Everybody loves a good snow day – when Mother Nature dumps enough snow on us that school and work are cancelled and we can all just stay home and watch movies and drink hot chocolate. Sometimes, however, it becomes necessary to drive in the snow and ice. If it does, it is vitally important to know what to do in these situations.

Before winter even started, hopefully you had the chance to check out your car to make sure that the tires were properly inflated, the antifreeze levels were in the right place, and that the rest of your car is in proper working order. Additionally, you should have an emergency kit in your car in the event you’re not able to drive in the bad weather.

Provided your car is in good shape, you have your emergency kit, and you know the following tips to driving in snow and ice, proceed with caution and get there safe.

Drive slowly. Not only is it possible for your car to slide on the ice or snow, it is also possible for others to slip and slide. Additionally, visibility can be low, so it might be hard to see cars that are stopping ahead of you. Leave plenty of space between your car and other cars so that you have plenty of reaction space. If you generally keep a car’s length between you and other cars, keep three car lengths when it is snowy or icy outside.

When you have to brake, do it gently. You may skid. If you do, back off the brake. If your wheels do skid, remove your foot from the accelerator immediately and steer into the swerve. Meaning, steer the front wheels in the direction you want them to go, or the opposite direction that the rear wheels are skidding. If you start skidding the other way, correct again until you’re back on track.

A note about brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes, DO NOT pump them. Many driving manuals will tell you that when your rear wheels skid you should pump your brakes, but those manuals were written prior to discoveries about anti-lock brakes, so don’t do it. Instead, apply gentle and steady pressure. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently to slow down your vehicle.

Even if you don’t skid, there are plenty of dangers on the road. Make sure you keep your lights on no matter what time of day it is, and keep your windshield clean to increase visibility. Don’t try to pass other cars, especially tractor trailers, snow plows, and sand trucks. These vehicles have low visibility and have trouble stopping.

Use low gears, and be super careful on bridges or overpasses which are more prone to freezing. These are the most dangerous areas in the winter, even if the outside temperature is above freezing.

Make sure not to spin your wheels should you get stuck in deeper snow, or you’ll dig yourself in deeper. Use sand or kitty litter to try to give your tires some traction, and try rocking the car (as long as your owner’s manual says it is OK) to get it out.

Use your head, and be mindful of other vehicles on the road.

Author Bio: Jack Labens works for Empire Covers, a leading provider of car covers and accessories such as motorcycle covers and boat covers. Empire Covers can be found online at: EmpireCovers.com or at their blog EmpireCovers-Blog.com .

Category: Automotive
Keywords: driving in inclement weather, driving in snow, driving in ice, snow tires, tire chains