How to drive in the snow

How to drive in the snowfall

Red Teslamodel s driving in snowy conditions

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Figuring out how to drive in the snow is no easy task, regardless of whether you've been on the roads 20 years or 20 days. Yous may be comfortable and competent on dry roads, but driving in the snowfall is another affair entirely. And if you're not used to doing it, the prospect of driving on snow and ice-covered roads tin can exist pretty daunting.

Only information technology doesn't have to be, and we've compiled this listing with helpful communication for anyone heading out onto frozen roads. Information technology doesn't affair how much experience yous have, or even if you have a snow-friendly auto like the Polestar 2 Chill Circle, this is all worth begetting in mind. Here are our essential tips on how to bulldoze in the snowfall safely.

Check out how to remove ice from a driveway

How to drive in the snowfall

ane. Accelerate gently

Snow and ice doesn't give much for your tires to grip onto, and quick and sudden application of the gas and brake pedals is more likely to brand you sideslip and sideslip around. Brand certain to lower your foot gently and smoothly, while keeping engine revs adequately low.

2. Plough on winter driving mode (if you take information technology)

If your car has a dedicated driving manner for winter or icy weather condition, be sure to turn it on. This essentially takes kickoff gear out of utilize, since setting off in second gear tin can get you moving without as much chance of the wheels slipping. Manual transmissions can get the aforementioned effect by setting off in second gear, and gently releasing the clutch.

3. Increase your stopping altitude

Snow is glace, which means less friction to help dull you downward. And so be sure to account for this past leaving actress space between you and the motorcar in front. AAA recommends a stopping time of five to 6 seconds to avoid rear-catastrophe whoever's alee of you.

4. Know how to deal with skidding

It'southward easy to panic if your car starts skidding, but as clichéd as it sounds that's merely going to make things worse. Keep at-home and effigy out which wheels are skidding, and act accordingly.

If your front end wheels are skidding, simply ease off the gas and stay off the brakes. Once the wheels regain traction, gently turn the steering wheel to point them in the right direction.

If your rear wheels showtime skidding, you accept to plough the steering bike the same direction that the back of your automobile is moving, ease off the gas pedal and stay clear of the brakes. Once they regain traction, steer dorsum in the direction you really want to become. If yous concentrate on where you want to go, rather than where your motorcar is actually doing, you should be able to cocky-correct pretty easily.

cars partially buried under snow — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

5. Anti-lock brakes are your friend

If you're in a sideslip that you tin can't recover from, or you need to stop as quickly as possible, your anti-lock brake system (ABS) tin can come to the rescue. Push downwards difficult on the restriction pedal, and don't let go — even if the car shudders equally the ABS activates. Most important, yet, is that yous go along to steer around obstacles. ABS lets you practice both, and this will aid you lot avoid hitting something earlier you regain control.

six. Know how to handle hills

If yous're struggling to become up a snow-laden loma, information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to put your foot down in the hopes that some extra power will go you moving the correct way. All this does, nevertheless, is increment the likelihood of your wheels spinning — and you going nowhere. Try to get some momentum before you attempt the colina, and avoid stopping while going uphill if you lot can; otherwise, all your inertia will exist lost.

7. Drive slowly downhill

Going downhill means gravity is doing what it does best, which presents some challenges. The key is to take it all slowly, particularly as you're coming over the crest of a hill. Downshift if you tin can — peculiarly if you're driving a manual — since this will limit your speed, and avoid using the brakes if you can assistance it.

It'due south too important not to turn the wheels while steering or accelerating, since this can decrease traction and increment the likelihood of skidding.

snowstorm with cars left on the side of the road — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

eight. Use your headlights

It may seem like mutual sense, but if at that place'due south some pretty heavy snowfall, you will need to turn on your headlights. If visibility gets even worse, below 300 feet or so, plough on your fog lamps. This isn't just to help yous see what's ahead, but as well then other cars can see you lot in the murk.

9. Stick to major roads

If you lot're in a place that's prepared for snow, chances are there's infrastructure in place to clear the roads and make driving easier — whether that's salt spreaders, snow plows or both. Major roadways will get the most attention, while side streets may non exist important or big enough to warrant work until later.

Plowed or salted roads will have significantly less snow and ice coverage, which makes them easier to bulldoze on compared to the untreated streets.

10. Give yourself more than time to travel

Driving in the snow is going to boring you and all the other drivers down. So if yous have to drive, be sure to requite yourself more time to get around. Driving in glace conditions is bad enough, but factor in the stress of being late and you're a four-wheeled accident waiting to happen.

tesla on snowy driveway — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

11. Be aware of what's happening around y'all

Sensation on the route is important in the best of atmospheric condition, but it's especially of import when it'southward snowy out. Always be mindful of the route alee, so you lot can fix yourself and your care. Whether it's an upcoming hill, or a piece of road that may be extra icy thanks to a lack of straight sunlight, knowing what'due south ahead gives you lot more than of an opportunity to act accordingly.

Besides, be more alert to what other drivers are doing, considering there's no guarantee that they know what they're doing. By keeping tabs on what they're doing, and keeping a respectful distance, yous have more time to react and avert collisions or other problems.

12. Make certain yous and your machine are prepared earlier yous go out

It pays to be prepared for whatsoever winter might throw your manner, especially if yous live in an expanse that gets a lot of snowfall. By making sure your car is prepared to drive in snow and common cold weather, y'all're going to brand life a lot easier until the atmospheric condition starts warming up again.

How to prepare your motorcar for driving in the snow

1. Think near investing in wintertime tires.

This is specially important in areas that become a lot of snow, since wintertime tires have a deeper tread and increased grip. What'due south more, winter tires are generally made of rubber that tin better withstand cold temperatures and stay flexible. This means you're going to go better braking and handling operation during the wintertime —specially in snowy, icy, or wet conditions.

Wintertime tires do lower fuel efficiency (and range, if yous drive electric), thanks to their lower rolling resistance, and y'all have to make the effort to change the tires over twice a twelvemonth. Nonetheless, the merchandise-off is certainly worth it, especially if you aren't so certain of your driving power in the snow.

ii. Bank check your tire pressure

Cold temperatures brand things compress, including the air in your tires. And then when the atmospheric condition gets colder, be certain to check the internal pressure is where information technology should be. Incorrect tire pressure level can increment wear, shortening tire lifespan in the process, and causes more drag — which affects your fuel economy/range.

woman in pink attaching snow chains to car wheels — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

three. Pack some snowfall chains, and acquire how to use them

If y'all're in a pinch, and the route is completely covered with compacted snow or water ice, snowfall chains can dramatically improve your grip and get you moving. Merely be certain you know how to utilise them before an emergency occurs, and that you don't utilise them on a bare road surface.

4. Go on your battery charged

Cold weather is notoriously bad for batteries, since cold temperatures affect the chemical process that lets your battery store electricity. In short, the colder the battery, the less power it can shop.

Information technology's worth recharging your battery at least once a week, peculiarly if the battery itself is more than three years former. Y'all tin do this with a trickle charger, or by running the engine. And, in case of emergencies, make sure you know how to jump start your car.

pouring windshield wiper fluid into snow-covered car — (Prototype credit: Shutterstock)

5. Cheque your wipers and wiper fluid

Liquids don't fare well in the common cold, then it's of import to check your wiper fluid earlier you prepare off. The freezing point of wiper fluid is pretty low, and then information technology doesn't happen often, merely it does withal occur and it's ameliorate to be safe. Likewise, make sure your wipers aren't frozen to the windshield, since trying to use them in this condition tin damage the command mechanism.

6. Defrost your windshield

You lot need total visibility when y'all're driving, so you know what's happening around you and because it'south usually confronting the constabulary non to. So it'southward important to know how to defrost your windshield, and help yourself out on the route much faster.

vii. Clear snow and ice off your car

If you lot go out your machine outside, or you lot get defenseless in some heavy snowfall, always make a signal of clearing the snow and ice off your automobile — not just the windshield, just the roof and hood, likewise. It merely takes a couple of minutes, and past removing information technology yourself, it'due south not going to fall off and either hurt someone or crusade harm while yous're driving.

Woman defrosting car windshield — (Prototype credit: Shutterstock)

viii. Dress warm

The concluding thing you lot desire is to get stuck in the snow while wearing little more than a T-shirt and shorts. So always make sure to dress accordingly for the weather when you're driving. Best example scenario, y'all save a little power by not having to heat the automobile. Worst example, you're wrapped up warm in case something goes incorrect.

9. Continue emergency supplies in your body

It'southward never a bad idea to go along a handbag in your trunk in case of an emergency. In fact there are several pre-made kits with things like jumper cables, a torch, hello-vis gear, and and then on. Winter is a different beast, however, and then make sure to add some flavour-advisable things.

What you need depends on how bad the snow gets, simply it's worth keeping a foldable snow shovel, warm gloves, ice scraper, brush, a can of de-icer, a coating, hand warmers, salt or sand (true cat litter will besides work) for melting built-up snowfall, a USB backup battery, bottled h2o and some candy bars. Hopefully you won't need whatsoever of information technology, but information technology always pays to be prepared.

Now you know how to drive in the snow, exist certain to check out another useful car tips. Brand sure you know how to jump kickoff your machine, since batteries don't fair so well in the cold, and how to defrost your windshield.

Tom is the Tom's Guide'south Automotive Editor, which ways he can usually be found articulatio genus deep in stats the latest and best electric cars, or checking out some sort of driving gadget. It'due south long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the tabular array. He'due south usually plant trying to clasp some other behemothic Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining that Ikea won't let him buy the stuff he really needs online.