Winter Driving Myths

Often these urban legends tend to be factually incorrect albeit some do have a little truth to them.

We’ve gathered the ones we’ve come across over the years and set the record straight.

It’s against the law to drive in wellies?

FALSE

According to the Highway Code, drivers should ensure clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner. So if wellies are affecting your ability to control your car or move your pedals, it’s best to opt for another option for that long winter walk.

You’re not covered if you use winter tyres?

FALSE

Winter tyres can have a positive impact on driving when the weather turns cold. Most insurers don’t charge an additional premium for cars fitted with a set of winter tyres as long as the tyres are in good condition, roadworthy and fitted properly. However some insurers do need to know so it’s best to check your policy and get in touch with them to be on the safe side.

Leaving your car running to defrost the windscreen is illegal

TRUE

It is if you’re on a public road! Keeping a car ticking over when parked or the car isn’t in use is known as idling. Years ago, idling used less fuel than restarting the engine but it’s no longer the case. It can actually result in a fine, never mind what is does to the environment.

Engines need to warm up before you can drive off

FALSE

For many of us, sitting in the back seat of car as a child as parents warmed up the car in the morning is a core memory. Back then, the thought was that the engine needed time to become fully lubricated after the oil drained to the bottom overnight, and that warming up an engine allowed all components to reach optimum temperature.

Nowadays however, most cars have fuel injection (as opposed to carburised engines) therefore no longer require this extra warm-up time

So by the time you’ve put your seatbelt on your car is ready to drive.

Adding weight into the car gives you greater traction when driving

IT DEPENDS

This all comes down to weight transfer i.e. redistribution of weight in your car when you accelerate, brake and steer. Many family cars nowadays are 4x4 which helps to stabilise the car for the driver as road conditions change. So it depends on whether your car is front or rear wheel drive.

For the most part, front wheel drive cars carry weight over the front axle which is a good thing for traction particularly in snow as it increases friction between the road and tyres. More friction leads to better grip. Adding weight could actually cause problems.

For rear wheel drive cars (i.e. back tyres propel the car), additional weight in the boot can add some traction but there is a fine line as you don’t want it to impact fuel consumption. It’s more beneficial to ensure your tyres are in optimum condition as without enough thread no matter the car, you won’t have safe traction.

It’s a waste of time to wash the car in winter

FALSE

Ideally you want to wash your car every 2 weeks or so. Of course with the ice, frost, rain, snow, hail and all the weather we can get in one day in this part of the world it can feel like it’s a waste of time. However at this time of year, roads tend to be much dirtier and the additional salt/water/mud on roads thanks to freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your paintwork.

The salt oxidises when mixed with water leading to rust plus it can impact brake and fuel lines underneath the car. Regularly washing your car can extend the life if your car and reduce annual maintenance needed.

If you slide on black ice and crash, you’re still covered

IT DEPENDS

Sliding on black ice can be a really scary experience and it can happen to anyone. It can cause serious damage to your car, anything you hit such as property and even bodily injuries. Incidents may be covered by your car insurance but it depends on your insurer, the damage caused and the cover you have in place. If you hit something this is typically referred to as an at fault claim even if the driver doesn’t feel it was their fault exactly.

Fog lights must be used in fog

FALSE

You only need to use your fog lights when visibility drops below 100 metres i.e. length of a football pitch. Read more about driving in fog here.

Credit cards are good for clearing ice off windscreens

TRUE

If you’re stuck cards are handy to use as the edge can be used to scrape ice however you do need to be careful not to damage the magnetic strip – gift cards are ideal. Better still, read our top tips that we’ve tried and tested here.

Warm water is ok to clear an icy windscreen

FALSE

Never use hot or warm water on an icy windscreen as the thermal shock can cause cracks to form. Best to use a plastic scraper or brush.

You’re covered if you drive through deep water

IT DEPENDS

If you have fully comprehensive car insurance, most insurers will cover you for any damage caused by driving through flood water. That said, if it was damage that you could have avoided, insurers may not pay out so you are only covered if damage was unforeseen and unpreventable.

It’s ok to leave snow on your car when driving

FALSE

Whilst it isn’t illegal to drive with snow on your car, the Highway Code states that you must be able to see through every window. So if your windscreen/rear windscreen/windows are obstructed you must remove the snow to ensure you are driving legally with a clear view of the road ahead.

You’re covered if your car’s stolen when leaving it running to warm up

FALSE

On these cold icy mornings, you can often see people letting their cars tick over whilst they run back inside to get ready to head out on the daily commute. Whether it’s to melt ice/defrost the windscreen, you cannot leave your car unattended even if it is locked as it is illegal. If your car was taken whilst left like this, most insurers would not pay out.