When driving in snow, you should use

in Advanced Driving

When the roads are covered in ice or snow, driving becomes much more dangerous. The tyres have less grip so the car takes longer to respond to the brakes, accelerator and steering. While this often catches out the unwary or inexperienced driver, you don't have to worry about driving in snow if you follow a few basic rules.

The golden rule of snow driving is to drive smoothly. The tyres are your only contact with the road, and the more work they have to do in actually trying to grip the road, the fewer reserves of grip they have for steering and braking.

Starting up from rest on a slippery road obviously means not using too many revs, and letting the clutch up gently. Don't be afraid to slip the clutch - the wheels won't skid if you feed the power in gently. Accelerate slowly, changing up into the higher gears as soon as possible. Try to leave plenty of room between yourself and the car in front so that you have enough time to take avoiding action. Also anticipate well ahead to give yourself time to adjust to changing traffic conditions.

Safety points to remember

Steering/braking

When driving on ice and snow, always turn the steering wheel smoothly. Try not to accelerate or brake when there is any steering lock applied as the car will tend to skid out of line. Slow down as gently as you can to avoid putting the car into a skid. Gently change down to a lower gear so that the engine braking will help slow the car down. Try not to let the clutch up with a snap or the wheels may lock.

If possible, only use the brakes when the car is travelling in a straight line. If the wheels do lock, release the brake pedal or you will slide straight on.

If you are climbing a hill with an icy road surface, try to keep the car going slowly forwards by thinking ahead and braking more gradually so that the car does not come to a complete halt.

Getting stuck

Occasionally, however careful you are, the car may get stuck in snow or be unable to make any headway on an icy road.

If the car is surrounded by deep snow, you will have to dig out a path through to the nearest clear stretch of road. Try to get the car going by feeding in the power gently. It may help to rock the car to and fro by switching between forward and reverse gears to build up the car's momentum.

The tyres can get much more grip on soft snow than on tightly packed snow, so avoid driving in the wheel-tracks of other cars on country lanes and side tracks.

Precautionary measures

Snow chains

In countries where snow and ice are more common than they are in the UK, motorists use snow chains or studded tyres.

Chains can be fitted to the tyres on the car's driven wheels, but they give a noisy and bumpy ride, making them more suitable for rough tracks than for main roads. Similarly, studded tyres would only be worthwhile for drivers who cover a lot of miles on side roads.

Whatever kind of tyres you have, pay particular attention to their pressures when road conditions are difficult - one tyre at the wrong pressure can unbalance the car and make control more difficult.

Contrary to popular belief, reducing the tyre pressure does not give the car better grip in ice and snow.

How to fit snow chains

Taking the chain by the handles, open it so that the curved ends of the hooks face downwards.

Pass the hooks and the hoop behind the tyre. Push the magnetic ends together until they lock.

Pass the tensioning chain through the hook and hook it on to a link to tension the snow chain.

Finally, fit the elastic ring to the outside of the wheel by hooking it to the chains.

Anticipating ice

Some cars are fitted with a warning device that alerts the driver when the outside temperature falls to around freezing point . This does not tell you that the roads are icy, but it indicates that you should drive with more than the usual care.

In general, the more traffic there is on a road, the less chance of the road being icy. Ice is more likely to form on roads that do not have any camber , where pools of water can collect and freeze.

Similarly, ice will tend to linger in places that are shielded from the sun, such as under bridges and on narrow roads with high walls or hedges. Unless you are certain that there is no ice about, drive with the utmost caution and leave plenty of room between you and other cars.

Increase the traction

Fast facts: How to drive in snowy weather

• Operate your vehicle slowly and smoothly, including brakes, steering, acceleration and changing gears.
• Gently accelerate the vehicle using low revs and shift to a higher gear as quickly as possible.
• Maintain a greater braking distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
• If the car begins to skid, try not to panic. Steer gently into it. Do not take your hands off the steering wheel nor slam on the brakes.
• Turn on your headlights. If visibility drops below 100m, turn on your fog lights. But remember to turn them off when visibility improves.

Winter conditions can present motorists with a considerable challenge. Freezing temperatures, poor visibility, and slippery road conditions cause a high risk of losing control of your vehicle and having an accident.

That's why when snowy weather arrives, it's essential to take proper precautions for yourself and your vehicle. Also, adopting a different approach to your driving style will help you avoid tough situations. Here are some useful tips for safely driving in snow.

Install Winter Tires

First things first, your tires. Regularly check the tread for wear and replace them if necessary. In most countries, the legal limit for tread depth on tires is 1.6mm. But consider that safe driving in wet and snowy weather conditions is affected by the tread depth, the pattern design and the rubber compound of the tread of your tires. On wet or snow-covered roads braking performance will progressively decline with lower tread depths. On wet roads there is an additional increased risk of aquaplaning with fading tread depths.

Therefore, check your tires regularly, reduce your speed on wet and snowy roads and consider replacing your tires in good time. Checking that you have the correct tire pressure will also improve your car’s handling and fuel efficiency.

You should also give proper consideration to fitting your vehicle with winter tires or all-season tires. They have a dedicated tread pattern for better traction on snow and ice, and they use a unique rubber compound that stays flexible in cold, wet conditions. Tires certified with a three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall are the ones to get.

Before driving

• Before you embark on your journey, study the route ahead and allow enough time to reach your destination. Check local weather reports and traffic updates to anticipate any potential disruptions. Plan your route to favor major roads, since they're much more likely to have been cleared of snow and gritted.
• Clear all snow from your car windows, mirrors, lights and the roof before you go; driving with snow on your car is dangerous and potentially a violation of the law. Flurries of snow could fall off your vehicle, for example, and obscure the vision of other drivers.
• Top up the windscreen washer reservoir with a strong antifreeze concentration, so it doesn’t freeze on the glass. The inside of the windscreen will need demisting too. It's illegal to drive without full visibility through all the windows on your car.
• You'll want to have a full tank of fuel, so take a detour to the nearest gas station before starting the journey properly.
• Keep a decent pair of sunglasses handy, which can reduce the glare of low winter sun on the snow. And keep your mobile phone fully charged, with the number of a breakdown provider stored so you can immediately call for help.
• To prepare for a potential breakdown on the side of the road, put together an emergency kit of food, drinks, a torch, and extra clothing, and keep it in the trunk. It's also handy to store a high-visibility vest, a warning triangle, and a first aid kit.
• When you're ready to get behind the wheel, be sure to wear dry, comfortable footwear. Try to avoid bringing snow with you into the car; puddles will collect when it melts, and the pedals will get slippery.

The golden rule is that all of the controls on your vehicle – including brakes, steering, acceleration and changing gears – should be operated slowly and smoothly.

• Gently accelerate the vehicle using low revs and shift to a higher gear as quickly as possible. Keep your speed down, be aware of potential hazards, and give yourself enough time to brake and steer. To reduce the chances of the wheels slipping, use the second gear instead of the first gear.
• Maintain a greater braking distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, especially in conditions like rain, ice and snow; leave as much as ten times the usual recommended gap.
• When starting or climbing hills, leave plenty of room in front of the car so you can maintain a steady speed without the need for changing gear or acceleration.
• When going downhill, use a low gear for going downhill and try to avoid braking unless absolutely necessary. Again, make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.
• Shift down and use engine braking to slow the car, but if you need to use the brakes apply them gently.
• When approaching a curve, start to brake before you begin to turn the steering wheel. If your car loses grip, try not to panic; the best action is to ease off the accelerator and keep your wheels pointing in the direction you want to travel in.
• If the car begins to skid, try not to panic. Steer gently into it. If the rear of the car is sliding to the left, for example, then steer to the left. You absolutely must not take your hands off the steering wheel or slam your foot on the brakes.
• When driving through heavy snow, make sure to turn on your headlights. Don't just depend on daytime running lights. If visibility drops below 100m, turn on your fog lights. But remember to turn them off when visibility improves.
• If there is no grit on the roads, avoid driving in the wheel tracks or other vehicles; packed snow is more icy than fresh snow.

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