With the festive period just around the corner, we're closing in on one of the busiest times of the year on UK roads as millions of people prepare to travel for Christmas.
Whilst you should always make sure that both you and your car are well prepared for a journey, it is perhaps more important than ever during the winter months when both road - and weather - conditions can take a turn for the worse.
Here's our quick guide for making sure you are ready for a festive road trip.
Battery
Batteries tend to take a bit of a hammering in the winter - headlights are on more frequently, heaters and blowers are going full pelt and the cold itself can have a negative effect on an already struggling battery.
Get your battery checked and replaced if needed as the last thing you want is to be away from home with a flat battery and a car that won't start.
Lights
Bulbs should be checked regularly but with the dark nights of the winter, and the potential for driving in poor weather with limited visibility, driving anywhere with a light out is far from ideal.
Check your brake lights, headlights, fog lights and indicators for peace of mind and make sure you have spares to fit if required.
Windscreen wipers
Windscreen wipers are your allies, particularly with the rain and snow! Make sure yours don t have any cracks in the rubber, aren't squeaking or dragging across the windscreen - and give your windscreen a good clean, both inside and out.
As with your bulbs, it will never hurt to have a spare set of wipers ready should they be needed.
Fluids
Anti-freeze, engine coolant, screen wash, engine oil and power steering fluid all need checking and topped up if low.
When the weather gets worse, you want to be sure that you are fully stocked so that your car can run as smoothly as possible.
If you're going out, have at least a quarter of a tank of fuel, in case of delays.
Tyres
Your tyres need to be in tip top condition for the winter as the conditions can become a lot more challenging. Inspect your tyres at least every two weeks, checking for cracks, bulges and damage.
Make sure your tyre pressures are correct and, of course, that the tread is of the legal limit.
For places that experience frequent snow fall during the winter months, definitely consider winter or snow tyres - or even get hold of some snow chains to use if conditions demand.
Supplies
This is the one that arguably people think about the least because it isn't something that they will do before every trip. However, during the winter months you'd be well advised to keep some form of winter kit in your car which includes things like de-icer, a scraper and a torch.
Because there is always the possibility of bad weather, you might also want to consider a foldable shovel should you find yourself stuck in snow and need to dig yourself out, whilst warm clothes, a blanket, water and some non-perishable food items are also a good idea.
It might sound extreme but we've all seen the news stories of people trapped in their cars during a freak winter storm, or because of an accident caused by the winter conditions - so it's better to be prepared for a 'just in case' scenario.
For peace of mind this winter you can get Vertu to give your car the once over to make sure it's ready to hit the road for a festive road trip.
- News