Some car enthusiasts are all about performance, whilst other drivers seem to be more focused on safety issues and driving with fuel economy in mind. You can usually tell, simply by asking someone what sort of car they drive. Although that is not the case with a brand like Honda, which is loved by serious drivers of family cars and teenage petrol heads alike. Look at Honda's new hatchback Civic, which is as comfortably at home on the school run in bleak mid-winter, sporting an array of state-of the-art safety features to keep the kids out of harm's way, as it is at the infamous Nürburgring, going for the class lap record there. Whatever you drive - from a family saloon to a high performance kit car or Honda hot hatch - winter time road safety is something that all car enthusiasts need to think about more as the nights draw in and driving conditions worsen. This winter, keep your car in top condition and remember to proceed with safety at the forefront of your mind, whatever you happen to drive.

Get Prepared

During the winter it is easy to put off simple maintenance that is routine at other times of the year. After a hard day at work, few of us stop off to check out tyre pressure as regularly as we ought to, for example. Perhaps the dark or the colder weather means that we put off a routine maintenance job that ought to be carried out. In the autumn, before the really bad weather commences, take time to do some checks when there is still available sunlight. Make sure you are prepared for the coming bad weather. Check your oil, tyre pressures, coolant and screen wash. These measures help keep your car performing as well as keeping you safe. On top of this, make sure that fallen leaves that have made their way under the bonnet are cleared away and that you check all of your lights, including your fog lights.

Check Your Battery

Batteries have more demands put on them during the colder weather. You tend to use your lights more as well as your windscreen wipers and window demisters. Short winter journeys, in particular, wear down older batteries. Remember that car batteries are not designed to last much in excess of five years, so replace yours before it becomes a problem, rather than after. The next time you start up, with the heating turned to maximum, it may fail. Some car manufacturers, like Honda, offer extended warranties so it might be worth checking out if yours is covered if it needs replacing, especially if your car is fairly new.

Tyres and Bad Weather

Tyres should have a minimum of 3mm tread for winter motoring. Anything that is less than 2mm can be considered to be dangerous. Some drivers compensate for a lack of grip by reducing their tyre pressures, but it does not work very well and, indeed, can reduce the car's stability. Unless you live in the Highlands of Scotland, then snow chains are probably not needed. You end up having to remove them once you hit a cleared main road in any case. However, you may like to consider changing to winter tyres, which are made with higher rubber content, preventing them from hardening at low temperatures. They afford better grip in cold weather.
Improve Your Visibility
Keep your windscreen clear on the inside and out before heading off in poor weather conditions. On top of this, it is worth clearing muck and snow from your headlights so that you can use them effectively to improve your vision. If your windscreen is de-misting then don't set off until it is fully cleared. Drivers who head off with only a porthole to see through are acting irresponsibly.
Lower Your Speed
From hot hatches to well-equipped saloons to sports cars, car enthusiasts tend to like to push their vehicles. However, in the winter it is worth remembering that even if your car is able to drive to the speed limit safely, this may not be the case for other road users, particularly those on two wheels. Be prepared to slow down when necessary and only open up when the road conditions and weather makes it safe to do so.

Guest Post - 6 Dec 2013