To ensure you receive the best service possible,
please enter your zip code below:
Slick roads, reduced visibility and freezing temperatures can make winter weather driving unpredictable and even nerve-wracking. Each year, nearly half a million crashes and more than 1,000 road fatalities result from snowstorms and ice. But with proper preparation and awareness of the key winter driving rules, you can maneuver harsh conditions to arrive at your destination safely.
Here are some tips and insights to help you best navigate the wintry roads ahead:
Sign up for free weather alerts and tune in to the local news before heading out on long or short winter commutes. If the forecast predicts severe weather, consider delaying your trip or taking an alternative route with the fewest potential risks. If you must leave, inform others of your route, destination and estimated arrival time. Even if you drive regularly in the snow, prepare for the possibility that others may not. Drive defensively and stay alert behind the wheel.
Prepare your car for winter before cold weather conditions arrive. Preventive maintenance for winter and routine maintenance will ensure your vehicle, and its tires are in peak operating condition and able to handle both icy roads and significant drops in temperature. To avoid your gas line from freezing up, keep your gas tank at least half full. Replace worn wiper blades, have your brakes inspected, check to ensure all your lights are working properly and make sure your tires are inflated to the pressure levels listed in your owner’s manual or on your driver’s door jamb. Remember, as temperatures drop, so does tire pressure—typically about 1 pound per square inch for every 10 degrees.
In addition to preventive maintenance for colder weather, prepare an emergency supply kit for your car containing blankets, flares, a shovel, gloves, a hat, food, water and necessary medications. If you become stranded, these items can help sustain you until help arrives.
Be prepared with a fully equipped winter survival kit for your car. Learn what you should have so you and your loved ones are safe while driving in wintry weather.
Get prepared
Even if you only commute a short distance, clear the snow and ice off your whole car—windshield, roof, hood and trunk. This prevents large chunks of ice from falling onto your windshield and limiting visibility while driving or flying off and hitting the cars behind you.
Wet snow can be the most difficult to remove since it’s heavy and can create a layer of ice on the paint. Use a snow broom (preferably wrapped in a microfiber towel) to gently dig in and lift the snow off your car in small chunks. Be careful not to scrape your paint, and if any ice remains on the windows, use an ice scraper to clear the accumulation.
Lighter snow can be easily removed by hand or mini snow blowers explicitly made for cars. In some instances, leaf blowers can also remove fluffy snow quickly and without harming paint.
The key to retaining traction in the snow is accelerating and decelerating slowly, not making sudden directional changes, as well as, always leaving ample distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Never use cruise control on any slippery or icy surface and avoid quick turns. When you do slow, keep your heel on the floor and use the ball of your foot to brake gently.
Take extra caution on bridges and overpasses, where slick spots freeze first and melt last, and be aware of the ridges that can form between lanes from snow sludge. If you need to change lanes, signal your intentions as early as possible and give yourself extra time to merge. When driving uphill, keep a steady, consistent speed and don’t press your brakes or gun the gas pedal. It’s natural to want to accelerate while driving uphill but doing so in the snow can cause your tires to spin.
Low beams are especially useful in bad weather since the light from high beams can impair the vision of oncoming drivers and creates glare for the driver as it reflects off snow, rain or heavy fog.
To maximize visibility, use fog lights in tandem with your low beams. Yellow or amber-colored fog lights hold the most potential for nighttime visibility when extra light is needed; make sure your fog lights are angled down to prevent light from reflecting toward you.
If your car has daytime running lights, determine whether this includes your taillights or headlights. Sometimes, you may need to turn on your headlights to activate the taillights. Remember, it’s just as important to be seen from behind as the front. When you’re clearing your car of snow, be sure to brush off all lights.
If you’re not acclimated to driving in the snow, are driving a different car than last winter or have a new driver in your home, head for an empty parking lot at the season’s first snowfall and practice. Spend time accelerating and braking gently to get a feel for how the vehicle responds on slippery roads and experience different turn angles to gauge how the car reacts. If you lose traction, practice looking and steering where you want to go, avoid jerky, fast moves that can cause your wheels to lose grip.
If your car has ABS brakes and you come to a hard stop on a slippery road, you may hear or feel the ABS begins to vibrate; this sound means the system is working. Do not pump the brakes instead, apply the brakes steadily and allow the system to do its job.
Get notifications via text or email when severe weather is heading your way with AAA weather alerts—free for Members. Need help preparing your car? Head to your local AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA-Approved Auto Repair Facility, where a qualified technician will help you understand what your vehicle needs to be winter-ready.
Be safe!
Get trusted help from any AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA Approved Auto Repair shop. Whether you're dealing with minor or major issues, our professionals are here to help you save time, money, and stress.
