Before you set off, we recommend that you take some safety precautions that will make your mountain driving more serene.
1 - Equip yourself with useful accessories
First of all, here is a non-exhaustive list of accessories that may be useful for your safety on a mountain road, especially in winter:
- a de-icing spray and a scraper to de-ice your windscreen and windows more quickly, for example if your car has been outside overnight in cold temperatures
- a shovel for snow removal
- a cardboard box to start the car if the wheels spin
- a blanket and warm clothes in case you are forced to wait in your car
- snacks and drinks
2 - Check the oil and coolant levels
No one likes to suffer from a breakdown, especially when the weather is cold and on exposed mountain roads, after all. To avoid this, we recommend that you check your oil level before setting off since this will be used to prevent the car's engine and other components from overheating. Coolant should also be topped up since this will help to maintain the engine's temperature beneath 100° C at all time. If the temperature should ever rise too high during your journey, the best thing to do would be to pull over at a suitable location and wait for a few minutes until the temperature drops.
3 - Check the headlights
On the road, it is essential to see and be seen, even more so on a mountain road where visibility can be made more difficult by fast-changing weather conditions and where there is no street lighting. Checking your headlights and tail lights will ensure that you are able to light your way and be seen by other motorists.
4 - Check the wipers
If it rains or snows, you'll need to rely on your windscreen wipers to ensure the best possible visibility. Also remember to check your windscreen washer fluid level.
5 - Check the tyres
There are two important things to check on your tyres:
- their level of wear.
- their pressure.
Tyre wear is inevitable over time and if it reaches the legal limit, it is dangerous to drive. This is because when the treads on your tyres have reached their maximum wear level, they are no longer able to offer the same performance, particularly on wet road. Find out how to check the wear level of your tyres.
Tyre pressure naturally decreases over time. A correct tyre pressure ensures good road handling, therefore a better safety, especially when driving downhill. It also prevents uneven and/or premature tyre wear. This is why it is strongly recommended to check the tyre pressure regularly, especially before going on a long journey or driving in the mountains.