That early morning or late-night commute to start your shift can be tough enough without the added challenge of winter conditions. Plus, there’s nothing worse than the dreaded sound of your car’s engine sputtering or refusing to start on a frosty morning, especially when you’re racing against the clock to get to work. That’s why we’ve partnered with Halfords to bring you this commute survival guide to maintain the wellness of you car before winter closes in.

Looking after your car battery.
Cold weather is brutal on car batteries. The drop in temperature slows down the chemical reaction inside the battery, which weakens its ability to hold a charge. That’s why you might hear a clicking noise or experience a slow engine crank when you start your car. But don’t worry! There are steps you can take to ensure your battery stays healthy, warm and charged during those cold, dark winter shifts. Let’s take you through them.

1) Drive regularly (and for longer)

If you’re only commuting short distances, your battery might not have enough time to recharge. During your well-earned time off, before your shift starts or even to decompress from a stressful day at work, you should try and take your car on a longer drive. Where possible, you should aim to drive for more than 30 minutes, especially if you have an older battery. Your engine helps to keep the battery warm and charged as you drive.

2) Park smarter where you can

When you’re parked at work or at home, where possible, aim to keep your car out of the wind or extreme cold as it’ll help keep things running smoothly. If you don’t have access to a garage at home or a covered car park at work, try to find somewhere to park your car in a sheltered spot with the front facing away from the wind.

3) Manage your electronics

It’s easy to forget, but car electronics, such as heaters and radios, all draw power from your battery. When starting your car, try to keep everything switched off until the engine is running. This will prevent unnecessary strain on your battery when it’s already under pressure from the cold.

Protecting the rest of your car.

Protecting the wellness of your car shouldn’t stop at your car battery. Here’s some tips on how to keep the rest of your car in good health; check them out!

1) Check your tyre pressure and tread

Lower temperatures can cause your tyres to deflate faster. It’s always good to check your tyre pressure periodically to ensure they are road safe. The same goes for your tyre treads! You need to make sure your tyre treads are a minimum of 3mm as worn treads can reduce the grip of your tyres on icy roads.

2) Top-up your screen wash

Keeping your windscreen clear is essential for your visibility whilst driving. Rain, sleet and snow can cause your car’s windscreen to get dirty on your journey to and from your shift. So having enough screen wash to clear off any dirt whilst driving is crucial for your road safety. Early morning and late night shifts can cause your car’s radiator to freeze – plan ahead and use anti-freeze to prevent this from happening.

3) Prevent your wipers from freezing

If you’re leaving your car parked overnight, place a piece of cardboard between the windscreen and wipers to prevent them from freezing to the glass. Then they will be ready to go whenever you set off to and from your shift.

4) Check your exhaust

Did you know that snow can block your exhaust pipe? This creates a dangerous risk of you getting carbon monoxide poisoning whilst driving. You should always check your exhaust to make sure its clear before starting your car.

5) Use your Blue Light Card

We have a variety of offers with Halfords available to our members. For our winter wellness week, Halfords are offering an increased discount to Blue Light Card members so they can get 50% off blades and bulbs, plus 20% off batteries. Perfect for making sure your car is in top shape for the colder months ahead.

Don’t forget the essentials!
When you're working odd hours, you never know what conditions you might face on the road. You can make sure you're prepared for winter's worst weather spells with these essentials:

1. Ice scraper & de-icer: Legally, you must clear all ice and snow from your windows before you drive. Be prepared by getting yourself the right tools.
2. Torch with spare batteries: If you break down during a night shift or early morning commute, a proper torch will be far more useful than your phone’s flashlight.
3. Phone charger: Keep your phone charged and ready for any emergencies you might face.
4. High-visibility clothing: If you get stuck on the side of the road in the dark, high-vis clothing will make sure you’re seen by other drivers.
5. Jump leads: If your battery does become flat, make sure you’re ready to jump-start it back to life.
6. Sunglasses: Yes, even in winter! The sun can be a hidden hazard during early-morning and late-afternoon commutes as it can cause dangerous glare on icy roads.

Winter driving is tricky, especially when it is icy or snowy on the roads. This can cause stopping distances to increase by up to ten times. Combine that with the fact that after a long shift you can be tired, and it’s even more important that you drive with caution. Make sure to give yourself extra time to reach your destination and try to stay well-rested! Your work is essential and so is getting to and from it safely. Stay safe, warm and take good care of yourself during your winter commutes.