20 Winter Driving Tips: Staying Safe on Snowy and Icy Roads
Posted on December 27, 2024
Winter brings plenty of fun activities, but driving in snow and ice isn’t one of them. Slippery roads, limited visibility, and frigid temperatures create conditions that can lead to accidents if drivers aren’t fully prepared.
Without the right precautions, you’re more likely to face situations like skidding or getting stuck in a snowbank—scenarios that can be both stressful and dangerous. Each year in Canada, 30% of accidents are caused by icy conditions, underscoring the importance of winter driving skills.
To help you stay safe, we’ve gathered 20 safe winter driving tips. From preparing your vehicle before you leave to handling tricky road conditions, these tips can make a big difference in getting you to your destination safely.
How to Prepare Your Car for Winter Driving
Preparing your car for winter driving is essential for staying safe and avoiding unexpected issues in cold weather.
Here are a few must-do steps to prepare your car:
- Pack a winter survival kit: Keep essentials like a flashlight, blanket, ice scraper, and non-perishable snacks in case you’re stranded.
- Install winter tires: These provide better traction on icy or snowy roads, helping you avoid skids and maintain control.
- Replace windshield wiper blades: Clear visibility is crucial, so install new, winter-ready blades that can handle heavy snow and ice.
- Top up windshield washer fluid: Use winter-specific fluid to prevent freezing, and keep an extra gallon in your car.
- Check tire pressure and tread depth: Proper tire pressure and good tread are vital to avoid blowouts and improve grip on slippery roads.
- Keep the gas tank at least half-full: This helps prevent the fuel lines from freezing and ensures you won’t run out of gas in traffic or snow delays.
- Wash your car regularly: Salt used on roads can lead to rust, so frequent washing is essential to protect your vehicle’s exterior.
Taking these simple steps can make a big difference in your winter driving experience, keeping you and your vehicle safe no matter how icy the roads get.
20 Safety Tips for Winter Driving
The safest way to handle winter storms is to stay cozy indoors, but sometimes driving in snowy conditions is unavoidable. Before you head out, a few simple precautions can make a big difference in keeping you safe on icy roads.
Check out these easy driving in winter weather safety tips:
1. Check The Forecast and Road Conditions Before Heading Out
Before you head out on winter roads, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast and road conditions. Look up any weather alerts for your area or destination, like snowstorms or icy patches, so you know what to expect.
If roads look bad, consider delaying any non-essential trips until conditions improve. Planning ahead can help, too—map out your route and share your travel details with someone, including your expected arrival time. And just in case, have emergency contacts, including your insurance provider and a towing company, saved in your phone.
2. Plan Your Route in Advance
Before hitting the road, take time to study your route carefully to ensure you’re prepared for winter driving challenges.
Check the local weather and traffic reports so you’re aware of any snowstorms, icy patches, or delays that could affect your trip. This way, you can adjust your timing, allowing yourself plenty of time to drive cautiously without feeling rushed.
When selecting a route, prioritize main roads and highways, as these are usually plowed and treated with salt or grit sooner than side streets. Main roads are generally safer and less slippery, reducing the risk of accidents.
3. Get your Vehicle Winter Ready
Preparing your vehicle for winter weather is essential to ensure your safety on snowy and icy roads.
Before the season hits, have a mechanic check the following:
- Antifreeze Levels: Make sure your coolant system is filled to the proper levels to prevent freezing.
- Battery and Ignition System: Check that your battery is strong enough to withstand cold temperatures and that the ignition system is functioning properly.
- Brakes: Inspect your brakes for responsiveness and wear to maintain stopping power on slippery surfaces.
- Tire Pressure: Keep tire pressure at the recommended levels, as it can decrease in colder temperatures.
- Exhaust System: Ensure there are no leaks in the exhaust system, which could be dangerous in enclosed spaces.
- Fuel and Air Filters: Replace old filters to ensure your engine runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Heater and Defroster: Test your heater and defroster to keep your windows clear and cabin warm.
- Lights and Flashing Hazard Lights: Check that all lights, including turn signals and hazard lights, are working for better visibility.
- Oil: Use the appropriate winter oil to keep your engine running smoothly in colder temperatures.
- Thermostat: Make sure the thermostat is functioning correctly to regulate engine temperature.
- Windshield Wiper Equipment and Washer Fluid Level: Replace worn wiper blades and fill washer fluid to keep your windshield clear.
- Vehicle Recalls: Check for any outstanding recalls that could affect your vehicle's performance.
By taking these steps, you’ll help ensure your vehicle is winter-ready and minimize the risk of emergencies on the road.
4. Keep Your Vehicle in Top Shape
Regular maintenance keeps your car in good condition and prepares it to handle harsh weather conditions. Start by ensuring your gas tank is always at least half full. A full tank helps prevent the fuel lines from freezing and reduces the chances of being stranded in cold weather.
Next, check that all your lights—headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights—are functioning properly.
Visibility is essential during winter driving, especially in snowy or foggy conditions. If you drive an electric or hybrid vehicle, make sure to keep your battery charged and limit the use of power-draining features.
5. Remove Snow and Ice from Your Car
This includes not only your windows but also your roof, lights, and mirrors. Snow accumulation on your car can obstruct your view, making it difficult to see other vehicles, pedestrians, or traffic signals.
If snow is left on the roof, it can slide down onto your windshield while driving or blow off onto other cars, creating a hazard for those around you. It’s also illegal to drive with snow on your car in Ontario. The Highway Traffic Act requires that you clear snow and ice from your vehicle’s windshield, roof and hood before driving.
6. Drive Slow and Steady
Reducing your speed helps you maintain control and gives you more time to react to unexpected obstacles like other vehicles or pedestrians. Remember, the posted speed limits might not be safe in winter conditions, so adjust your speed accordingly, even if it means driving well below the limit. And don’t use cruise conrol on wet, snowy or icy pavement – it can reduce your reaction time and compromise vehicle control.
Drive cautiously on curves and slippery surfaces. Sudden braking, rapid acceleration, or abrupt gear changes can lead to skidding
7. Keep Extra Distance from Other Vehicles
Instead of the usual 3-4 seconds, aim for 5-6 seconds of following distance. Slippery roads can significantly increase your stopping time, making it essential to give yourself more space.
This extra distance allows for better reaction time in case you need to brake suddenly or navigate around obstacles. By keeping a safe distance, you reduce the risk of rear-end collisions and enhance your overall safety on icy roads.
8. Stay Alert and Focused
It’s not enough to just monitor your own vehicle; you must also be aware of the actions of other drivers around you.
Look out for cars that may be swerving or braking unexpectedly, as they might not be following safe driving practices. Keep an eye on your surroundings, including vehicles in your peripheral vision, to anticipate any sudden movements.
Minimizing distractions is equally important. Avoid engaging in activities that could take your attention away from the road, such as answering phone calls or getting lost in a podcast.
9. Give Yourself a Brake
When driving in winter conditions, giving yourself a brake—both literally and figuratively—is crucial for safety. This means maintaining a greater distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
Snow and ice can significantly increase your stopping distance, so allowing for extra space helps prevent rear-end collisions.
10. Avoid Sudden Movements
Avoid abrupt steering, braking, or accelerating, as these can cause your tires to lose their grip on the slippery surface. Instead, keep your actions smooth and steady. For example, if you need to slow down, ease into the brakes gradually rather than slamming on them.
Gentle adjustments are key to staying safe on winter roads. Plan your turns well in advance and keep a safe distance from other vehicles to allow extra time for braking.
11. Use Your Headlights
Using your full headlights in winter isn’t just about seeing better—it’s also about being seen by others. Snow, fog, and shorter daylight hours can all reduce visibility, making it harder for other drivers to notice you.
Turn on your headlights whenever visibility drops, even during the day, so that your vehicle stands out on snowy or foggy roads.
12. Stay Centered in Your Lane
Keeping centered in your lane is key to staying safe on snowy or icy roads. Avoid sudden lane changes, as these can lead to fishtailing or even spin-outs, especially when moving from a clear lane to one covered in snow.
If you need to change lanes, do so slowly and carefully, checking your surroundings and using turn signals to alert other drivers.
13. Keep an Eye out for Black Ice
Black ice is a thin, invisible layer of ice that forms on roads when temperatures drop quickly, especially after a thaw. It’s particularly dangerous because it’s nearly impossible to see, often blending in with the pavement.
Be cautious during early mornings, late afternoons, and evenings when temperatures are more likely to dip below freezing. Even if the roads seem clear, black ice can catch drivers off guard, so stay alert and reduce your speed, especially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas where it’s more likely to form.
14. Handle Skids with Ease
If your car begins to skid on icy roads, stay calm and follow these steps to regain control safely.
If Your Front Tires Slide:
- Take your foot off the gas.
- Shift into neutral.
- As you regain traction, gently steer in the direction you want to go.
- Shift back into drive and accelerate slowly.
If Your Rear Tires Slide:
- Lift your foot off the gas.
- Steer in the direction you want the car to go.
- If you start sliding the other way, ease the steering wheel to match the wheels' direction.
- Repeat gently until the car is stable.
These steps will help you navigate skids smoothly and maintain control on icy roads.
15. Know What to Do if You’re Stranded
If you find yourself stranded in winter conditions, follow these steps to stay safe:
- Signal for Help: Tie a bright-colored cloth to your antenna or door handle to indicate you need assistance. If the snow clears, raise the hood as an additional signal.
- Stay Warm Safely: Run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour to stay warm and charge your phone. Crack a window slightly to allow fresh air in, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
- Regain Control if Sliding:
- Take your foot off the gas.
- Steer gently in the direction you want to go.
- If the car slides in the opposite direction, turn the wheel slowly in the same direction as your tires.
- Repeat these steps until you regain control of the vehicle.
Staying calm and following these steps can help you manage the situation until help arrives.
16. Stock Your Vehicle with Emergency Supplies
Being prepared for emergencies is key when driving in winter weather.
Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle with these essentials:
- Jumper cables – for a dead battery.
- Flares or reflective triangles – to make your vehicle visible if you're stranded.
- Ice scraper and snow shovel – to clear snow and ice quickly.
- Cellphone charger – to stay connected and call for help if needed.
- Blankets – to keep warm in case you're stuck for a long period.
- Map – for navigation if GPS fails.
- Cat litter or sand – to improve tire traction on icy roads.
- Flashlight – for visibility in low-light situations.
- Water – to stay hydrated while waiting for assistance.
Being prepared with these items helps you stay safe and reduces the risk of accidents or prolonged waiting in hazardous winter conditions.
17. Never Use Cruise Control
In snowy or icy conditions, it’s best to avoid using cruise control. When the road is slippery, you need to be able to adjust your speed quickly if you start to lose traction. Cruise control doesn’t respond as quickly as you can, which increases the risk of skidding or losing control.
By controlling your speed manually, you stay more engaged with the road conditions and can react immediately to any sudden changes. This extra control can make all the difference in maintaining stability on winter roads.
18. Avoid Tire Tracks of Other Vehicles
Packed snow can be icier and more slippery than fresh, untrampled snow. As other cars drive over the snow, they compress it, making it less stable and increasing the risk of losing control. Whenever you can, steer your vehicle onto fresh powder, which typically provides better traction.
By avoiding these compressed tire tracks, you’ll enhance your grip on the road and reduce the likelihood of skidding.
19. Avoid Distractions from Mobile Devices
Activities like phone calls, texting, or programming your GPS can divert your attention away from the road, increasing the risk of accidents. Even hands-free calling is discouraged, as it can still occupy your thoughts and distract you from the critical task of navigating winter hazards.
To ensure your safety, take care of all phone-related tasks before you start driving. If you need directions, set your GPS before hitting the road or pull over to a safe location to adjust.
20. Only Drive if Necessary
Bad weather conditions, like heavy snow and icy roads, significantly increase the chances of accidents, with around 5% of car crashes occurring during these times.
If you can avoid driving, it’s best to stay home until conditions improve. Even if you consider yourself experienced at navigating snowy roads, remember that not everyone shares your skills.
Stay Safe on Snowy Roads: Get Your Car Winter-Ready with CarHub North York Chrysler
Winter driving brings unique challenges, but with the right preparation, you can tackle snowy and icy roads confidently. From equipping your car with winter tires to following essential winter safety tips, CarHub North York Chrysler is here to help you prepare for the season ahead.
Explore our CarHub North York Chrysler Blog for expert insights on winter vehicle maintenance and safety tips. And if you're ready to winterize your car, visit us for tire installations, inspections, and other seasonal services that keep you safe on the road. Stay prepared and drive with peace of mind this winter with CarHub North York Chrysler!