Don’t ‘leaf’ anything to chance this autumn
10th November 2010
The Institute of Advanced Motorists has called on road users to take extra care in the riskier driving conditions of autumn.
“Hitting a patch of wet leaves can be as dangerous as running into standing water, when lower grip can reduce braking and steering,” said the IAM’s chief examiner Peter Rodger. “Piles of leaves could be obscuring a pot hole, and with road surface conditions in a poor state after last winter this is a distinct possibility.”
The change in the seasons can also take its toll on your vehicle, and Peter has offered some simple tips on maintenance during this period:
- Clear out plenum chambers – the tray-like area under the bonnet, below the windscreen – as they can fill up with water when they get blocked with leaves. This can seep into the car’s electrics, causing expensive and potentially dangerous damage.
- In cold weather, clear windscreens of condensation or ice before setting off. Always give yourself extra time, to ensure optimum visibility before starting your journey.
- Make sure your wiper blades are in good condition – if they squeak as they wipe, they probably need replacing. Always make sure they are turned off before starting the ignition, to save the blades and the risk of a blown motor fuse when the first frost hits.
- Keep the top of the battery clean and dry, and make sure the terminals are tight and free from corrosion. Ensure the battery itself is mounted securely in its tray. If a battery is more than three years old, check it now; you might save yourself many a frustrating start to a morning.
Meanwhile, IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig has warned that following the clock change, rush hour drivers will have to contend with the dazzle of the low sun – both in the morning and evening.
“Keep your windscreen clean, both inside and out,” he advised. “On demist, your heater blows traffic fumes, suspended oil and smoke onto the inside of the screen, and wet roads add dirt and scratches to the outside.
“If you can’t see, slow down accordingly, keeping an eye on the traffic behind in case the following vehicle doesn’t see you against the sun.”
Headlamp dazzle causes more injury crashes than mobile phone use, and Neil Greig added: “We don’t think often enough about headlamp dazzle, and the figures show how dangerous it can be. Drivers must learn to expect it and how to cope with it.
“Always dip your headlights when another vehicle is approaching. If someone is coming towards you on main beam, look away to the left of your side of the road, to avoid the temporary blindness caused by dazzle.”