Remember last winter? If you were among the thousands stranded by extreme weather, you’ll know just how important it is to go prepared, writes Ray Castle of motors.co.uk.

Even if your trip is no more than a short hop across town, it can turn to misery should the conditions turn nasty.

While there’s no way to guarantee you won’t get stuck in the snow or ice, there’s plenty you can do to improve your chances of staying safe and comfortable.

We’ve put together a list of essentials for you to take on every journey together with driving hints plus keen advice what to do if you get stuck.

Your car

First, ensure that all its lamps work. Then check the windscreen for chips because a sudden drop to freezing can turn a small mark into a full-on crack. A repair specialist can often fix a minor defect without fitting a new screen. Examine front and rear wipers and replace them if they smear the screen or if the blades are split.

Lift the bonnet and look at the battery. Many now have a condition indicator – usually on the top of the casing. If this is green, the battery should be OK. But if it is red or black, plan to get the battery replaced soon. Ensure that its connectors are tight and clean.

Put extra additive into the screen wash bottle to help it stay liquid

While you’re there, put extra additive into the screen wash bottle to help it stay liquid at lower temperatures.

Look at the expansion tank for the cooling system and make sure that the level is above the minimum and that the fluid looks clean and bright.

Next, turn to the wheels and tyres. Ensure that the rims and tyre sidewalls haven’t any cuts or bumps. Look at the tread. To stay legal the tyres must have at least 1.6mm all round. To measure this, take a 10p coin and jam it between the tread. If the milling around its edge remains visible, it’s time to buy new ‘uns. Once the tread drops below 3mm, however, grip reduces a fair bit so it’s no bad thing to swap tyres before they drop too close to the limit.

Emergency kit

Just in case you do become stranded, put together a stash of supplies to keep in your car, which should include:

• De-icer and a scraper
• An old blanket or duvet
• A torch, with spare batteries
• A spade
• A coat, hat, scarf and gloves
• Spare shoes and socks
• A drink and a snack
• A hi-vis jacket
• An old sack or piece of carpet (to put under the wheels for grip)
• Breakdown assistance membership cards and emergency numbers
• A first-aid kit
• Battery jump leads (but use them only if you know how)

And on every journey, take a fully charged mobile phone. Before you leave, let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive.

Driving in ice and snow

You needn’t drive an all-wheel-drive car to keep going safely. Follow our advice and any regular saloon, hatchback or MPV stands a chance of keeping going.

Most modern cars have front-wheel drive, which better traction in poor conditions because it pulls the vehicle along. Most BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes have rear-wheel drive, as do sports cars such as Mazda’s MX-5. Generally, these are less able. Cars with manual gearboxes offer greater control than those having automatic gearboxes.

Newer Land Rovers have a specific setting for driving in ice and snow, where their four-wheel drive systems will keep them going when others must give up. When driving any 4×4, however, you shouldn’t place utter faith in its ability. Drive to every wheel improves traction but doesn’t give limitless grip, so go carefully!

As soon as the going gets slippy, slow down and hang well back from the vehicle ahead, particularly on the motorway. Use the two second rule, meaning that you time the gap between you and whoever’s in front. Accelerate, steer and brake gently.

If the car begins to skid, your instinct is to brake and attempt to steer out of trouble. But the best plan is to keep your feet off the brakes, dip the clutch, keep the steering straight and wait until the wheels grip once more. Once you can feel this happening, drive steadily on if you can.

Watch for early signs of ice – does the road ahead glisten and does the steering feel suddenly light?

Keep the screen demister going and boost it by turning up the fan. If your car has air conditioning turn it on – it’ll help keep the windows clear of moisture.

Tune to a local radio station for reports of weather and driving conditions.

If you get stuck

Don't panic if you get stuck

Don’t panic. Stay with the car unless you’re only a short distance from home. Call your breakdown service for advice and then, if needed, the police. Don’t ask a friend of family member to come and rescue you unless you and they are sure that they’ll reach where you are.

Keep warm: put on whatever extra clothing you have. Stay in the car unless it is too risky to do so.

Leave the engine running, but only after checking that snow isn’t clogging the exhaust – which could cause dangerous fumes to enter the car.

Open a window a crack to get fresh air and ease condensation. Keep the radio tuned to a local station for weather reports and advice.

For more great car buying advice and to view and buy new and second-hand cars, click on to motors.co.uk. Surf the web using your mobile phone? Go to http://mobile.motors.co.uk/ or text ‘motors’ to 65056 and we’ll send you a link. If you’ve an iPhone, you can download the motors.co.uk app for free. Go to the ‘utilities’ section of the iTunes store.