PAPER making! FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL Volume 7, Number 3, 2021
o Hunger = anger and frustration when stuck in one place with no escape o The food could be in the car for months without being eaten (unlikely), but there is nothing worse than being stuck in a car for hours, unable to find somewhere to stop for food and feeling hungry. o Foods such as cereal bars, packets of crisps, dried fruit or pretzels are ideal x Water o It goes without saying really that you need to keep hydrated. Don’t drink so much that you need a toilet break when you’re miles from the nearest rest stop, but keep some bottles of water in the car x A torch o We recommend a wind-up one unless you have spare batteries in the glove box x Engine oil x Washer fluid x Coolant x Spare tyre kit o Repair kit/spare tyre o Car jack o Locking wheel nut key x A pack of playing cards or games o We’ve said it before (Road Trip Tips) and we’ll say it again, if you’re travelling with kids and there is a chance that you’re going to be stuck in traffic for hours (as is the possibility when travelling over Christmas) then you’ll need something to distract/amuse them. Winter vehicle tips and tricks Keeping your car roadworthy and also safe from the elements in the winter is important, especially if you don’t tend to drive it much over the colder months. So, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks that will help you to maintain your vehicle and keep it in good condition in the winter. Where should I store my car in the winter? The winter weather can be harsh and if you are wondering where to store your car to keep it in the best condition, we would recommend storing it in a safe and dry building (such as your garage). Before you store it, you should ensure that the oil and fluid levels are topped up, tyres are inflated to the recommended level and the battery is corrosion free. If you aren’t planning on driving your car over the winter then you may want to remove the battery – though you will need to store it in the house on a piece of wood and connected to a maintainer/tender. Condensation is a problem during the winter, so in order to prevent any moisture build-up inside your vehicle, roll the windows down around an inch. Fill any holes, such as the exhaust with steel wool balls or the fabric sheets you use in the washing machine to prevent mice or rats camping out in your car Of course, not everyone has access to a garage, especially with so many living in blocks of flats or new developments where parking is at a premium. The next best option is a cover that you can easily put on the car and take off when you’re heading off to work. A cover will protect your car from snow and ice, however, condensation can get trapped underneath it and, if it’s cold enough this will make the cover brittle. If this happens then the cover could crack when you try and remove it, it could also stick to the car. Some companies, like Autocovers, have now started to produce covers specifically designed for cold weather, protecting against frost and/or snow. A cover that is designed to fit your car properly can help to protect it better from the environment. Should I wash my car during the winter? The salt used to grit roads in the UK is actually corrosive to car exteriors so if you are driving anywhere over the holidays then be prepared to stand outside at some point and give your car a wash to protect it from the damage that could occur. You will need to make sur e that you can dry it off well if it’s not stored in a garage though, so it doesn’t freeze.
Article 12 – Safe Driving Tips
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