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How Do You Drive On This Stuff?

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all if you can avoid it, but if you have to go out, here are some tips to keep control of your vehicle, even in the worst conditions.

It’s always helpful if you can practice winter driving techniques in snow, so if you have some time and a snowy, empty parking lot, you could try out a few scenarios and see how you and your car can handle them.

Keeping Your Vehicle Prepared

1. Always keep the gas tank at least half full, and add gasoline antifreeze to every second tank.
2. Top up antifreeze, transmission, brake and windshield-washer fluids.
3. Use a matching set of all-season or snow tires that meet standards.
4. Make sure that tire valves are equipped with caps to keep out snow and ice.
5. Dress properly - wear warm clothing.
6. Carry a winter emergency kit that includes: extra antifreeze and windshield-washer fluid; a flashlight and extra batteries; blankets; a candle; matches; hazard markers or flares; a snow shovel; extra hats and mitts; and chocolate or granola bars.
7. Check local weather and road conditions before leaving.
8. If possible, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
9. Bring a cell phone and a map and be prepared to take an alternative route.

Driving Safely on Icy Roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don't pass snowploughs and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If Your Rear Wheels Skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If Your Front Wheels Skid...

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately. You can shift into neutral without applying the brake.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If You Get Stuck...

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Sources: Transport Canada and National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles