Preparing your van for the cold snap
15th December 2010
As snow and ice take hold, the added presence of road salt – spread at a rate of up to 60,000 tonnes each day across the country – can accelerate the corrosion of exterior bodywork. 
A thorough wash with shampoo followed by the application of a premium quality wax will provide ongoing protection against bodywork damage. Tyres are also susceptible to degradation from road salt, and can be protected with a tyre dressing.
- Prevent door and boot seals from freezing shut by treating and protecting rubber seals.
- Keep a de-icer close to hand outside the vehicle, as it can’t be reached inside if your locks are frozen.
- Keep an easy-to-use glass cleaner at hand to clear road grime from headlamps and side windows.
- Top-up screenwash reservoirs with a high-quality solution, ensuring the concentration is appropriate for very low temperatures.
- Prepare for the worst by keeping a shovel, torch, food and blankets in your vehicle, and taking a fully-charged mobile phone on each trip.
“From one winter to the next, so many people forget to prepare their cars sufficiently for the sub-zero conditions,” Paul Caller, the CEO of Autoglym, said. ”We’re urging drivers to remember the difficulties they faced last year and to take some basic steps to avoid the same problems arising again.”