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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Amber O'Connor & Sophie Buchan

Drivers warned about common screenwash mistake as people urged to take care on roads

If you haven't felt the cold already and if you take a peak outside, you'll find that there is likely snow with more on its way, according to the Met Office. Meaning winter is officially here.

And with the weather only set to get colder, with wintry conditions now becoming more common, drivers have been urged to take care if they are going behind the wheel with experts reminding people about their safety.

It comes as motorists, according to the Mirror, are 20 per cent more likely to be involved in a car accident during wintry conditions, and with this in mind, it has never been more important to prioritise safety

There's a common mistake drivers make when topping up their washer fluid. (Getty 2022.)

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But with the colder days now well and truly here, motorists across the country are bracing themselves for some dangerous driving conditions with many now opting to stay inside and avoid travelling if possible.

From reading up on tips, to preparing your car well, there's lots drivers can do to help keep everyone safe. Thankfully, an auto expert at Dick Lovett has revealed what mistakes drivers make when preparing their cars for snow and ice - and with more on the way for Glasgow and the surrounding area such as East Kilbride, drivers have been urged to make sure they know what they are doing.

One common oversight many people forget about before hitting the road is all to do with how you dilute the all important screenwash - which should always be topped up. However some may forget you need to change the dilution ratio depending on the time of the year.

The expert explains: "Too much water could end up freezing your windscreen washer system, as dilution ratios for winter weather are completely different from the summer."

Your best bet is to follow the instructions on the bottle, but the expert also has advice for checking you are using the right amount of water.

Dick Lovett added: "To prevent freezing you should check the suggested dilution ratios that may be provided on the bottle, otherwise, a good rule of thumb is to ensure your solution is more concentrated during the winter period."

Other crucial checks that drivers should do is to check your tyres regularly as well as your wipers for tears. You should also avoid using windshield wipers to remove ice, snow or frost as this can cause tears in your wiper blades, according to the pros. Instead, people are advised to use a scraper.

You'll also want to avoid using boiling water. "Defrost your windows and windscreen correctly- using boiling water directly on the glass could cause it to crack. Instead, try heating your windscreen from the inside of the car and using a scraper, or de-icer."

What's more, it is worth prepping an SOS snow kit, in case something goes awry despite your preparations. In the chance you do get stuck in the snow, you will be glad you packed one. The expert recommends including high-vis jackets, blankets, a shovel, a portable charger, a tow rope and towing eye.

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