How to drive in the snow

Whether you do it every day or only once in a while, it's important to know how to drive in snow and cold weather. While cold-weather driving presents several challenges, driving in snow may be the most significant one. When drivers have to contend with snow and ice, the roads can become more dangerous. Preparing your car and learning how to safely drive in snow and ice can keep you safe.

Tips for driving in the snow

• Get off to a good start

Safe snow driving starts in the driveway. Before you hit the road, clear the windshield of ice, and brush any snow off the hood of the vehicle. Failing to adequately clear snow from the car can cause problems once you start driving, including blowing snow onto the windshield and interfering with the defroster.

• Build in extra time

When driving in the snow, allow extra travel time. There's no substitute for slowing down and taking extra caution when dealing with snow and ice. Keep in mind that traffic will likely be moving more slowly anyway when conditions are bad, so it makes sense to leave early if you can (or be content with arriving later). Once you're on the road, practice defensive driving habits and avoid aggressive driving.

Just how slow should you drive in the snow? It depends on the kind of road you're on, the traffic around you, and the posted speed limit – in poor conditions, your stopping distance will increase, so slower driving can compensate for some of that.

• Avoid sudden braking or acceleration

You have less traction in the snow than you would on a warm, dry road surface, and sudden movements are more likely to cause the car to lose its grip.

• Allow more following distance

Try to drive more cautiously around other drivers and take actions sooner. For instance, if you see brake lights ahead, start slowing down earlier and more gently than you normally would.

• Stay calm if you lose control of the car

Take your foot off the accelerator without aggressive braking and steer in the direction of the skid until you feel the vehicle regain traction. If you don't have the time or space to do so and your car has anti-lock brakes (as most modern cars do), press hard on the brakes. The pedal will shake — an indication that the ABS system is working — but don't ease up. A computer in the car's braking system will adjust the brake force to help maximize traction and get things back under control. You can still steer while this is happening, so do your best to avoid hitting anything until the vehicle either stops or regains its grip on the road.

A skid or other loss of control can be scary when driving in snow and ice, but panicking doesn't help. If you're new to winter driving, consider practicing in an empty parking lot when the snow and ice hit. Getting acquainted with the behavior of your car on snowy or icy roads can help you stay calm and avoid winter weather accidents.

How do I prepare my car for driving in the snow?

Preparing your car for winter weather is one of the most important ways to stay safe during the winter driving season. Before temperatures get too cold is the best time to get your car winterized. Winterizing your vehicle includes a general checkup of the car's fluids, battery, hoses, lights, brakes, and exhaust systems. Winter weather — especially extreme winter weather — can apply extra stress to many automotive systems while simultaneously increasing the possibility of a malfunction. Get a trusted mechanic to give your car a winter checkup and then make repairs and change fluids before the winter season starts.

Consider getting winter tires to prepare for weather conditions, especially if you live in an area that expects a lot of snow. Winter tires are made of a different, softer type of rubber and have different tread patterns. The tread and rubber formulations give winter tires more flexibility and an increased grip in cold weather (usually below 45 degrees). You can generally identify winter tires by the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol stamped on the side.

You'll see improved performance and more secure driving with winter tires, but they can be too soft once temperatures heat up again. For this reason, you'll need to swap them out at the end of the season.

How can I get better at driving in the snow?

Choose a car with features such as high ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and advanced safety technology — these are some of the best cars for snow and ice driving.

Don't assume, though, that a good vehicle for the snow will do the work for you – you still need to drive more slowly and more cautiously. However, having a solid vehicle to drive can help give you some of the confidence you need to tackle difficult situations.

Emergency kit for winter driving

In addition to preparing your car for winter weather and learning how to drive in the snow, you should also prepare for emergencies. It's easier to get in an accident or become stranded during the winter, so you should always have an emergency kit in your car. If you're involved in an accident as a result of the weather, your auto policy may cover what you're financially responsible for.

Common items to include in a winter emergency kit include:

• Blankets
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• Sand, salt, or non-clumping cat litter as a traction aid
• A brightly colored bandana, scarf, or flag (preferably red)
• Jumper cables
• A towing chain
• A small snow shovel
• An ice scraper

Some of these items (kitty litter, jumper cables, shovel, etc.) can help you get your car moving if it's stuck in the snow or unable to start, while others (bandana, blankets, flashlight) keep you safe and visible for rescuers if you've had a crash or are unable to get your car moving.

Along with a heavy snowfall comes the snowplows that keep the roads clear for motorists. Learn about snowplow safety in winter driving conditions.