15% OFF OR MORE WITH OFFER!

SALE ENDS IN
14HRS
26MIN
11SEC

Driving In Snow

Did you know that over 70% of America’s roads are in snowy regions with more than five inches of snowfall annually?

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 15% of vehicle crashes occur during snowfall or sleet. Nearly 900 people are killed, and 76,000 people are injured in car crashes where snow or sleet was present.

To avoid becoming a statistic, staying home during inclement weather is the best thing to do. Of course, that’s not always going to be possible. So, it's important to understand how winter road conditions can affect a vehicle’s performance and learn how to drive in snow safely.

Winter Driving Tips: What to Do When It Snows

1. Drive Slowly and Stay Focused

The biggest threat to drivers on icy and snowy roads is the loss of traction. Anti-lock brakes and traction control systems can help prevent skidding, but the driver still needs to exercise caution. Reduce speed, apply brakes slowly, and slow down before cornering.

Stay focused on the roads and avoid distractions. During winter, road conditions can change suddenly. Practicing defensive driving, where you anticipate potential hazards, can help you react to them faster.

2. Keep Up Vehicle Maintenance

A vehicle breakdown is never fun, but you really don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road in snow. That’s why it’s important to do pre-winter preventative maintenance and continue to check tire tread and air pressure, wipers, and fluids like coolant throughout winter.

If you live in an area with sub-zero temperatures, winterize your vehicle. This includes fitting snow tires or adding snow chains on the tires, switching to winter-grade oil, and fitting winter wipers. Add sandbags to the trunk if your car is a rear-wheel drive. The added weight will increase traction when accelerating and cornering.

Before installing snow chains or studded tires, check the legal requirements in your state. Some states require snow chains; some require specific types of snow tires, and others ban studded tires. You also want to ensure you fit snow chains correctly. They should be snug against the tire.

3. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Trunk

An emergency kit can be a lifesaver if you break down in winter. Here’s what to keep in it:

  • A power bank or solar or hand-crank charger to charge cell phones

  • Portable jump starters

  • LED flares and reflective triangles

  • Blankets and warm clothing

  • A shovel and ice scraper

  • A first-aid kit

  • Drinking water and snacks

  • Any chronic medications you or your family members might need

EV drivers may want to keep insulated waterproof charging cable covers in their emergency kit that can prevent water from entering the electrical circuit.

Should your car break down in freezing weather, remain in the vehicle if it is safe to do so and call for help. If you haven’t already, you might want to consider joining a roadside assistance program. To make other drivers aware of you, place the reflective triangle a short distance behind your vehicle.

Modern Vehicle Technologies for Safe Winter Driving

Fortunately, modern vehicles have several safety features that can help prevent accidents when driving in snow. These include:

  • Anti-lock braking system (ABS). Should your vehicle start to slide, press the brakes firmly once (don’t pump the brakes). The ABS will apply short pulses to the brakes to ensure the tires maintain grip on the road. This prevents the wheels from locking, which can send the car into a skid.

  • Electronic stability control (ESC). ESC detects when the vehicle starts sliding and automatically applies brakes to individual wheels to maintain stability. This helps prevent losing control and skidding when cornering or swerving on slippery roads.

  • Traction control system (TCS). Traction control systems prevent wheels from spinning when accelerating on snow or ice. This is useful when moving off from a stop or driving on inclines. However, should you find yourself stuck in the snow, turn off traction control to allow the wheels to spin, which can help “dig” the tires out of the snow.

  • Advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning systems.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Winter Driving Tips

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used in EVs perform optimally within a temperature range of 60°F to 95°F. When temperatures fall below 20° F, chemical reactions in the battery cells slow down, reducing the battery’s efficiency and the vehicle’s performance.

Cold weather also prolongs battery charging times and decreases driving range. A study by AAA found that when driving in 20° F weather with the heating system on, the average driving range decreases by 41%. To maximize EV battery efficiency, pre-condition the cabin while the battery is charging before you start driving. As a precaution, carry a portable EV charger.

Another thing to consider is regenerative braking. Regenerative braking converts kinetic energy back into battery power when slowing down or braking. While helpful for battery efficiency, it can cause unexpected traction loss on icy roads. To avoid this, disable regenerative braking when driving on icy roads.

Defensive Driving Skills For Safer Driving in Snow

Driving in winter, especially during snowfall, presents many dangers. A defensive driving course will teach you techniques to drive safely in snow and icy conditions. You’ll learn how to handle your vehicle in snow, what to do should your car go into a skid and how to anticipate what other drivers may do.