Driving in the Snow: Essential Tips and Gear You Need

How to Drive in the Snow

Snow driving kills grip, multiplies braking distances, and renders steering useless if you lose traction. Most winter accidents happen because drivers react to a slide by slamming on the brakes or ripping the steering wheel.

Smooth and Steady

Treat your pedals like glass. Hard acceleration spins the wheels. Stamping the brakes locks them up. When pulling away in a manual, start in second gear to reduce torque and prevent wheel spin.

Look further down the road. You need extra time to react to traffic lights and corners. Decelerate by lifting off the gas and using engine braking instead of the footbrake. Braking distances on ice are ten times longer—leave massive gaps.

Handling Skids and Hills

If you hit black ice and start skidding, keep your foot off the brake. Pressing it removes all steering control. Steer into the skid. If the rear slides left, steer left. As traction returns, straighten the wheel.

When driving uphill, wait for a clear path so you don't have to stop halfway. Keep a steady speed and avoid changing gears to maintain momentum. Going downhill, slow to a crawl before the descent, use a low gear, and let the engine dictate your speed to avoid touching the brakes.

Essential Snow Gear

If you get stuck, the right gear stops a breakdown turning into an emergency.

• Traction Aids: Keep traction mats or a bag of cat litter/rock salt in the boot. Throw them under the driving wheels for instant grip on compacted snow.
• Clearing Tools: Don't drive peering through a tiny gap in the frost. Clear all windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof. Roof snow slides forward under braking and blinds you.
• Warmth: If stranded, your engine might be dead. Keep thick blankets, waterproof gloves, and a high-vis jacket inside the cabin—not the boot.