Quick Tips for Safe Driving on Ice & Snow

Why Winter Driving Is So Challenging

Extreme weather: Drivers face snow, slush, black ice, and freezing rain that can appear without warning.

Regional differences: In northern states, heavy snow and freezing temperatures create long-lasting winter conditions. In mountain regions, chain controls are often required on steep passes. Along the coasts, sleet and ice storms can quickly turn roads treacherous.

Step-by-Step Guide: Driving on Ice and Snow

Keep both hands on the wheel to maintain full control.
Slow down before turns, reducing speed in a straight line.
Maintain a steady speed in curves and avoid sudden acceleration.
Steer smoothly; sharp movements increase the risk of losing control.
Brake gradually in a straight line and avoid braking mid-turn.
Increase following distance to 8–10 seconds behind the car ahead.
Recover traction safely: if your wheels lock, release the brake, regain control, then reapply gently.
Avoid lane changes in slush unless the pavement is clear.
Check chain clearance if using tire chains, ensuring proper spacing around the tires.

Seasonal Timing and Tire Preparation

Winter tires are designed for cold, not just snow. Their specialized rubber remains flexible and grippy below 45°F, while all-season tires harden and lose traction on cold pavement.

Tip: Do not wait for the first snowfall. Cold temperatures alone can affect tire performance.

Learn more in our guide on Winter Tire Timing & PSI Tips.

Preparing Your Vehicle

Before the first major freeze, make sure your car is winter-ready. A few simple checks can help prevent breakdowns and improve safety.

Tires and brakes: Use tires with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol and maintain correct pressure.
Fluids and visibility: Refill with winter-rated washer fluid, replace wiper blades, and clear all exterior lights.
Battery and heating: Cold temperatures reduce battery power. Test your battery and check your heater and defroster.
Emergency kit: Keep essentials like a blanket, shovel, flashlight, and traction aids in your vehicle.

For more details, visit our Vehicle Winter Prep Checklist.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions.

‎

Having the right tires fitted before snow arrives. Winter tires make the most significant difference to traction, braking, and control in cold and snowy conditions — more than any driving technique. Install them when average daily temperatures consistently approach 45°F, not when the first snow falls. Beyond tires, clear all snow and ice from the entire vehicle before driving — roof, hood, mirrors, and lights — not just the windshield.

Apply the brakes earlier and more gently than you would on dry road. On slippery surfaces, the friction available for braking is much less, so stopping distances are longer. In a vehicle with ABS, firm pressure on the brake pedal allows the system to manage wheel lock. Without ABS, threshold braking — applying pressure just before the wheels lock — is more effective than pumping. The key in either case is to brake in a straight line before a corner, not during or after turning into it.

Look and steer where you want the vehicle to go, not where it's currently heading. In a front-wheel skid (understeer), ease off the accelerator and give the front wheels a moment to regain grip before steering. In a rear-wheel skid (oversteer), steer gently in the direction the rear is sliding to correct the yaw. Avoid sudden inputs in either case — overcorrection is a common cause of a slide becoming a spin. Smooth, deliberate movements recover control more reliably than panic reactions.

No. AWD and 4WD help the vehicle accelerate on snow by putting power to more wheels, but they have no effect on braking or cornering, which are purely tire functions. An AWD vehicle on standard all-season tires brakes on ice using the same contact patch as any other vehicle. Many AWD drivers overestimate their vehicles' capability in snow precisely because it feels more confident accelerating, and then find braking and cornering performance no different from a two-wheel-drive car. Winter tires on all four wheels make a far greater difference to total vehicle control.

Significantly more than dry conditions — the exact amount depends on speed, surface, and vehicle, but the principle is to allow enough space that you can stop completely if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly. On packed snow or ice, even a well-maintained vehicle with good winter tires needs far more distance to stop than it would on dry pavement. When in doubt, more space is always safer. If the traffic situation doesn't allow adequate following distance, reduce speed until it does.

At minimum: a snow brush and ice scraper, a small shovel, traction aids (sand, cat litter, or traction mats), a blanket, a flashlight, a phone charger, and water. In remote or mountain areas, add extra warm clothing and food. These items address the most common scenarios — getting stuck, waiting out a storm, or a breakdown in cold conditions. A first aid kit is worth keeping in the vehicle year-round regardless of season.