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Take care, stay safe

A guide to good winter driving

Each winter, many motorists will suffer a car breakdown in the cooler temperatures (especially at night) across the Middle East. Even though it’s an unfortunate thing to happen, there is still the unpleasant experience of having to find help, call the police or a tow truck to assist, all the while battling the different temperatures.

To help prevent a breakdown, we ask the experts at BMW Group Middle East for some easy to follow tips for safe driving this winter:

Servicing

The fluctuation in temperatures between the excessive heat in summer and colder winter climes put excessive strain on mechanical components like cooling systems, batteries and tyre pressure; so it follows that the older your car, the more susceptible it is to such problems.

“While we always recommend regular servicing and maintenance of your vehicle, getting it checked over the summer period is particularly important. It’s imperative to make sure everything is in working condition; it could save you a pretty penny in the long run and will also provide you with peace of mind. We would also advise drivers to take your car to an authorised service centre to ensure you are getting qualified servicing and that the parts that are used on your car are genuine,” said the BMW Group Middle East representative.

If you have not had time to book your car in for a service this winter, here are a few self-check tips you can do at home to at least make sure it is ready for a long, hot trip. Before you pull out of the driveway, check that your vehicle has:

· Enough engine coolant

· Oil and water filters are at the correct levels

· The air conditioning filter works efficiently

· A full tank of fuel. Never leave it until you reach your reserve!

· The correct tyre pressures

· A tread depth of at least 1.6mm, the recommended depth

Your local garage 
should be able to assist 
you with all the above points. Another tip to bear in mind is that even though you may be cool at the wheel, your engine may not — so keep an eye on your temperature gauge. Overheating can potentially lead to engine failure.

Insurance and Roadside Assistance

If you are planning road trips across the region, make sure that you have adequate motor insurance to cover you on the road or if you are involved in a collision. Also check with your insurance company what your roadside assistance entitles you to. BMW has many packages for customers that include free roadside assistance and warranties to ensure peace of mind motoring, high levels of quality, reliability and of course, sheer driving pleasure.

It goes without saying that when you are travelling on long journeys, ensure you have enough fuel but also remember to bring sufficient water with you in case of an emergency. And it is also common knowledge that speeding is the number one cause of crashes on our roads, so please slow down.