How to prepare your car for winter.
Prepare your car for winter driving with our winter car checklist. And learn about Breakdown Cover with Tesco Car Insurance.
Published: 20 January 2026
Why winter prep matters
At Tesco Car Insurance, we saw a 37% increase in snow and ice claims last winter*. Incidents on the road are more likely at this time of year. So, wherever you’re headed, it’s important to prepare your car for winter driving.
Carrying out some basic checks could help to avoid a breakdown in bad weather. But it could also help to prevent an accident and mean you won’t have to you make a car insurance claim.
How to prepare for driving in snow and ice
Get your car ready with our simple winter car checklist. Remember: a quick check before you go beats a long wait at the roadside later if something goes wrong.
1. Check your tyres
Take some simple steps to make sure your tyres have got a good grip on the road.
- Check the depth of the tread - the legal minimum is 1.6mm, but more is better in winterCheck the depth of the tread - the legal minimum is 1.6mm, but more is better in winter
- Check your tyre pressure regularly - make sure they’re inflated correctly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions for your carCheck your tyre pressure regularly - make sure they’re inflated correctly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions for your car
- Think about changing your tyres - quality all season or winter tyres will give you extra grip in snow and iceThink about changing your tyres - quality all season or winter tyres will give you extra grip in snow and ice
2. Test your headlights
It’s an offence to drive without working headlights at night or when visibility’s poor. Make sure you can see the road ahead - and that others can see you coming. It’ll help to prevent accidents.
- Replace any dim or broken bulbsReplace any dim or broken bulbs
- Clean the lenses so your lights can shine clearlyClean the lenses so your lights can shine clearly
- Think about changing to brighter bulbs or LEDs if your lights aren’t bright enoughThink about changing to brighter bulbs or LEDs if your lights aren’t bright enough
3. Check your wipers and screenwash
Make sure your wipers are in good condition for the winter. And your screenwash is always topped up.
- Replace your wiper blades if they start to smear or they’re showing signs of wearReplace your wiper blades if they start to smear or they’re showing signs of wear
- Top up with winter-grade screenwash - rated to at least -10°C.Top up with winter-grade screenwash - rated to at least -10°C.
Remember to turn your wipers off before switching off the engine. It’ll help to stop them sticking to a frozen windscreen if the temperature drops.
4. Keep an emergency kit in your car
You should always take your phone with you when you go out in the car. You might need it to call for help, especially in winter.
It’s a good idea to have some other things to hand as well.
The minimum you’ll need:
- Charging cable for your phoneCharging cable for your phone
- Ice scraperIce scraper
- Can of de-icerCan of de-icer
- Microfibre cloths - for clearing your windows, inside and outMicrofibre cloths - for clearing your windows, inside and out
- Tyre inflator or foot pumpTyre inflator or foot pump
The more you have the better:
- TorchTorch
- Small shovel - to help dig your tyres out if you’re stuck in snowSmall shovel - to help dig your tyres out if you’re stuck in snow
- High vis jacket - to help you to be seen, if you break down and need to get out of your carHigh vis jacket - to help you to be seen, if you break down and need to get out of your car
- Fleece and blanket - to keep warm, if you’re waiting for help in the coldFleece and blanket - to keep warm, if you’re waiting for help in the cold
- Snacks and drinking waterSnacks and drinking water
Think: see, be seen, keep moving, and have a Plan B in the boot!
You can learn more about the essentials to keep in your car in our guide - What to include in your car emergency kit.
5. Check your fuel or battery charge
Don’t leave yourself short on fuel, whatever kind of car you drive. You never know what might happen.
- Keep at least a quarter to half a tank of fuel (or adequate EV charge) in case of emergencies or delays.Keep at least a quarter to half a tank of fuel (or adequate EV charge) in case of emergencies or delays.
- Precondition EVs where possible.Precondition EVs where possible.
If you have an electric car, the battery and how much charge it can hold can be affected by the cold. So always check the manufacturer's instructions.
You can learn more about electric car batteries in our EV guides:
- Electric car battery guide Electric car battery guide
- Common problems with electric carsCommon problems with electric cars
6. Make sure your car insurance is up to date
Make sure you’ve got the right car insurance in place, so you’re covered if something goes wrong on the road.
With Tesco Car Insurance, you can choose Gold, Silver or Bronze comprehensive cover. And you can save money with you Clubcard.
You can learn more about comprehensive car cover in our guide - What is comprehensive car insurance?
7. Think about car breakdown cover
Breakdown cover can help if you’ve got a problem with your car that you can’t easily fix at the roadside. Especially in winter conditions.
If you have Tesco Car Insurance, you can add optional extras to get more cover for an additional cost. This includes Breakdown Cover, with 24/7 roadside assistance from the experts at the RAC.
Other optional extras available with Tesco Car Insurance are:
- Key CoverKey Cover
- Motor Legal ProtectionMotor Legal Protection
- Upgraded Courtesy CarUpgraded Courtesy Car
8. Ask yourself if you really need to travel
If there’s snow on the ground, or ice on the roads, it’s always better to postpone your trip and travel later if you can.
Snow and ice can make for treacherous conditions. Black ice especially, which can take you unawares, no matter how experienced a driver you are.
Look out the window. Check the weather forecast. If your journey isn’t essential, it’s better to accept a small inconvenience than taking a big risk on the road.
9. Get ready to drive on a cold winter morning
If your car’s frozen over, make sure it’s ready for the road before you set off.
- Fully de-ice and clear all windows and mirrors before moving - use a good ice scraper and some de-icer if you need to. Don’t just clear small areas of glass before you drive off. Leaving only ‘portholes’ to see out of can be dangerousFully de-ice and clear all windows and mirrors before moving - use a good ice scraper and some de-icer if you need to. Don’t just clear small areas of glass before you drive off. Leaving only ‘portholes’ to see out of can be dangerous
- Never use hot or boiling water on your windscreen - doing so could crack the glass. And the damage might not be covered by your car insurance policy, even if you have windscreen cover.Never use hot or boiling water on your windscreen - doing so could crack the glass. And the damage might not be covered by your car insurance policy, even if you have windscreen cover.
- Don’t leave your car with the engine running - ‘frost-jacking’ incidents have become more common in recent years. That’s where cars are stolen after being left to de-frost. If something happens to your car because you’ve left it unlocked, you might not be covered by your car insurance.Don’t leave your car with the engine running - ‘frost-jacking’ incidents have become more common in recent years. That’s where cars are stolen after being left to de-frost. If something happens to your car because you’ve left it unlocked, you might not be covered by your car insurance.
- Remove snow from the roof - make sure it can’t slide down onto the windscreen or fly off when you’re driving.Remove snow from the roof - make sure it can’t slide down onto the windscreen or fly off when you’re driving.
- Clean your number plates - by law, they need to be easily readableClean your number plates - by law, they need to be easily readable
What our specialists say
“Driving can be more difficult in winter. Cold weather makes your car more likely to break down. And that can mean more accidents that lead to car insurance claims.
There are things you can do to protect yourself and your car against the winter conditions. But it’s important to take these measures before it’s too late.”
Alex Cross, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Insurance
Keep moving with Breakdown Cover from the RAC
It’s important to be prepared when you go out on the road in winter. But if the unexpected does happen, our Breakdown Cover could help, so you’re not left stranded in the snow.
Depending on the level of cover you choose, our Breakdown Cover can include:
- 24/7 UK roadside assistance from the RAC24/7 UK roadside assistance from the RAC
- Home StartHome Start
- Vehicle recoveryVehicle recovery
- Travel supportTravel support
You can add Breakdown Cover as an optional extra when you buy Tesco Car Insurance.
Help for Car Insurance customers
If you’re a Tesco Car Insurance customer, find out how to manage your policy, get in touch or make a claim.
Important information
Tesco Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
Tesco Insurance Breakdown Cover is provided, administered and underwritten by RAC Insurance Ltd.
Motor Legal Protection is underwritten by AmTrust Specialty Limited.
You’ll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.
About our data
*Tesco Car Insurance claims data - Nov 2024-Feb 2025 vs Nov 2023-Feb 2024.
Learn more about Car Insurance
Compare our Gold, Silver and Bronze comprehensive cover and save money with your Clubcard. For drivers aged 21 and over.