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HOW TO DRIVE IN THE SNOW

The Correct Way to Pull Away in Snowy Conditions

When driving in snowy or icy conditions, you may have heard the advice to start in second gear to reduce wheel spin. However, this approach can be detrimental to both your vehicle and your control over traction.

At Winter Driver, we recommend always starting in first gear. Engage the clutch smoothly and apply minimal throttle to get the car moving with as little wheel spin as possible. Once the vehicle is in motion, shift up through the gears gradually while maintaining low revs. Excessive revving increases power and torque delivery to the wheels, which significantly raises the risk of losing traction.

By keeping your inputs smooth and controlled, you’ll improve grip and stability, reducing the chances of skidding and maintaining better control of your vehicle in winter conditions.

Maintain Control: The Importance of Driving Slowly on Snow-Covered Roads

When driving on a snow-covered road, your vehicle’s tyres may have as little as 15% of their usual traction. This drastic reduction in grip means that every input—steering, braking, and accelerating—must be made with extra caution.

Driving at a slower speed allows you more time to react if traction is lost, whether you need to stop, steer, or regain control. One of the most common reasons vehicles become stuck in the snow is stopping and then struggling to pull away. By maintaining a steady, controlled pace, you can keep your momentum and reduce the likelihood of getting stuck, ensuring a safer and smoother journey in winter conditions.

Braking Distances in Snow and Ice: Why Extra Caution is Crucial

Stopping distances increase dramatically in winter conditions, and many drivers underestimate just how much longer it takes to come to a halt on snow and ice.

On a dry road, a modern car traveling at 30 mph can typically stop within two car lengths. However, on snow, this distance can triple to six car lengths—and on ice, it could extend beyond 12 car lengths at the same speed.

It’s also important to consider that not all vehicles on the road have the same level of grip. The car in front of you may be equipped with winter tyres, allowing it to stop far sooner than you can on standard tyres. Maintaining a larger following distance and braking gently and early can help prevent dangerous skids and collisions in slippery conditions.

Smooth Driving: The Key to Maintaining Traction in Winter

When it comes to driving in snow and ice, smoothness is everything. The more controlled and gentle your inputs are, the better your tyres can maintain traction with the road.

A useful way to visualize this is to imagine a cup of water sitting on your dashboard. Your goal should be to drive in a way that prevents the water from spilling—accelerating, braking, and steering as smoothly as possible. Jerky movements can cause sudden shifts in weight distribution, leading to a loss of grip and increasing the risk of skidding.

By focusing on smooth, deliberate actions, you’ll improve stability, enhance control, and make winter driving much safer.

Using Fog Lights Correctly in Winter Conditions

Fog lights are an essential safety feature, but they should only be used when visibility drops below 100 meters due to heavy fog or thick spray from other vehicles. Once visibility improves, it’s important to switch them off.

Fog lights are designed to help other drivers see your vehicle as well as improve your view of the road ahead. However, using them unnecessarily—such as in light mist or clear conditions—can dazzle other road users and make it harder for them to see brake lights clearly.

To ensure safety for yourself and others, only activate your fog lights when truly needed, and turn them off as soon as conditions improve.

Tire Tracks and Black Ice: Why You Should Be Cautious

Following existing tire tracks in the snow might seem like the safest option, as the snow has been compressed or pushed aside. However, in freezing conditions, these tracks can become a serious hazard. Black ice can form on untreated roads where the compacted snow has melted and refrozen, making it extremely slippery and difficult to control your vehicle.

When driving downhill, consider moving slightly off the existing tracks where the snow may provide better grip. Additionally, gently apply the brake at intervals to check for traction—this can help you detect icy patches before you find yourself in a dangerous skid. Smooth, controlled movements are key to staying safe on winter roads.

Recommendations

Polarised Sunglasses

Yellow lensed glasses

Why Sunglasses Are Essential for Winter Driving

Many drivers associate sunglasses with summer, but they are just as important—if not more so—during the winter months. Here’s why:

Low sun – The winter sun sits much lower in the sky, often creating intense glare that makes it difficult to see.
Snow glare – Fresh snow reflects sunlight, making the road and surroundings exceptionally bright.
Vehicle headlights – Modern cars, especially those with xenon or LED headlights, can produce intense light in the evenings, which can be dazzling.

To stay prepared, we recommend having two sets of driving glasses:

Polarised sunglasses for daytime, which reduce glare far better than standard lenses.
Yellow-tinted evening glasses, designed to improve contrast and reduce the harshness of bright headlights.

Keeping both in your car ensures you’re never caught off guard, whether you’re driving in blinding daylight or facing dazzling headlights at night.

Keeping Momentum: The Key to Avoiding Getting Stuck in Snow

One of the best ways to avoid getting stuck in the snow is to keep your car moving at a steady, slow speed. Sudden stops and aggressive acceleration can cause wheelspin, making it much harder to regain traction.

Planning ahead is essential. When approaching junctions and roundabouts, slow down as much as possible in advance. This gives you more time to react to other drivers and pedestrians while also reducing the need to come to a complete stop.

If stopping is unavoidable, pull away gently, using as few revs as possible. Applying too much throttle can cause your wheels to spin, leaving you stranded. Smooth, controlled inputs will help maintain traction and keep you moving safely through snowy conditions.

Give way to traffic traveling uphill

Driving uphill in snowy conditions can be one of the biggest challenges, even on the slightest incline. Vehicles with summer tyres will struggle the most, as they lack the grip needed to maintain traction on slippery surfaces.

To improve safety for everyone:

Give way to vehicles traveling uphill—they need momentum to avoid getting stuck.
Wait for oncoming traffic to clear before descending, allowing both vehicles to use the full width of the road if necessary.

By being patient and planning ahead, you can avoid unnecessary stops, maintain control, and navigate hills more safely in winter conditions.

When travelling up the hill

Driving uphill in snowy conditions requires careful technique to maintain traction and avoid getting stuck. Follow these key steps:

Build momentum – If possible, accelerate before reaching the hill to give your car the best chance of climbing without excessive wheelspin.
Use a higher gear – Selecting a higher gear keeps engine revs lower, reducing the risk of spinning your wheels.
Maintain a steady speed – Try to stay in the same gear throughout the climb to keep revs consistent and prevent sudden losses of traction.
Increase tyre grip – If your car is struggling, consider slightly reducing tyre pressure to create a larger contact patch with the road, improving grip.
Use available resources – Check for a grit box at the roadside. Sprinkling a small amount of sand or grit under your wheels can provide extra traction.

With the right approach, you can improve your chances of making it up the hill safely, even in challenging winter conditions.

When traveling downhill.

Driving downhill in snowy or icy conditions can be just as challenging as going uphill. To maintain control and avoid skidding, follow these essential tips:

Check your path – Before descending, make sure the road ahead is clear of obstacles and other vehicles to avoid sudden braking.
Use a low gear – Let your engine braking help regulate your speed instead of relying too much on the brakes.
Brake gently – If braking is necessary, apply pressure smoothly and gradually to prevent your wheels from locking up.
Take corners slowly – Reduce speed before turning to avoid skidding into oncoming traffic or losing control.

By keeping your speed low and controlled, you’ll improve stability and reduce the risk of sliding on icy downhill roads.

What To Do If Your Car Is Sliding On Snow

The best way to prevent sliding in snowy conditions is to reduce your speed. The slower you drive, the more traction your tyres will have. Most winter driving accidents occur at speeds over 40 mph, so keeping your speed in check is crucial.

If you do start to slide, do not slam on the brakes. Your instinct may be to brake hard, but this will only make things worse by locking up your wheels, making it even harder to regain control.

Understanding Different Types of Slides

There are two main ways your car can lose traction:

Understeer – This happens when the front wheels lose grip, usually due to entering a corner too fast or braking too heavily. The car will continue straight instead of following the turn.
Oversteer – This occurs when the rear wheels lose traction, often caused by taking a corner too fast or making a sudden lane change.

How to Correct a Slide

If you experience understeer, ease off the throttle and allow the front tyres to regain grip. Avoid braking and gently steer in the direction you want to go.

If you experience oversteer, follow these steps:

Stay calm and resist the urge to brake.
Lift off the accelerator to shift weight back onto the rear wheels.
Turn into the skid – if the rear slides to the right, steer gently to the right.
Straighten out once control is regained by centering the steering wheel gradually.

This technique, known as counter-steering, helps you regain control and prevent the slide from worsening. Practicing these techniques in a safe environment, like an empty snow-covered parking lot, can help prepare you for real-world winter driving challenges.