The first snowy morning of the season always catches some drivers out. The good news is that safe winter driving is mostly about habits you can learn and practice. This guide covers how to get your car ready, how to drive on snow and ice, what to do in a skid and how to handle getting stuck.
Get the car ready before the bad weather arrives
A car that is well prepared is much easier to drive safely when conditions turn. Before winter properly settles in, work through a few basics:
- Tires. Tread depth and pressure matter more in winter than at any other time. Tire pressure drops as temperatures fall, so check it more often and set it to the figure on the sticker inside the driver’s door, not the number on the tire sidewall. If you live where snow is common, winter tires grip far better in cold conditions than all-season tires.
- Battery. Cold weather is hard on weak batteries. If yours is a few years old, test it before the first freeze. Our guide to testing a car battery with a multimeter walks through it.
- Wipers and washer fluid. Replace streaky wiper blades and fill the reservoir with a winter washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures.
- Lights. Make sure headlights, brake lights and turn signals all work and the lenses are clean.
- Emergency kit. Keep a winter kit in the car. Our list of car accessories for winter covers what to pack, from a scraper and blanket to a phone charger and snacks.
Clear the whole car, not just a peephole
Before you set off, brush snow off the roof, hood, trunk, lights and every window. Snow left on the roof can slide down over the windshield when you brake, or blow off into the path of the driver behind you. Clear the side mirrors too, and make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t blocked by snow before you start the engine.
If the glass is frosted or fogged, give the defroster time to work. Our step-by-step guide on how to defrost a windshield explains the fastest safe method and what never to do, such as pouring hot water on cold glass.
Starting off and accelerating
On snow and ice, smooth inputs are everything. Press the accelerator gently so the tires don’t spin. If the wheels do spin, ease off and try again more gently. Spinning tires polish snow into ice.
Some cars have a winter or snow driving mode that softens throttle response; check your owner’s manual. In a manual car, pulling away in second gear can reduce wheelspin. Traction control helps, but it can’t create grip that isn’t there.
Leave much more space and brake early
Stopping distances grow dramatically on wet snow, packed snow and ice. The single most useful habit is to leave a much bigger gap to the car ahead than you would on a dry road, and to start braking well before you need to stop.
How you brake depends on your car:
- With anti-lock brakes (ABS), which most modern cars have, press the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing. You may feel the pedal pulse and hear a grinding noise. That’s the system working. Keep your foot down and steer where you want to go.
- Without ABS, brake gently and progressively. If the wheels lock, ease off the pedal slightly until they turn again, then reapply.
Slow down before a curve, not in it. Bridges, overpasses and shaded stretches often freeze before the rest of the road, so treat them with extra care.
Steering and handling a skid
Steer smoothly and avoid jerking the wheel. If the car starts to slide:
- Take your foot off the accelerator.
- Look and steer gently in the direction you want the car to go.
- Avoid slamming on the brakes, which can make a skid worse in a car without ABS.
- Be ready for the car to straighten up and steer back as it regains grip.
Cruise control should stay off on slippery roads. You want full control of the throttle at all times.
Hills, black ice and poor visibility
Hills
Build a little momentum before an uphill stretch, then keep a steady speed rather than accelerating hard on the slope itself. Going downhill, slow down before the descent and use a lower gear if your car allows it.
Black ice
Black ice is a thin, clear layer of ice that looks like a wet road. Watch for it when temperatures hover around freezing, especially early in the morning and after dark. If the road looks shiny but there’s no spray coming off the tires ahead of you, slow down.
Visibility
Turn on your headlights in falling snow, even in daytime, so other drivers can see you. Keep the windows clear with the defroster and the washer fluid, and keep side mirrors clear of snow and spray. In whiteout conditions, the safest choice is often to postpone the trip.
If you get stuck or stranded
If your wheels are stuck in snow, straighten the steering, clear snow away from the tires and try rocking gently between forward and reverse with light throttle. Sand, cat litter or traction mats under the drive wheels can help.
If you become stranded, stay with your car unless help is close and clearly safe to reach. Your car gives you shelter and is easy to spot. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and run the engine only for short periods to warm up, with a window cracked slightly to avoid a buildup of carbon monoxide. Turn on the hazard lights and call for help if you can.
Small extras that help
A few low-cost items earn their place in a winter car. A combined seat belt cutter and window breaker, such as this Multifunctional Window Glass Breaker and Seat Belt Cutter, belongs somewhere the driver can reach without unbuckling. Side mirror guards like these car side mirror rain guards can help shield the mirror glass from rain and sleet, although you will still need to clear snow off by hand.
FAQ
Are all-season tires enough for winter?
In places with occasional light snow they can be fine with careful driving. Where snow and ice are regular, winter tires give noticeably better grip in the cold.
Should I let the engine warm up before driving?
Most modern cars only need a short warm-up. Clear the windows fully and drive gently for the first few miles.
Does four-wheel drive help me stop?
No. All-wheel and four-wheel drive help you get moving, but they don’t shorten braking distances. Drive at a speed that suits the conditions.
What should I do if I start to skid?
Ease off the accelerator, look where you want to go and steer gently in that direction. Avoid sudden braking or jerking the wheel.
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Top image: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.