In winter, due to low temperatures and potential bad weather (freezing rain, snow, fog, etc.), it is important to have a functional, well-equipped vehicle and to know some recommendations to avoid taking risks. Here are our tips for driving safely during the cold season!
Equip yourself with suitable tires
The use of winter tires is strongly recommended when temperatures drop below 7°C. These are specially designed to ensure better road holding in cold weather, on slippery, snowy or icy roads. We advise you to opt for 3PMSF approved tires, which is a verified winter tire approval.
It is important to remember that since November 1, 2021, the mountain law has come into force. It requires in certain French departments to have suitable equipment (winter tires or snow chains/socks) between November 1 and March 31. Winter tires must comply with 3PMSF approval. Read our article to learn more about the mountain law .
Use winter windshield washer fluid
To prevent your windshield washer fluid from freezing, and to ensure its effectiveness even in very cold weather, it is important to use special winter windshield washer fluid which will be effective down to -20°C, or even -30°C.
Check the battery status
With winter temperatures, your vehicle’s battery is put to the test. It may be a good idea to have your battery’s health checked by a professional!
Check the condition of your lights
With shorter days, you will spend more time driving at night. It is therefore important to have clean, good condition and functional lights. You should check the side lights, dipped beam headlights, front and rear fog lights and brake lights. Also remember to adjust their height according to your load, so as not to dazzle other road users.
Check the cooling system
In order to prevent your cooling system from freezing, it is essential to have a coolant that is resistant to low temperatures. Remember to check the coolant level at the same time.
Think about winter accessories
Frost scraper, gloves, snow chains or socks, de-icer, pocket heater, flashlight, don’t forget all these accessories which can be very important in the event of severe weather.
Clear snow and defrost your vehicle
If your vehicle is covered in snow: clean all windows and lights. Remove snow from the roof or hood to prevent it from being thrown onto your windshield or onto another vehicle while driving.
Lift the wipers up to detach them from the windshield.
If the windows are covered in ice: use a de-icer spray or a scraper. To avoid this inconvenience, you can place a piece of cardboard or your summer sun visor on your windshield. Placed on the windshield, outside the vehicle, it will prevent frost from forming.Wait until your windows are completely defrosted and demisted before leaving.
Prepare your journey
Find out about weather conditions, road conditions and the best route to take, for example by consulting the Bison Futé website .
Driving the vehicle in winter
Turn on the heating to prevent condensation from forming. Caution : do not overheat the passenger compartment and ventilate the vehicle regularly to avoid any risk of falling asleep.
Adopt a moderate speed to be able to maintain control of your vehicle in all circumstances.
Drive smoothly with plenty of anticipation so you don’t have to brake hard, accelerate sharply or “swipe” the steering wheel.
Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and make sure you never surprise other road users. Warn them of your intentions as soon as possible.