Alex Eckford rounds up the top tips for driving in the cold weather.

Equipment
Keep these items in the car at all times:
• Ice scraper
• De-icer
• Blanket
• Jump leads
• Shovel
• Decent footwear
• First aid kit

Tyres
Make sure they have the correct pressure and plenty of tread (the legal minimum is 1.6mm).

Fuel
Keep your tank topped up. The more fuel, the more chance you have of reaching your destination and keeping warm if things go wrong.

Antifreeze
Make sure the windscreen washer bottle is topped up - use screenwash additives to stop freezing. And check the washer jets for direction and clogging. Spray a damp inhibitor (such as WD40) into the locks to prevent seizing.

Heat
It pays to check the heater is working properly so misting is minimised.

See and be seen
Check all exterior lights are working properly and are free from dirt. Make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition, your heated rear screen works correctly, and that your wing mirrors are clean.

Check your speed
If you're driving in icy conditions, slippery roads increase the chances of an accident. Brake sooner for corners, and don’t rely on stability systems like anti-lock brakes to keep you on the road. Keep more distance between yourself and the car in front - braking distances can be ten times greater on ice.

Check it out
If the dashboard displays any warning lights, get them checked out by a trained mechanic.

Battery
Make sure the battery levels are topped up (unless it's a sealed unit). Check the battery terminals are free from corrosion - petroleum jelly will prevent this.

Tune in
Make sure your radio is working, and stay tuned to get the latest weather reports.

Stay in
If things get really bad, only travel in exceptional circumstances.