There are affiliate links on this article. If you make a purchase through any of the links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
So, you’re driving in snow for the first time? Here are some tips that will help you have a great ride experience during the winter season when you have to deal with snowy tracks.
One of the common concerns of driving in snow is spinning out – a situation where the wheels lose traction and grip.
When you drive in the snow, you need to drive slowly and carefully, as well as keenly observe other drivers on the roads. Don’t try to accelerate in turns – don’t also apply brakes in turn, except if really necessary.
Hereunder are the full tips for your first-time drive on a snowy track!
Tips For Driving In Snow For The First Time
1. Drive Slowly, Always
This is the most important thing to keep in mind when driving in snow for the first time! There’s always an urge to increase your speed level – especially when driving on a “free” road.
However, during snow time, don’t yield to that urge. The best, and recommended, way to drive on snowy roads is to maintain low speed – even if you’ve got “Winter Tires.”
When you drive slowly, your wheel won’t lose grip on the snowy road, even when you turn or swivel. Some drivers would taunt and say, “when you drive in the snow, you drive like you’ve got a grandma in the backseat and she’s got a crockpot of gravy, so you have to keep things slow.”
2. Warm The Car Before Driving Out
It’s the cold season, your car is also not left out in the effect. Some drivers even have to winterize their vehicles for snow times.
When you wake up in the morning, during winter, one of the first things to do is to get into the car and warm the engine for at least 3 minutes.
3. Clear Out The Snow
Got snowballs on your car? Clear them all out before driving, especially the ones on the windows and side mirrors.
To keep snow out of your car completely, you’d need a sturdy car cover. That way, you wouldn’t have to bother about the effects of having snows sleep on your car’s paint.
4. Keep Distance From Other Road Users
This is a very important caution. When driving in snow, keep a good distance from the car in front, and also the one at your back. If the road also has other users such as bikers, cyclists, and pedestrians, ensure to keep a good distance from them, too.
This caution would help you act quickly to prevent being hit by a driver, or another road user, who just lost grip of his car/automobile due to the snowy road. It also saves other road users from getting hit by your car peradventure it is your car that lost grip on the road.
5. Don’t Brake or Throttle In Turns or While Skidding
Even if your car starts to slide on the snowy road, don’t apply brakes – it’d worsen the situation. In such a skidding situation, the best action to take is to keep steering the car until you gain grip again. Actually, the rule of thumb is to steer in the direction the back of your car is skidding towards.
In turns, do not apply the brakes or try to accelerate; if you must do any of them, wait until you have fully turned and are faced with a straight path, then you can gradually apply the brakes or press the throttle. Braking or accelerating in turns can make you lose control of the vehicle on slick roads.
6. Get Winter Tires
- Built to Keep You Working Through the Winter
- Winter Performance and Grip You Can Rely On
- Long-Lasting Performance
- Great Value
- Fit type: Vehicle Specific
Winter tires are designed with special formulas and have a unique tread pattern, which helps to ensure good traction on snowy roads. If you’re not driving with all-season tires, then it’s advisable to port to winter tires once it’s the snow season again.
Top tire brands like Yokohama, Goodyear, Michelin, and Continental all have good winter tires you can buy.
7. Get Snow Chains?
- Designed for pickups and SUVs with very limited operating clearance around the drive tires. Ideal solution to prevent vehicle slipping
- Fast easy installation with no need to move the vehicle
- Designed-in rubber tightener means there is no need to stop and retighten after installation
- Better all-around traction performance than conventional tire chains or cables. Chains should be fitted to tire before actual use
If your tires aren’t “Winter Tires,” and you don’t want to change them, maybe you can get snow chains. Snow chains, or tire chains, are devices worn on vehicle tires in a bid to increase traction when driving on a snowy or icy road.
Well, are not legal in all states, so you should check the regulations for winter driving in your state before purchasing a set of chains for your vehicle tires.
8. Pack In Your Winter Gear
Clothes to keep you warm, skid chains, ensure your car’s heater is working, or get an aftermarket add-on option; all these are “stuff” you may need when driving in the snow.
They’d help to keep you warm and cause you to enjoy a smooth winter surfing experience.
What More?
When driving in snow for the first time, ensure to keep your speed levels low, get winter tires or skid chains for traction purposes, and embrace anything that could keep you warm and comfortable while driving.