Winter Driving: 10 Hacks to Master Travel Over Snow & Ice

One of the worst aspects of winter is having to travel over snow and ice. While it can be treacherous, it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. When you are fully aware of your surroundings and what to expect from the weather, when you obtain cheap car insurance that best suits your needs, and when you pack enough emergency supplies to stay warm, you’re on the right track. Let’s keep you on the right track with a variety of other tips. Read on and get road ready.

1. Keep the Controls Separate. When you think about it, cars have three main functions. They accelerate, brake, and turn. During dicey weather it’s important to remember to keep these three functionalities separate from one another. No braking and turning at the same time, and same with acceleration. Allow yourself and your car to complete one act before you begin another, because when two are combined while driving over ice or snow, it can amount to big trouble.

1. Use Snow Tires. Winter tires are just all around a better option for your vehicle if you live in a snowy environment. They offer better grip on snow covered roads when braking and when accelerating. All-season tires simply cannot compare to the level of traction supplied by snow tires that provide more “grip” through the tread design.
   
2. Pack an Emergency Kit. Nobody wants to get stuck in the snow but the reality is it happens on occasion. And if it does, you’ll want to be prepared with a pre-packed winter emergency kit. This kit should include an extra blanket, hat, gloves, water, jumper cables, flashlight, ice scraper, first aid kit, tools, and a bag of cat litter for traction.
   
3. Be Aware of the Conditions. Knowing when and where ice will form on roadways is a huge plus in avoiding it – or at least being prepared. Roads that start dry might turn icy over a bridge. Roadways that are shaded by a mountain or trees will ice over quicker than other parts of the road. When temperatures hover around 32 degrees, keep in mind that ice might be thawing and refreezing.
   
4. Keep Your Fuel Tank Filled. Winter conditions can make it harder to get to a gas station in time. There are more bad accidents, halting traffic and using your fuel up while you’re stuck. A gas tank with at least half a tank of gas is less likely to form condensation and freeze.
   
5. Control the Understeer. When your front tires lose traction and slide first, it’s called an understeer. It can be terribly frightening, but it is traversable. First, straighten the steering wheel and wait for just a moment for the tires to regain traction. Then, point the front tires in the direction you want to go.
   
6. Stay Up on Vehicle Maintenance. Your car is a machine, yes, but even machines need care. Take the time to replace wiper blades, use Rainex on the windshield, and clean all of the exterior lights. Make sure the car battery has the proper voltage (especially mid-winter) and keep your ears open for weird brake noises, and get them checked out if necessary.
   
7. Test the Level of Grip. During the winter when there’s often some type of precipitation on the road, the limits of adhesion between tire and road are tested. When it’s safe to do so (nobody is behind you) do a quick grip test to see how your car reacts. If the ABS kicks in, you know that you’ve encountered a low grip situation. You can act accordingly by safely easing up on the accelerator.
   
8. Watch for the Semis. We’ve all seen the footage of a semi jackknifing and suddenly losing control. Whether or not they are carrying a heavy load, semis take a long time to brake, especially on wintry roads. The truck driver is likely intentionally giving himself a lot of room, and as another driver it’s imperative to respect that space by not cutting or braking hard in front of them.
   
9. Stay Calm over Black Ice. For some parts of the country, black ice is natural occurrence. Losing control of your vehicle can cause panic and alarm. When encountering black ice, don’t hit the brakes, instead, do as little as possible. Keep the steering wheel straight and let the car glide over the ice. Black ice usually only lasts about 20 feet or so.