Driving in Snow and Ice

Driving safely of icy roads

Accelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly is the best method for retaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry.

Slow down and leave 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. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads: acclerating, stopping, turning; nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to manuver by driving slowly.

Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to kep rolling until the light changes, do it.

Brake gently to avoid skidding. If you feel the car starting to slide, ease off of the brake.

Don't use the cruise control on icy roads.

Be careful on bridges, overpassess and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even if the temperature is above freezing and the roads are wet, there might be ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

Don't pass snow plows or sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and the road ahead of them is likely to be worse than the road behind.

Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can have problems on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid:

• Take your foot off the accelerator
• 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.
• If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, eas the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
• If you DO NOT have anti-lock brakes, pump them gently to stop.
• If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes - apply steady pressure. You will feel the brakes pulse and that is normal.

If your front wheels skid:

• Take your foot of the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
• As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will returen. 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:

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