AS the cold weather sets in, the police are urging motorists to check their vehicles and ensure they are ready for winter driving conditions.

Inspector Brian Wood, Greater Manchester Police's road safety officer, said: "Now is the time to have your vehicle checked thoroughly. Winter driving puts vehicles to the test and so it is essential to ensure your vehicle is fit for the road."

Police have issued a winter checklist for drivers:

Check wiper blades for cracks and defects and replace if necessary. Salt takes its toll on wipers.

Top up the washer level with the correct fluid for winter temperatures to ensure it does not freeze up in a coldsnap.

Check tyre condition, tread and pressures. The wrong tyre pressures can induce skids and sliding. Check the spare.

Check all lights and mirrors. Replace if faulty.

Check oil levels and anti-freeze.

Listen and take heed of weather warnings.

If the weather is atrocious, don't travel, make other arrangements.

Before every journey when the roads are salted, wipe over all the vehicle lights so you can be seen. Wipe the windows and give yourself a clearer view.

Pouring hot water over the windscreen risks cracking it and as it cools rapidly will probably quickly freeze over. Use a proprietary de-icer and ice or snow scraper.

Water poured over locks causes them to freeze solid, causing further problems. Before a cold spell spray the barrel with a light penetrating oil to prevent them freezing for quite some time.

Do not move off until you can see through all the windows. Allow extra time to prepare your vehicle in a morning. Use your car heater demister blower.

Do not leave your car unattended while thawing with the engine running, even if your vehicle is on the drive or the road outside. Also, don't leave the keys in the ignition while on the petrol forecourt.

Allow more space between you and the vehicle in front.