Driving Advice

Generic advice issued for joe bloggs - who probably doesn't understand half of it.
Made me titter when i read it - so what are you thoughts on it - Sound or liable to go over the heads of mere mortals! ( these office dwellers who call the AA to change a wheel?)

Roads and driving guidance for adverse weather
Weather and travelling conditions have begun to improve today compared to the start of this week. The Council's gritters continue to treat all primary routes in the area around the clock and we anticipate being able to begin to treat secondary routes again during the day today.
However, showers are forecast and if rain falls, because road surface temperatures are so low this may lead to immediate ice formation and possible dangerous road surfaces. If and when this happens, gritters will once again focus only on the primary routes and extreme caution is required when driving.
Given the weather conditions we’ve faced, I would like to assure you again that whilst we maintain essential services in this adverse weather, your own health & safety is paramount. Driving in winter conditions can be challenging and we have collated the following tips for safe driving and journey planning which we hope you will find useful. Please also monitor weather forecasts and listen carefully to national guidance on travel and follow the advice given.

Your Car
Prepare your car for winter. Check your owner’s manual for recommended service intervals and carry out a check-up that includes:
· Checking the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses and fan belts.
· Changing and adjusting the spark plugs.
· Checking the air, fuel and emission filters, and the PCV valve.
· Inspecting the distributor.
· Checking the battery.
· Checking the tyres for air, sidewall wear and tread depth.
· Checking antifreeze levels and the freeze line.

Equipment for journeys
An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared. In addition to making sure you have the tune-up, a full tank of fuel, and fresh anti-freeze, you should carry the following items in your boot:
· Properly inflated spare tyre, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack
· Shovel
· Jump leads
· Tow rope (and if you have them, tyre snow chains)
· Bag of salt or cat litter
· Tool kit

Essential Supplies
Be prepared with a "survival kit" that should always remain in the car. Replenish after use. Essential supplies include:
· Working torch and extra batteries
· Reflective triangles and brightly-coloured cloth
· Compass
· First aid kit
· Exterior windscreen cleaner
· Ice scraper and snow brush
· Wooden matches in a waterproof container
· Scissors and string/cord
· Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted nuts, dried fruits, and hard sweets.
In addition, if you are driving long distances under cold, snowy, and icy conditions, you should also carry supplies to keep you warm such as heavy woollen mittens, socks, a cap or hat and blankets.

If You Become Stranded...
Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.
· Hang a brightly coloured/high visibility cloth or material from your aerial.
· If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of fuel in the tank.
· To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woollen items and blankets to keep warm.
· Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.
· Eat a hard sweet to keep your mouth moist.
I hope this guidance is useful and I would like to thank you all once again for your fantastic efforts in getting to work and continuing to deliver our services in such extreme weather conditions.

[timwilky]

When it comes to advice, take some from my mate who has been delivered to see me as off work due to injuries in a work related RTC.

When the car in front of you pulls over, do not attempt to over take it without checking to your side. Unlike you he may have heard the sirens, seen the blues that are affixed to the car currently overtaking you. By having your radio on bass busting full and blinkers applied you push 30 grands worth of vehicle/kit into the oncoming truck in the opposite carriageway. They were on their way to a serious incident, They were the only local resource. He tells me he told the lad responsible. "Well done, you have probably just killed somebody because you cannot be arsed to turn your neck".

What the fook is a PCV valve??? I'm not the most technically mind but I am certainly a wee bit more clued up than the office goers your describing Q and I don't have the foggiest what that is!

Originally Posted by timwilky

When it comes to advice, take some from my mate who has been delivered to see me as off work due to injuries in a work related RTC.

When the car in front of you pulls over, do not attempt to over take it without checking to your side. Unlike you he may have heard the sirens, seen the blues that are affixed to the car currently overtaking you. By having your radio on bass busting full and blinkers applied you push 30 grands worth of vehicle/kit into the oncoming truck in the opposite carriageway. They were on their way to a serious incident, They were the only local resource. He tells me he told the lad responsible. "Well done, you have probably just killed somebody because you cannot be arsed to turn your neck".

Bloody hell. Hope he's ok. Happens all the time unfortunately.

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

What the fook is a PCV valve??? I'm not the most technically mind but I am certainly a wee bit more clued up than the office goers your describing Q and I don't have the foggiest what that is!

Positive Crankcase Ventalation valve

(yea i googled it) never knew it was called that though

Otherwise known as crankcase breather. i think they mean -ensure it is clear????? and recycling bottom end gases back through the intake manifold so they are burnt off. System varies engine to engine.

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

Otherwise known as crankcase breather.

Thats what i thought, never heard it called PCV before

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

What the fook is a PCV valve??? I'm not the most technically mind but I am certainly a wee bit more clued up than the office goers your describing Q and I don't have the foggiest what that is!

Same here, I'm mechanically inept but I at least know how to change a wheel unlike Q's office dwellers. Most of that guide is common sense but I'd probably never need a compass unless I plan on orienteering through the woods.

Must be a very old advice notice as it has no recommendation for a fully charged mobile phone


We always used to keep night-lite candels in the truck cabs so that if your heating,engine or otherwise failed they would keep the temperature above freezing within the vehicle.

distributor.. wtf are we back in the early 90's?