Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter – A MotaClarity Guide

With colder weather on the way, now is the ideal time for disabled drivers and passengers to prepare their vehicles for the challenges of winter. Lower temperatures, increased rainfall and darker days can all affect comfort, safety and mobility, especially for those who depend on vehicle adaptations or mobility equipment. Working with Mobility in Motion, we have created a practical guide that looks at the vehicle features, accessories and adaptations that can help keep you safe and comfortable during the cold winter months.

Tyres, Visibility & Core Winter Checks

One of the simplest upgrades with the biggest impact is fitting winter tyres. Their softer rubber compound grips the road more effectively in cold or icy conditions, which helps with traction and control. Most UK motoring organisations recommend at least 3mm of tyre tread depth for cold, wet weather, even if the legal minimum is 1.6mm.

Clear visibility is also crucial. Heated wing mirrors help prevent fog and ice build-up, while modern LED headlights can make a noticeable difference on dark, wet roads. A good screenwash is something many people overlook. Use a winter grade solution formulated to resist freezing to ensure that wipers can clear slush, salt and grit effectively. Look for a screenwash rated to at least –10°C for typical UK temperatures. Without it, drivers risk impaired vision when conditions deteriorate.

Many dealerships offer free vehicle winter checks, so look around and see if a local garage will check essentials like tyres, brake pads, discs and brake fluid levels for you.

Comfort & Accessibility Features For Cold Weather

For many disabled motorists, comfort is closely linked to mobility. Heated seats are a great feature that provides gentle warmth that can reduce stiffness during winter journeys. If your vehicle does not include them, heated seat covers can deliver the same benefits. Heated steering wheels are great too.

All weather mats can also play a useful role by trapping moisture, mud and grit brought into the vehicle by mobility aids and muddy shoes. This reduces slipping risks inside the cabin and keeps the floor safer for transfers.

Maintaining Your Specialist Vehicle Adaptations

Winter doesn’t have to slow you down, vehicle adaptations are designed to make transfers easier and are generally low-maintenance, even in colder conditions. Regular checks and simple care can keep them performing smoothly, so you can continue enjoying safe and comfortable journeys.

Cold weather may affect certain components, but small routines go a long way. Keeping hinges and fittings clean ensures everything operates reliably.

Drivers and passengers can benefit from the ease that adaptations bring, even when pavements or car parks are icy or wet. Equipment like transfer plates and person hoists continue to support smooth, safe transfers, reducing the effort needed to get in and out of the vehicle.

Protecting mobility aids from the elements is also simple but effective. Utilising adaptations such as boot hoists and wheelchair roof boxes enable your device to stay in top condition.

Try to operate your adaptations every few days, even when not travelling, to prevent mechanisms from stiffening in cold conditions. If any adaptation begins to feel stiff, noisy or unusually resistant, arranging a quick inspection can prevent more problems later.

Mobility in Motion reaffirms this: “At Mobility in Motion, we understand that your vehicle adaptations are more than just modifications, they’re your freedom. Especially in winter, keeping them in top working condition ensures you can drive safely, confidently, and without compromise, no matter the weather.”

EV Considerations In Winter

Drive an Electric Vehicle (EV)? Electric vehicle owners face their own unique challenges. Electric cars behave differently in cold weather, so EV drivers should plan ahead. Battery performance typically drops in low temperatures, which means shorter range and slower charging. Pre-conditioning the vehicle from a smartphone app while it is plugged in can warm the inside of the car and battery in advance and helps preserve range. Interestingly, heated seats and steering wheels use much less energy than the main heater, making them an efficient way to stay warm without placing extra strain on the battery.

Charging may also take slightly longer in winter, so planning ahead with tools like the Zapmap app helps ensure you always know where the nearest accessible charging point is.

Planning Ahead For Safer Winter Travel

Preparing for winter is not just about the vehicle. Checking weather conditions, planning routes and allowing extra time for loading mobility equipment can all help reduce stress during a journey. Explore Mobility in Motion’s Stress-Free Travel Checklist For Disabled Drivers & Passengers. 

You should also keep a small emergency kit in your vehicle. Items such as a thermal blanket, a portable phone charger, essential medication, water and a torch are helpful should you become stranded.

If you drive a Motability vehicle, remember that RAC breakdown cover is included. Keep your membership details somewhere easy to find in case you need it.

Winter driving requires a little more patience and preparation, but with the right equipment and some simple checks, it is entirely manageable. These measures are not luxuries for disabled drivers; they are essential for ensuring that driving during the most challenging months of the year remains safe and trouble-free.

For more insights into vehicle adaptations and accessible motoring solutions, visit Mobility in Motion’s adaptations page and explore the full range of resources available on MotaClarity.