Winter weather, characterized by snow, sleet, and ice, dramatically increases the risks associated with driving. In 2022 alone, snowy or sleety conditions contributed to 498 fatal traffic accidents and approximately 32,213 injury-causing crashes. Being well-prepared, both personally and in terms of your vehicle, is paramount to navigating roads safely when Car And Snow become a challenging mix.
Essential Driving Techniques for Car and Snow
Master the Basics of Winter Driving
Reduce Speed: The most fundamental adjustment for driving in car and snow conditions is to slow down significantly. Snow and ice dramatically reduce tire traction, making it considerably harder to control your vehicle, steer accurately, and brake effectively. Statistics underscore this point: in 2022, an estimated 153,620 police-reported traffic crashes occurred under snow or sleet conditions. Lowering your speed provides you with more time to react to unexpected situations and maintain control.
Increase Following Distance: On slick, snow-covered roads, braking distances are substantially longer. Increase your following distance from the vehicle ahead to at least double or triple what you would maintain under normal driving conditions. This extra space provides the necessary buffer to brake gradually and avoid collisions, especially when driving your car and snow is present.
Respect Snow Plows: Snow plows are vital for clearing roads, but they operate differently from regular vehicles. They travel at slower speeds, make wide turns, stop frequently, may operate across lane lines, and often enter or exit roadways. Never tailgate or attempt to pass a snow plow too closely. Maintain a safe distance behind them, and if you must pass, do so with extreme caution and ample visibility. Avoid driving alongside a snow plow as visibility can be severely restricted and they can unexpectedly shift lanes or spray debris.
Emergency Preparedness When Car Encounters Snow
Even with careful driving, emergencies can occur when car and snow are involved. If you become stopped or stalled in winter weather, prioritize safety by focusing on yourself and your passengers, your vehicle, and your immediate surroundings.
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Stay with Your Vehicle: Your car provides shelter and is more visible to rescuers than if you were to wander away. Do not overexert yourself trying to push or dig out your car in deep snow, as this can lead to exhaustion and increase the risk of hypothermia.
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Enhance Visibility: Make your car as visible as possible. Attach bright-colored cloth to your antenna or door handle. Turn on your interior dome light to make your vehicle easier to spot, especially during low-light conditions or a blizzard.
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Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless killer. Ensure your exhaust pipe is completely clear of snow to prevent fumes from entering the car. Only run your engine sporadically to stay warm, and ensure adequate ventilation by slightly opening a window on the downwind side for fresh air. Never run your car for extended periods with the windows closed, especially in confined spaces or heavy snow conditions that could block the exhaust.
Car Maintenance and Adjustments for Snow and Winter
Winter weather, particularly snow and ice, necessitates specific adjustments and maintenance checks for your car to ensure optimal performance and safety.
Tire Management in Cold and Snow
Monitor Tire Pressure: As temperatures drop, so does tire pressure. Underinflated tires can compromise handling and fuel efficiency, and increase the risk of tire failure. Check your tire pressure regularly, ideally weekly, and ensure each tire is inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure. This information is typically found in your owner’s manual or on a sticker located on the driver’s side doorjamb. Never inflate tires to the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall, as this is the tire’s maximum capacity, not the recommended operating pressure for your car.
Regular Tire Inspections: Inspect your tires at least monthly and before embarking on long journeys, especially during winter. Check tires when they are cold, meaning they haven’t been driven on for at least three hours, for accurate pressure readings. Note the age of your tires, as some manufacturers recommend replacement every six years, regardless of tread wear.
Comprehensive Tire Check: Beyond pressure and age, thoroughly inspect your tires for:
- Damage: Look for cuts, punctures, bulges, scrapes, cracks, or bumps on the tread and sidewalls.
- Tread Depth: Ensure your tires have sufficient tread depth. The minimum legal tread depth in many areas is 2/32 of an inch. In winter conditions and car and snow scenarios, deeper tread is crucial for traction. Consider using the “penny test” – if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head when inserting a penny headfirst into the tread, your tires may be too worn.
- Spare Tire: Don’t forget to check the condition and inflation of your spare tire.
If you detect any tire damage or excessive wear, consult a tire service professional promptly.
Consider Snow Tires: For areas with frequent and heavy snowfall, investing in snow tires (also known as winter tires) can significantly enhance safety. Snow tires are designed with specialized rubber compounds that remain flexible in cold temperatures and unique tread patterns that provide superior grip on snow and ice. Before purchasing new tires, research tire safety ratings on resources like the NHTSA website to compare treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
Child Car Seat Safety in Winter
Winter Coats and Car Seats: Bulky winter coats can compromise the effectiveness of car seat harnesses. Thick padding in coats compresses in a crash, creating slack in the harness straps, potentially allowing a child to be ejected from the seat or suffer greater injury. Dress children in thin, warm layers when using car seats. After securing the harness snugly, you can place blankets or coats over the child for additional warmth.
Car Seat Installation and Suitability: Ensure car seats and booster seats are correctly installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle owner’s manual. Verify that children are in the appropriate car seat type for their age and size. Consult resources like NHTSA’s child passenger safety recommendations to find the right car seat for your child. Utilize car seat inspection stations for free checks by certified technicians to ensure proper installation.
Battery Performance in Cold Weather
Cold temperatures significantly impact battery performance. Battery power diminishes in cold weather, making it harder to start gasoline and diesel engines. Electric and hybrid-electric vehicles may also experience reduced driving range in cold conditions. Have your mechanic inspect your battery, charging system, and belts before winter arrives to ensure they are in good condition and replace them if necessary.
Utilizing Safety Technologies in Winter
Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s safety technologies and how they function in winter conditions.
Antilock Braking System (ABS): Understand if your car is equipped with ABS and how to use it correctly. ABS prevents wheel lock-up during braking, allowing you to maintain steering control in emergency braking situations. With ABS, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal. If your car lacks ABS, you may need to pump the brakes if you feel the wheels starting to lock.
Driver Assistance Technologies: Explore other driver-assistance technologies in your vehicle and their winter performance characteristics. Resources like NHTSA.gov provide information on various driver-assist technologies.
Floor Mats and Pedal Safety
Consider switching to thicker, rubberized floor mats during winter to better contain slush and snow tracked into your car. Improperly installed or incompatible floor mats can interfere with the accelerator or brake pedals, increasing the risk of accidents. Always use mats that are the correct size and fit for your vehicle, and secure them using retention clips according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Preparing Your Car for Snow and Winter Driving
Proactive vehicle preparation is crucial for safe driving when car and snow conditions prevail.
Lights for Visibility
Ensure all your car’s lights are functioning correctly, including headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights. If applicable, check trailer brake lights and turn signals as well. Good visibility is essential in snowy and low-light winter conditions.
Windshield Wipers and Washer Fluid
Winter driving, especially with car and snow, demands effective windshield wipers and washer fluid. You can quickly deplete washer fluid in a snowstorm due to road spray and grime. Fill your vehicle’s washer fluid reservoir with a high-quality “winter” fluid containing de-icer before winter weather arrives. Verify that defrosters and all windshield wipers are functioning correctly. Replace worn wiper blades. Consider installing heavy-duty winter wiper blades if you live in an area with significant snow and ice.
Cooling System Maintenance
Check your vehicle’s coolant level and ensure it meets the manufacturer’s specifications. Consult your owner’s manual for recommendations. Inspect the cooling system for leaks, test the coolant’s freeze protection level, and flush or replace old coolant as needed. A well-maintained cooling system is vital to prevent engine overheating or freezing in extreme winter temperatures. Consider a pre-winter tune-up by a mechanic to check for leaks, worn hoses, and other potential issues.
Pre-Trip Preparations for Driving in Snow
Before venturing out in your car and snow, take essential preparatory steps.
Stocking Your Winter Emergency Kit
Carry a winter emergency kit in your vehicle to handle common winter driving situations and potential emergencies. Essential items include:
- Snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper: For clearing snow from your car and path.
- Abrasive material (sand or kitty litter): To provide traction if your car gets stuck in snow or ice.
- Jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices (flares or reflective triangles): For jump-starting a dead battery and signaling for help.
- First-aid kit, including a tourniquet: For treating minor injuries and controlling severe bleeding in emergencies.
- Blankets: For warmth if you become stranded in cold weather.
- Cell phone and charger, water, food, and necessary medications: For communication and sustenance in case of delays or emergencies.
Fuel and Battery Charge Management
Keep your gas tank at least half full, if not closer to full, throughout the winter. This prevents fuel lines from freezing and ensures you have ample fuel if you get stuck or delayed.
For electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, maintain a good battery charge and minimize battery drain. Cold temperatures reduce battery efficiency. Pre-heating your car while it’s plugged in can help conserve battery charge and keep the battery within its optimal temperature range. Charging your EV overnight in winter is a good practice.
Route Planning and Weather Awareness
Before driving, check local weather and traffic reports. If road conditions are poor due to snow or ice, postpone non-essential travel until roads are cleared. If travel is necessary, ensure you are fully prepared for potential delays. For longer trips in forecasted winter weather, consider leaving earlier or adjusting your departure time to avoid driving during the worst periods of the storm.
Familiarize yourself with your route and have maps or GPS available, even if you use GPS navigation. Inform someone of your route and estimated arrival time. On longer trips, plan for regular stops to stretch, eat, check your phone, and rest or switch drivers if needed to combat drowsiness.
Year-Round Car Safety Practices
Recall Checks
Regularly check for vehicle recalls using NHTSA’s Recalls Look-up Tool by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Ensure any critical safety recalls are addressed and repaired for free by the dealership. Download NHTSA’s SaferCar app to receive alerts about recalls affecting your vehicle.
Safe Driving Behaviors
Practice safe driving habits year-round, which are even more critical when driving your car and snow is a factor:
- Avoid Distracted Driving: Never text or drive while distracted.
- Obey Speed Limits: Adhere to posted speed limits and reduce speed further in adverse conditions.
- Drive Sober: Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as they impair judgment and reaction time.
- Wear Seat Belts: Always wear your seat belt, and ensure all passengers do as well, on every trip, regardless of distance.
By following these comprehensive tips, you can significantly enhance your safety and preparedness when driving your car and snow conditions are present, ensuring safer journeys throughout the winter season.
