Even the most seasoned driver winces at having to drive in winter conditions. And no wonder, when bad winter weather is a huge factor in accidents, according to AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety.
One of the most challenging aspects of winter driving is contending with snowfall.
Driving in snow requires high levels of concentration with big risks to you and your vehicle. Understandably, this leads many to experience winter driving anxiety.
At Discount Tire, we hold safety to be the highest priority. So, we've outlined tips for how you should drive in the snow, as well as important vehicle safety information. Hint: driving on winter tires is one of the best moves for winter driving safety!
Before we start, do you need a set of winter tires?
ALL WINTER TIRESYou can also check out our picks for the best snow tires and best truck snow tires to get you started!
HOW TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW
The first rule of how to drive in the snow is: don't, if you can avoid it.
More than at any other time, it's important to drive safely and with heightened caution when snow is involved, regardless if it's actively snowing during your drive or not.
The chances of something going wrong increase significantly when snow is on the ground. Snow makes driving surfaces wet, slippery and in cases of heavy snowfall dumps: difficult to overcome. It's pretty easy to get stuck in a snowbank or pile on the side of the road. But if you can't avoid driving, here are some tips to make driving in snow as easy as possible.
While driving in snow (and on ice), smooth, consistent and slow acceleration and gentle braking is the way to go. You want to give your tires as much opportunity as possible to grip and grab the snow and keep traction.
This one seems like a no-brainer but a lot of drivers aren't aware of how complacent they become in good weather. Sudden starts or stops or jerky movements of the steering wheel have a greater consequence in winter.
Similar to driving in the rain, you don't want to be speeding down the road. The speed limit is the maximum allowed in perfect conditions, after all.
If you live in areas with wildlife, driving slowly will also allow you to respond to their sudden presence on the road. Deer tend to be unpredictable in winter months.
Leading on from the previous step, you'll need to plan your route out further and more carefully. Always be aware of your traction!
Even if your reaction time is the same, your vehicle will be delayed due to slippery conditions. Allow for triple the distance to stop in snow (it's double in rain) and even further for ice.
You should also be on the lookout for problematic areas, such as heavy snowfall on corners or icy patches in the middle of intersections. Avoid roads not maintained by snowplows if possible.
No matter how careful you are, sometimes mother nature has other plans for you. But don't panic; you can manage skids and gain back control.
If you feel your vehicle start to skid, do not slam on your brakes!
For front-wheel loss of traction, ease off the gas. Your front tires should regain grip within a few seconds. When you start to feel traction return, steer where you want to go.
For rear-wheel loss of traction (a spin out or fishtailing, some call it): turn the steering wheel in the same direction the rear of your vehicle is sliding. Ease off the gas but don't touch your brakes if you have anti-lock brakes (ABS). If you don't have ABS, gently pump your brakes at a moderate rate. When you feel the traction return, steer in the direction you want to go.
Note that most modern vehicles have ABS.
If you do have ABS and you need to stop ASAP due to an obstacle or are in a skid you can't recover from, push down your brakes hard and don't release. Your computer will adjust the brake power as you steer around the obstacle. Don't just brake, continue steering! Most ABS systems cause the brake pedal to thud when they are active; don't worry, this just lets you know they're working.
These steps cannot guarantee you won't get into an accident, but they can help you mitigate potential risk. Keep in mind, if you're driving slowly and planning ahead, you're less likely to have to deal with skidding or losses of grip.
Snow and ice are not consistent, so you will likely experience varying degrees of traction and slipperiness while you drive. You should constantly monitor your grip and adapt your driving style accordingly.
You can test how slippery a road is with your ABS. Do this when there are no cars or nearby obstacles: apply your brakes gently for one to two seconds while driving in a straight line. If your ABS activates, the roads are very slick. If ABS doesn't activate and you can slow down at a reasonable rate, you're on more stable footing.
Newer vehicles also have tons of features that help you monitor and control traction. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for more information.
It's best to always assume you have as little traction as possible, especially as black ice is incredibly difficult to see.
As we just mentioned, newer vehicles have bells and whistles to make driving in inclement weather much easier. This can cause drivers to become dangerously complacent. Even switching to winter tires, which are superior to all-season tires for winter traction, isn't going to prevent all accidents.
Your vehicle's safety features are not a guarantee against accidents or skidding.
It can be emotionally difficult and taxing to constantly be on high alert while driving in snow, and it's tempting to slip into dangerous driving habits just because the weather clears up.
WHAT GEAR TO DRIVE IN SNOW (AUTOMATIC)?
When it comes to driving in the snow, slow is best. That's why we recommend keeping your vehicle in low gear (at low speeds).
This is especially true for going up and down a hill. Low gears on hills helps you maintain a steady speed and prevents jerky gear changes, giving you more control. If your vehicle has D, 1 and 2 available gears, use 2 on snow and ice.
You can also use second gear when taking off from a stop in snow and ice to reduce wheel speed, giving you better traction and a smoother start. You can downshift to slow down instead of tapping on the brakes, like you would on a dry hill.
Modern automatic vehicles are pretty good at working with onboard computerized traction systems that automatically adjust for you. But they still frequently offer you the ability to move into a manual mode to give you more control, if you want.
Newer vehicles also include convenient snow traction modes and buttons to automatically put your vehicle in the proper gear. However, these snow functions are not a replacement for safe driving skills. Reckless driving can make even a properly equipped vehicle (winter tires, AWD, etc.) unreliable on snow-blanketed roads.
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN SNOW
Part of what makes driving in snow so challenging is the constantly changing road conditions. Bundle this up with high risk of accidents or getting stuck, and it's no wonder people can be so leary of driving in snowy weather. With that in mind, here are some additional tips for driving in snow to prepare you to handle anything.
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Prep your vehicle
This tip is actually a big one. Making sure your vehicle is fit to handle the road and any emergency situations that may arise is key to safety. You should:
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Remove snow and ice before moving your vehicle
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Maintain your vehicle's winter vulnerable components like batteries, fluids, wipers, headlights and tires
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Make sure your air pressure and tire tread are in good working order. Good tread depth is imperative for stopping safely.
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We highly recommend using winter tires for regions that see a true winter with low temps and snowfall!
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Carry an emergency kit with tools, hand warmers, shovel, tow strap, blankets and sand/cat litter for added traction if you get stuck; check out our safe winter driving infographic for more tips!
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Plan ahead
Check for weather and road conditions ahead of time so you know what to expect. You'll also be better able to plan a safer route to your destination—or cancel entirely if the weather is bad enough. -
Look where you want to go, not into the skid
If you do find yourself losing traction, it's tempting to look in the direction of the skid and focus on obstacles. Don't do this; instead focus on where you want to go. Your body will naturally direct the vehicle toward your area of focus.We should note that if you "fishtail" or oversteer you should turn (don't jerk) your wheel into the skid so the tires roll with inertia instead of fighting against it.
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Don't use cruise control
Specifically, don't use cruise control in slippery (read: wet, snowy or icy) conditions. Cruise control sets speed according to your input and does not take into account available traction on the road. This means that if your tires lose traction, instead of easing off the gas, cruise control will continue to push power to your tires, which can exacerbate the loss of traction, which is very unsafe. Even adaptive (or dynamic) cruise control only takes into account other vehicles and not the state of the road. Your vehicle will continue to drive straight at your chosen speed regardless of the driving surface. -
Increase your buffer zone between vehicles
You need more time to stop when snow and ice are on the ground, so increase the distance between you and other vehicles. The typical buffer zone is 3 seconds but for winter weather, you should at least double that to 6-10 seconds between cars. -
Respect snow plows and emergency vehicles
Snow plows are key to making roads safe and clear but also pose potential risks to drivers already on the road. They are large and often have obstructed vision due to flying snow and the plow itself.Snow plows cast away snow which can obstruct your field of vision as well. They can move in unpredictable patterns as the driver works to clear specific areas first.
You can find more winter driving tips here!
Ready to roll?
We know installing winter tires can be a hassle. That's why we offer winter/snow tire changeover and installation services!
If you're wondering whether tire chains or studded tires may be a good option for you and your region, check out our blog about studded tires vs tire chains!
If you're still not sure, give us a ring or drop in and we'll help you get the best option possible for you and your vehicle.
Walk-ins are always welcome but we encourage you to buy and make your appointment online first. Save time and buy and book online!