Driving in snow can be challenging, even for experienced drivers. Roads that are normally easy to navigate can quickly become slippery, visibility can drop, and stopping distances can increase significantly.
The good news is that a little preparation and a few changes to your driving habits can make winter driving much safer. Whether you're dealing with light snowfall or a major winter storm, these 10 essential car tips can help you stay safer and maintain better control of your vehicle.
1. Check Your Tires Before You Drive
Your tires are the only part of your car that directly contacts the road, so their condition becomes even more important when driving on snow and ice.
Before heading out, check your tire pressure and tread depth. Cold temperatures can cause tire pressure to drop, while worn tread can reduce your ability to maintain traction.
If you regularly drive in areas with heavy snowfall, consider using winter tires. They are designed to remain flexible in cold temperatures and provide better traction on snow and ice than many standard all-season tires.
2. Clear Snow and Ice From Your Car
Don't just clear the windshield and start driving.
Remove snow and ice from the roof, hood, trunk, windows, mirrors, headlights, and taillights. Snow left on the roof can slide forward while you're driving and block your view. It can also blow onto other vehicles and create a hazard.
Make sure your windshield is completely clear before leaving. Never rely on a small opening in the windshield to see through.
3. Accelerate Slowly
One of the biggest mistakes drivers make in snowy conditions is accelerating too aggressively.
When you press the accelerator too hard, the tires can spin instead of gripping the road. This is particularly noticeable when starting from a stop on an icy or snow-covered surface.
Instead, apply the accelerator gently and gradually. Give the tires time to find traction.
If your vehicle has a traction-control system, keep it activated unless your owner's manual specifically recommends temporarily disabling it.
4. Leave More Distance Between Vehicles
Snow and ice can dramatically increase stopping distances.
Even if you're driving at a relatively low speed, your vehicle may need much more room to stop than it would on dry pavement.
Leave significantly more following distance than you normally would. Avoid driving too close behind another vehicle, especially trucks and buses that can block your visibility or throw snow onto your windshield.
The worse the road conditions, the more space you should leave.
5. Brake Gently and Early
Sudden braking can cause a vehicle to lose traction, particularly on icy roads.
Instead of waiting until the last moment, anticipate stops and begin slowing down earlier than usual.
If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), press the brake pedal firmly during an emergency stop and allow the system to work. You may feel the brake pedal pulsing under your foot. This is normal.
The best approach, however, is to avoid sudden braking whenever possible.
6. Slow Down Before Turning
Turning while traveling too quickly can make it difficult to maintain control on a slippery road.
Reduce your speed before entering a corner. Then steer smoothly through the turn without making sudden movements.
Avoid accelerating hard while turning, especially on snow or ice. Smooth steering, braking, and acceleration are much more effective than abrupt inputs.
Think of every movement behind the wheel as something you want to do gradually.
7. Avoid Cruise Control on Snow and Ice
Cruise control can be convenient on dry highways, but it isn't a good choice when the road is covered with snow or ice.
If the tires lose traction while cruise control is active, the system may continue trying to maintain the selected speed. This can make it harder to respond appropriately to changing road conditions.
Keep your attention focused on the road and control the accelerator yourself when conditions are slippery.
8. Know What to Do If Your Car Starts to Slide
Even careful drivers can encounter a skid.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the most important thing is to remain calm. Avoid suddenly slamming on the brakes or making a violent steering correction.
Look in the direction you want the vehicle to travel and steer smoothly in that direction. Avoid overcorrecting, because a large steering input can create another skid in the opposite direction.
The exact response can vary depending on whether the vehicle is experiencing understeer, oversteer, or another type of loss of traction. Understanding how your particular vehicle behaves can be helpful before winter arrives.
9. Keep Your Visibility Clear
Snow isn't the only visibility problem during winter.
Road spray, freezing rain, fog, and dirty windshield glass can make it difficult to see other vehicles and road markings.
Make sure your windshield washer fluid is rated for freezing temperatures and keep your wipers in good condition. Turn on your headlights when visibility is reduced, and make sure your headlights and taillights are free of snow and ice.
If visibility becomes extremely poor, the safest option may be to pull over somewhere safe and wait for conditions to improve.
10. Carry an Emergency Kit
Before driving in serious winter weather, prepare your vehicle for the possibility of getting stranded.
A basic winter emergency kit can include:
- Warm blankets
- Gloves and extra clothing
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Phone charger or power bank
- Bottled water
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Jumper cables or a portable jump starter
- Reflective warning devices
- A small shovel
It's also a good idea to keep your fuel tank reasonably full during severe winter weather. Running out of fuel in freezing conditions can turn a difficult situation into a dangerous one.
Drive Smoothly, Not Quickly
The key to driving safely in snow isn't simply having a powerful car or an advanced all-wheel-drive system. Good preparation and smooth driving habits matter just as much.
All-wheel drive can help a vehicle accelerate in slippery conditions, but it doesn't eliminate the need for caution. Your vehicle can still lose traction when braking or cornering on snow and ice.
When the roads become snowy, slow down, increase your following distance, make gentle inputs, and give yourself more time to react.
And if conditions become too dangerous, remember that you don't have to drive. Sometimes the safest winter driving decision is to wait until the roads improve.
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