glove box some long life provisions like baked beans, fizzy drink and mineral water with a good use by date in case you get stuck in a snow drift in which case you will not be without nourishment.

On occasions I have been known to open the glove box and tuck into the provisions during normal weather when stuck in a traffic jam on the West Wycombe Road.

I'm not sure if snow chains are legal these days but your humble servant always carries a set just in case after all it's better to be safe than sorry.

Well, I hope you found my advice useful.

Perhaps you have some other helpful advice that you would like to share with us? If so why not leave a comment.

What do you think?

*Don't forget to read my regular column in this Friday's edition of the printed version of the Bucks Free Press!

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