Get a Grip: Driving on Snowy Roads

While driving may be the most important part of getting from A to B in said conditions, that certainly isn't all there is to winter driving. To the point, adequate prepping and knowing the proper techniques for getting your automobile unstuck from a low-grip scenario both matter a helluva lot in the grand scheme of things.

One can further make a case for getting acquainted with the capabilities of your vehicle in depth, especially when it comes to drive layout and electronic nannies. Of course, a dash of common sense is also required, which brings us to the matter of tire types.

Make sure your vehicle is rocking winter tires

If you're living in Florida and Louisiana, winter tires are pretty much useless. A good set of all-season rubber should be good enough in cold weather, for all-season rubber is produced with a special compound to keep them flexible. By comparison, summer tires are not suited for temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 4 centigrade in the metric system.

Also remember that all-season and summer tires feature markedly different tread patterns, for the all-seasons have to perform over a much wider range of conditions and temperatures. This versatility doesn't mean a thing when it snows like in the Coca-Cola commercials with Santa Claus and cute polar bears, which is why one has to spend a few buckaroos on a good set of winter shoes.

Differentiated from all-seasons by means of compound, tread pattern and depth, plus an increased number of biting edges for improved traction, winter tires make a world of difference on a snowy road. The only rule of thumb is don't be a cheapo, as in do spend them extra dollars on a well-known brand. Obviously enough, the likes of Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Continental, Nokian, and so forth spend far more dollars on quality and development than lesser-known brands do.

Understanding the anti-lock braking system and traction control

In order to get a grip on winter driving, motorists have to understand how the anti-lock braking system and traction control work in cold-weather scenarios. As implied, anti-lock braking refers to a braking system that prevents the wheels from locking under braking. Furthermore, steering control is retained – to a degree – while skidding.

Traction control is a self-explanatory matter as well. When a tire slips, therefore losing grip, traction control gently applies braking force to said wheel and cuts engine power in order to regain control. Traction control should be on most of the time in winter driving scenarios, with the only exceptions being when you're stuck and when you're running tire chains.

Similar to dry-weather conditions, ABS will keep your wheels from locking up under braking. It's normal to feel some pulsation from the brake pedal. The only thing you absolutely should not do on a snow-covered road is to slam the brakes, for the ABS will go bananas. Instead, careful brake pedal modulation is the way to maximize braking performance without getting hindered by the anti-lock braking system's limitations. That said, just find a snowy parking lot with as few cars and obstacles as possible to practice.

RWD vs FWD in wintry driving conditions

If you often find yourself scrolling Instagram and TikTok for cat videos, you have surely come across two-legged cats rocking wheeled carts to regain part of their mobility. Now try to imagine how said cats use their legs. While that may sound a bit weird, that's exactly how rear drive differs from front-wheel drive.

Put bluntly, rear-wheel drive means that your vehicle pushes forward, whereas front-wheel drive pulls your vehicle forward. How much does that matter on a snowy road? Every car enthusiast out there is perfectly aware that rear-wheel drive is the more exciting of the two, but front-wheel drive is preferred in such conditions because a FWD vehicle will maintain course in case of poorish grip.

A rear-drive vehicle's tail can easily step out under acceleration in low-grip conditions, which requires quick corrective actions to regain control. To this effect, RWD vehicle owners have it harder in snowy weather.

Don't get lulled by AWD or 4WD

There was a time when four-wheel drive was easily distinguishable from all-wheel drive. Nowadays, on the other hand, they're hard to distinguish because of part-time AWD systems (such as the Haldex setup of many Volkswagen models) and full-time 4WD systems (such as the Selec-Trac and Rock-Trac systems of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe).

Given the aforementioned, simply put it this way: AWD is better suited for on-road driving, whereas 4WD is more capable off the beaten path. Which one's better in the winter? Be it a part- or a full-time system, power to all four wheels is better than power to merely two. Don't, however, even dare think that all-wheel drive/four-wheel drive is a magical solution to winter driving because not even the best system can overcome traction limitations.

With all of the traction being provided by the tires, ensure that your automobile is equipped with quality winter tires. Verify if the tread depth is adequate, for tread depth impacts the ability to grip in snow. What's more, the deepness of the grooves impacts the ability to channel slush quickly for improved grip.

Get acquainted with your state's tire chain laws

Before hitting the road, it's very important to familiarize yourself with tire chain laws. In Alaska, for example, motorists aren't permitted to use chains when north of 60 north latitude from May 1 to September 15. South of said latitude, that's April 15 to September 30.

Compared to the US average snowfall of 28 inches, Sweet Home Alabama gets an inch or thereabout. Be that as it may, usage of tire chains is permitted upon any vehicle in the name of safety in case of weather conditions that may cause the vehicle to skid or slide. This rule also applies to the state of Arizona.

Tire chains should be installed on the driven wheels exclusively, with most tire chain manufacturers recommending a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour (just under 50 kilometers per hour). Chains don't simply handle deep snow better than winter tires on their own, but also work their magic on icy surfaces. Commercially available tire chains normally come in pairs. If driving on chains, do not forget to turn off traction control.

To-do list before you hit the road

As you might have guessed by now, motorists who intend to venture out in snowy weather should prep themselves with a number of goodies, beginning with an ice scraper and a snow brush. A de-icing solution will also come in handy in thawing frozen locks quickly. You can go through a lot of windshield wiper fluid in the event of a snowstorm, which is why you should top off the reservoir as often as possible. Also make sure that all your lights work fine.

It goes without saying that you should also check if your vehicle's coolant level is between the F and L markings with the cap in place and the engine cold. A tow strap is essential during wintertime as well, along with a first aid kit, a spare tire, and a 12-volt portable air compressor to pump air in case of a flat tire. In particularly bad conditions, don't be afraid of using precious trunk space on non-perishable food, a few bottles of water, and some warm clothing.

Also consider a foldable shovel to dig out compacted snow from around the wheels or under the vehicle. Last but certainly not least, a set of traction mats/boards is also highly recommended in the event of getting stuck in the snow. But more on that a little bit later.

Winter driving tips & tricks

Racing enthusiasts are well aware that smoothness is key to being on the limit of grip on a racetrack. Not exactly a coincidence, being smooth is extremely important in the real world as well, especially on a snowy or slushy road with inconsistent grip levels.

From throttle application to braking force and how you turn the wheel, being deliberately gentle is the name of the game. Hard acceleration, too much brake force, or too aggressive of a turn of the wheel can unsettle the vehicle on a slippery road. Similar to how Takumi Fujiwara from Initial D used a water cup to master the touge without spilling a single drop, imagine that you have a cup of water in your vehicle's cupholder as well.

Regardless of how gentle one is behind the wheel in wintry conditions, each and every single one of us will experience an unwanted skid. From the very beginning of the skid, motorists are to look where they want to go while using the peripheral vision for everything else. In dealing with a skid on a low-grip surface, there are two solutions.

Easing off the gas without panic-stabbing the brake pedal is the best modus operandi to negate a front-wheel skid. If the skid originates from the rear, make things right by turning the wheel in the appropriate direction. If the rear slides to the left, then turn left to regain control. If right, then right. While doing so, gently lift your right foot off the loud pedal.

The worst-case scenario is an unavoidable impact, in which case you should stomp on the brake pedal and try to steer away from said obstacle. As a brief refresher, anti-lock brakes work even with the brake pedal fully depressed, making it possible to steer around an obstacle while slowing down the vehicle.

In order to prevent unwanted skids, you have to assess traction from time to time. The catch is you can't assess traction safely in case of traffic, for you need to apply the brakes gently in a straight line to find out how much the anti-lock brake system intervenes. A lot of vibration through the brake pedal means slick road, little stands for so-and-so grip, and no intervention whatsoever is a clear-cut affair.

Assessing traction is made easy by the traction control's amber telltale. Whenever it blinks in the instrument cluster, heed it by easing off the accelerator. When it stops blinking, that means the vehicle regained enough grip. If a telltale blinks while cornering, that's either traction or stability control. The latter is best described as a function of the traction control system.

Mandatory in new passenger vehicles since 2012 in the United States of America, stability control dials in brake pressure to a side of the vehicle in order to steer the vehicle in that direction. Like anti-lock brakes and traction control, stability control has its limitations. In other words, don't leave the corrective action to said electronic nannies exclusively.

To become a good winter driver, you should always anticipate as far ahead as possible. This evidently requires paying close attention to your stopping distance, pedal application, and steering work, making winter driving especially demanding on your mind and – due to the snow's reflective glare – eyes.

Anticipating entails reading the road to your best ability. In reading the road, pay attention to the outside temperature and where the sunlight hits the road. Spots in the shade are the most deceptive of the lot, for black ice tends to form in shaded areas. Black ice forms at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), especially at night. Losing grip on a patch of black ice should be no concern.

As with any on-the-edge winter driving situation, keep your cool and ease off the throttle while your left foot covers the brake pedal in preparation for an obstacle. A dull surface is much preferred. Don't be afraid of dry snow, for it offers superior traction than wet snow and ice formations on the road.

Having touched upon all- and four-wheel drive a few paragraphs earlier, be warned that slip-free acceleration from a standstill can give you a false sense of security in wintry driving conditions. Once you're up to speed, be it 20 miles per hour or highway speeds, it's up to the tires to grip the road and prevent skidding.

What to do if you get stuck

In the first instance, turn off traction control. Gently rock the vehicle back and forth without mashing your foot on the accelerator pedal, preferably in second gear to minimize wheel spin. If the driven wheels continue spinning without moving the vehicle, then steer to change their direction and rock some more.

If there's too much snow around the wheels or underneath your vehicle, put some elbow grease into it with the foldable shovel mentioned in the to-do list chapter. To improve traction, also consider laying your vehicle's floor mats in front or behind the driven wheels. Two-by-fours and branches also work.

Before thinking about getting a tow from a passing motorist or roadside assistance, try using traction mats/boards as well. They're usually better than floor mats or other impromptu solutions. Similar to the floor mats, firmly wedge the mats/boards under the driven wheels. The trick is to gently apply throttle and maintain momentum without creating wheel spin, as that may damage the studs, therefore compromising the traction boards/mats.