Be prepared

Make sure you're always appropriately prepared for our fickle climate, whatever it may throw at you. It's only common sense really. Green Flag has breakdown insurance for you.

All year round

Don't carry too much

a cramped, cluttered car will just make you and anyone else on board irritable - especially kids.

Carry these:

• Torch - be sure it works, and carry spare batteries.
• Sunglasses - not just a summer essential. Low autumn, winter or bright spring sun can be tricky too. Choose a pair with a British Standard kitemark, BS2724.
• List of directions - for planning your route in advance.
• Maps - make sure they're not old and out-of-date.
• Compass - invaluable aid for route finding.
• Spare bulbs - lights can blow at any time, keep a set of spares on board.
• Screen wash top-up - year round, you don't want to run out.
• Wet wipes - for dealing with sticky marks and grubby fingers.
• Rubbish bag - for collecting scraps of paper, sweet wrappers, and general debris.
• Stowage box - in the boot to contain small, loose items of shopping.
• First aid kit - just in case ...

Seasonal checklist

Summer

• Fluids - carry enough to drink so you never risk dehydrating.
• Sunscreen - you can get burned inside the car through an open window or sunroof. Choose factor 15 or above.
• Insect repellent - to deter those stinging menaces.
• Hat - essential if you have an open-top car. Beware of heat stroke.
• Radiator top-up - essential if your car is old and prone to overheating.

Winter

• Scraper, de-icer - you never know when the temperature will suddenly drop.
• Shovel - to dig your way out of trouble in snow.
• Mat or piece of old carpet - to put under the wheels for extra traction in snow.
• Clothes, rug, blanket - if you get stranded in winter, the car will be an icebox. Be sure you can keep warm.
• Wellington boots - your normal shoes may be unsuitable if you have to get out of the car in bad weather.
• Food and warm drink - for emergency use, if you get stuck, keep some chocolate and a freshly filled flask on board.

Before any long journey

• Walk around the car and look for any signs of potential trouble, especially tyres and lights.
• Check tyre pressures, spare included.
• Check all fluid levels and top up as necessary.

Clothes for driving

We all like to be in fashion, but when we're driving it sometimes has to take a back seat. Safety and comfort are far more important. The latest in trendy gear can be risky if it interferes with your control of the car.

Driving dress sense

Dress for comfort in the car, not to be on show. In cool weather, wrap up warmly enough to be relaxed without feeling the need to turn the heating up high. But don't overdo it with thick winter clothes. Driving in a heavy, bunched-up winter coat restricts your movement and can be hazardous. Take off your outdoor gear before you drive.

Wear practical shoes. Nobody looks at your feet while you're driving, so fashion can go on hold until you exit the car. Wearing the wrong kind of shoes behind the wheel can be highly dangerous.

Styles unsuited to driving

• Platforms - they are heavy and have thick soles, so they're awkward to manoeuvre on the pedals, blunt what you can feel, and risk becoming jammed.
• Stilettos - high, sharply pointed heels risk becoming caught in the floor mat, and hold your foot at the wrong angle for driving safely.
• Strappy sandals - flimsy, loose shoes may slip on the pedals, or expose your feet to painful abrasions.
• Trainers - thick, chunky air soles restrict movement and the ridges may catch against the pedals. Not enough feel between your foot and the controls.
• Mules, clogs, and slippers - these are not secure enough and may slip off as you drive. You need shoes that stay securely on the foot.
• Boots - too restrictive of ankle movement, and knee-length styles can catch against the seat.

The ideal type of driving shoe has a thin, reasonably smooth sole and a low, thick heel. New shoes may be too polished and slippery underneath until they have been worn for a while, so 'walk them in' before using them for driving. If you are a woman and change shoes for driving, leave the pair you're not wearing stowed out of sight when you park, so as not to advertise that it's a woman's car.