Winter Driving Tips: How to Drive on Ice and Snow

There’s a big difference between driving and road conditions in the winter and driving any other time of the year. Beyond the snow and ice, freezing temperatures can have a big impact on various parts of your vehicle. We want to share some helpful tips for winter driving that will not only help you stay safe but also keep your car in good operating condition for those winter months. 

Whether you haven’t driven in winter before or are trying to avoid accidents in the snow, we have some driving tips lined up for you.

Brake Soft in Winter vs. Summer

In the summer, we give little thought to braking, especially on dry pavement. However, in the winter braking demands more attention. Brake too hard on a slippery surface and your wheels may lock up. Hitting the brakes during a sharp turn may cause your car to slide, which feels like you've lost control. 

Our general advice for driving in the snow is to avoid slamming on the brakes and ease into braking, which we cover in the next section about increasing stopping distance. Trying to suddenly stop or change your vehicle’s momentum too quickly on ice or snow usually leads to sudden slides, spin-outs, and accidents.

When your brakes “lock up,” it means that your car is still moving even though your wheels aren’t turning. Most modern vehicles have an ABS (anti-lock braking) system that pumps the brakes if it senses your brakes locking up. You'll feel a jitter sensation, which can feel scary but means that your vehicle is trying to regain control. 

Bottom line: Always have your brakes inspected as you head into snowy seasons. Make sure they're responsive, in good shape, and not worn down, especially if you notice squeaking or grinding.

Learn more about brake pads, rotors, and how to make your brakes last longer.

Increase Stopping Distance

The most important rule for “how to drive in ice”? Give yourself more stopping distance. In other words, increasing the amount of time that your car has to decrease and slow to a stop. 

Aim for a stopping distance that's 4 to 5 times the length of your car, roughly 10 seconds behind the car in front of you. This is about double the stopping distance on a normal, dry road. 

Yes, you’ll need to drive slower, but driving in ice and snow always means driving slower, so a greater stopping distance is a given. If your car slides when you brake, or the car in front of you suddenly stops, a greater stopping distance gives you more time and space to avoid a crash.

Bottom line: Slow down and increase the distance between you and vehicles in front of you, as well as stop signs and traffic lights. 

Check Tire Pressure

Freezing temperatures have a direct effect on the pressure of your car tires. Even if you’ve checked your tire pressure during the summer, for every 10-degree decrease in outside temperature, your tires will lose 1 to 2 PSI. If your tire pressure monitoring system comes on, don’t ignore it! It means your air pressure has dropped below safe levels.

Bottom line: Don't ignore tire pressure warnings, which are common when temperatures drop.

Learn more about winter tire pressure here. 

Clear All Snow and Ice

Park your car outside during the winter? It’s a pain to clear all that snow and ice off your car, but it’s worth it for you and for the drivers behind you. Snow and ice on your windshield or rear window can block your vision and create even more blindspots. Snow and ice stuck to your vehicle can fly off and damage other vehicles (this can be dangerous!).  

Another great way to make clearing off snow and ice easier is to start your car to warm it. Once your car has warmed up, it’ll be easier to clear off the loosened snow and ice. A remote start system makes it easier -- if you're lucky enough to have one! 

Bottom line: Clear your vehicle of snow and ice, to increase your visibility and to protect other drivers from flying debris.

Use All-Season or Winter Tires

Winter or all-season tires make a big difference when it comes to driving in snow. If you’re used to mild weather, you probably haven’t thought much about tread depth, rubber compounds, or cold-weather grip, but they matter. Your tires are the only thing between your car and the road, and the right set helps you stay in control on icy or snow-covered streets.

Whether you need all-season or winter tires will depend on the areas that you drive, which we explore in a separate post.

Summer tires aren’t equipped to deal with winter weather.

Winter tires remain flexible in freezing temperatures, so you don’t lose your grip on the road. They also have deeper tread depths and wider grooves that maintain traction even when the grooves are compacted with snow. Many winter tires have biting edges that dig into ice to help prevent skidding. 

If you’re curious whether or not your current tires will perform in the snow, check out their traction rating. You can also read more about winter tires here.

Bottom line: Get the right tires for the right climate. Snow tires work well in cold, northern climates; while all-season, all-weather tires work well in four-season climates.

Don’t Overcorrect if Skidding

Driving on icy roads risks skidding or sliding. As much as you’d like to prevent it, it can happen. Our #1 tip? Don’t panic. One of the most common reasons that skidding results in an accident is the driver overcorrecting their vehicle while skidding or sliding. Suddenly braking, jerking the steering wheel, or hitting the gas make things worse, and fast.

If you feel the front of your car slide, stop accelerating. Don’t immediately turn the wheel, but rather wait until you feel your car gain traction again and aim where you want to go. Front wheel skids are recoverable and most common when turning. 

If you experience a rear wheel skid, also called spinning out, ease off the gas and don't hit the brakes. Instead of waiting for your traction to return, steer into the slide, which will effectively “correct” the spinout. As you slow down and regain traction, you can start to steer back in the direction that you want to go.

Bottom line: Don't panic if you start to slide. Take your foot off the gas. Don't slam on the brakes. Stay calm and steer into the skid until you regain control. 

Drive an AWD or 4WD Vehicle

If you drive in snow and you're shopping for a new ride, look for something with AWD or 4WD — it sends power to all four wheels. “AWD automatically adjusts power between front and rear wheels, while 4WD is typically stronger and better for deep snow or off-road driving.” Learn more about AWD and 4WD cars in snow and ice here. 

An AWD or 4WD vehicle won’t prevent every skid, but they handle slippery roads better than a front- and rear-wheel drive. If one or more wheels lose traction, the AWD or 4WD technology will usually shift power to the ones that still have grip. This also helps prevent your vehicle from getting stuck in a snowbank. 

Bottom line: All-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive vehicles are safer for drivers who live in snowy and icy climates.  

Winter Driving Checklist

One of the worst things to think about in winter is getting stuck or stranded in freezing temperatures. Here's a checklist of things to pack in your vehicle, in case you break down.

• Flashlight: Make sure you have fresh batteries or, if it's full charged if it's the rechargeable type.
• First-aid kit: This is a smart thing to have in every vehicle, regardless of time of year.
• Snow shovel: A lightweight shovel can help if you get stuck in snow.
• Booster cables: A dead battery is common in cold weather. Jumper cables (or a portable jump starter) can get you back on the road.
• Flares/triangles: Use these to make your car visible if you’re stuck on the roadside, especially in low visibility.
• Extra food and water: Granola or snack bars, jerky, or bottled water—anything that won’t freeze easily or spoil in the cold.
• Warm clothing/blanket: Keep gloves, hats, and a warm blanket in your trunk in case you're stuck with no heat.
• Sand or kitty litter: These add traction under tires if you’re spinning on ice. A small bag goes a long way.
• Ice scraper and brush: Crucial for clearing your windshield, even if you're just parked outside overnight.
• Phone charger or power bank: A fully charged portable charger can be a lifesaver if your car battery dies.
• Tire repair kit or inflator: A flat tire in snow is a nightmare. A plug kit or small compressor can help you limp to safety.

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