Winter Driving: How to Stay Safe Driving in the Snow

Prepare Your Vehicle Before You Go

Safety starts in the driveway. Winter weather stresses every system in your car, so preventative auto maintenance is critical. Before heading out into a storm, ensure your vehicle is up to the task.

Critical Winter Checks:

• Tires: Traction is everything. Ensure your tires have ample tread depth. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, consider switching to dedicated winter tires (look for the snowflake symbol on the sidewall).
• Visibility: Clear all snow and ice from your car—including the roof, hood, and headlights—before driving. Switch to a winter-formula windshield washer fluid that won’t freeze.
• Battery: Cold weather drains battery power significantly. If your battery is more than three years old, have it tested to ensure it can start your car on the coldest mornings.
• Emergency Kit: Always keep a winter safety kit in your trunk containing a blanket, flashlight, shovel, and sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck.

Adjust Your Driving for the Conditions

The golden rule of winter driving is “Slow Down.” Speed limits are set for ideal dry conditions, not for icy, snow-packed roads.

On the Road:

• Increase Following Distance: It takes much longer to stop on slippery roads. Increase your following distance to at least 8-10 seconds behind the car in front of you.
• Avoid Cruise Control: Never use cruise control on wet, icy, or snowy roads. You need full control of the throttle to react instantly to traction loss.
• Brake & Accelerate Gently: Pretend there is an egg under your pedals. Sudden movements cause skids. Accelerate slowly to avoid spinning your wheels, and brake early and gently.
• Watch for Black Ice: Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots where ice forms first. If the road looks wet but there is no spray coming from other tires, it may be black ice.

Frequently Asked Questions