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Tips for driving in snow and ice please

19 replies

Carnewb · 28/11/2023 16:14

Hi all,
I passed my test in August and have been driving my car since September, I've driven in slightly icy conditions but didn't experience any issues, drove carefully and stayed slow, used engine braking as much as appropriate and just generally took care.
We're now forecast a cold snap and I do live somewhere that's a bit exposed and where there's bends and hills a-plenty!
I've read online advice from RAC and similar sources, but I'm actually quite concerned about the 'first' time I feel the loss of control like a slide or skid - I don't really know what it feels like if that makes sense? I know the principles but does anyone have any 'real' experience hints/tips for driving in icy conditions for a new (and nervous!) Driver please?

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 28/11/2023 16:17

If you're concerned about it, get tyres that are rated for snow and ice. These are brilliant, because you can leave them on year round.

I live in an area that gets a lot of snow and we have these on both of our cars.

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tires/michelin-crossclimate2

CrossClimate 2 | Michelin

Michelin CrossClimate 2 tire is designed for exceptional performance, all season traction, longer tread life and a quiet ride. Read customer reviews & shop today.

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/tires/michelin-crossclimate2

LIZS · 28/11/2023 16:18

It feels as if the steering has gone light and ineffective. Drive steadily and try not to brake or accelerate sharply. Gove more space between vehicles. If you can avoid stopping so much the better.

Esgaroth · 28/11/2023 16:41

The only reason snow causes so much havoc in the UK is because most people are on summer tyres all year round. If it makes sense where you live, invest in some winter tyres or all season tyres. It will make a world of difference!

Then just brake and accelerate gently and take corners more slowly, reduce speed in general.

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mamakoukla · 28/11/2023 16:46

Accelerate and decelerate more slowly to maintain control of the car. Longer braking distances. Don’t look into the beautiful swirling snowflakes… they’re mesmerising!

IfYourSchool · 28/11/2023 16:50

The only reason snow causes so much havoc in the UK is because most people are on summer tyres all year round. If it makes sense where you live, invest in some winter tyres or all season tyres. It will make a world of difference!

This!!! Unless you have winter tyres on, you don't drive in snow/ice. It's really as simple as that.

And if you do drive in winter conditions with summer tyres you could potentially invalidate your insurance as your car isn't road-worthy.

SirChenjins · 28/11/2023 16:51

Winter or all season tyres are your friend - I have Vectors which get really good reviews and which are fitted to our local police force’s vehicles.

Other than that, leave plenty of room, drive in a high gear as often as you can, and stock your car with a shovel, drinks, snacks, warm clothes, waterproof boots and blankets in case you do get stuck - I did once and couldn’t believe how cold you get in a car. Make sure your fuel tank is kept well topped up, and make sure you have screen wash for cold weather.

Above all, and it sounds v obvious - don’t travel unless you absolutely have to.

DeepSownSeeds · 28/11/2023 16:52

Also honestly do not go out unless you have to, work from home, get the train etc if possible, it is just less of a risk plus there are other drivers on the road too who don't drive safely.

The steering just becomes inaffective and there is no resistance when you turn the wheel and the brakes don't work. I had been driving for 20 years and discovered that the car I had was like bambi on ice, I had never had that before, I just slid almost through a red traffic light at a 4 way junction. I was going very slowly but it was awful. I steered toward the kerb and prayed I wouldn't mount the pavement. Luckily my car stopped against the kerb.

Brake early and then just slowly come up to the junction. Have supplies in your car like Sir says, assume you will get stuck which is why I said avoid going out if you can.

MagpiePi · 28/11/2023 16:55

Take it steady up hills so you don't lose momentum. If you do get stuck on a hill then it can be easier to roll back down to the bottom and start again from a clear patch, instead of massively revving the engine and spinning the wheels to get going again. You will eventually wear away the snow/ice to tarmac but you won't be doing your clutch any favours.

Give way to cars coming up hills!!

Alltheusernamesaretakennow · 28/11/2023 17:07

There are anti skid driving courses available, which may be helpful.

Went on a works day out a long time ago, and learnt a lot. Mainly to drive gently on the accelerator, and stay in higher gears, as PP said. Also, avoid the instinct to steer out of a skid, and steer into it.

whatdoidonowffs · 28/11/2023 18:10

Slow and steady
pack your car with blankets food drinks
make sure your breakdown cover is in place and you have relay on it

Carnewb · 28/11/2023 19:37

Thank you all!

I have 'all season' tyres on, and I have essentials in the car like a torch, blanket, heavy coat and walking/snow boots, a drink and some crisps/snacks as well as de icer and I carry windscreen solution all the time and have put in neat (as directed for colder temperatures). Got a phone charger as well.

I can't avoid going to work, I would avoid non essential journeys but I don't get paid if I don't go and unless roads are closed (in which case I wouldn't try obviously) you are expected to try. And I can't work from home, however the upside is that if I couldn't get home I can stay and have facilities to wash my uniform and will get fed!

I am just concerned that I've never experienced it before and I suppose it's fear of the unknown. I have felt the steering go light and unresponsive for a few moments while driving down a hill through running water on a bend, I had changed down a gear before the water, and slowed right down (in one of the recent storms and a storm run off blocked) but it was momentary and it didn't really affect the direction of the car, would have done if it hadn't gripped again.

Just don't want to cause/have an accident, although I know that's not always possible driving in icy conditions.

OP posts:
Helenloveslee4eva · 28/11/2023 19:42

I had snow tyres. To be honest they didn’t make it any easier , but I’ve yet to find snow and ice too tricky.

the biggest thing is to slow down , leave large gaps to the car in front ( and don’t shout at the idiots pushing in all the time - keep you safe ) , make steering small movements , slow in the gears , brake gently and read the road and anticipate what all the other “ idiots “ will do 🤣

CatOnTheCludgy · 28/11/2023 19:42

Leave double the distance to the car in front. ALWAYS be able to see their tyres, never get too close.
Slow down.
Use the correct headlights.
Leave enough time to get there so you are not tempted to rush.

Keep 2 carpet tiles in the car boot. If stuck in snow you may need to drive onto them to drive out without the wheels spinning. However I doubt that will be necessary in the south of England. But not impossible!

Keep a blanket in the car and spare chocolate bars.

LIZS · 28/11/2023 19:49

When you brake you may need to press the pedal, ease off a bit before pressing again to avoid locking up and skidding.

Grimmz · 28/11/2023 19:50

I'm Canadian and the best advice I can offer is: slow way down.

HappySammy · 28/11/2023 19:56

The main thing is to drive slower than you think you should. If someone's behind you looking impatient, stop or slow down to let them pass. Better to have them in front than behind. The first time I drove to work in the snow I was in an automatic VW Up! I was very grateful to the person in the range rover who was driving at 15mph around the country roads in front of me. If I'd been alone I would have felt pressured to speed up when someone arrived behind me.

larkstar · 28/11/2023 20:19

Your "all season tyres" are a step in the right direction but the truth is they are still a compromise and probably won't be as effective as winter tyres.

Check they your have plenty of tread - don't simply go off the MOT saying you've got x months left on your tyres - being legal isn't the main issue come the winter months - I will change my tyres early - before the winter - even if there is 4-6 months of legal tread left on them - you need the tread on the winter - no point in skirting through winter with "just the right side if legal" read depth on them.

Check your tyre pressures regularly (I use s rechargeable battery powered tyre inflator - let me look it up....

Ring Automotive Ring RTC6000... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MVWDSW8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

it's easier to be able to check out at home rather than remember to do it when you are filling up at a petrol station where either the pump is broken or someone is using it). I have a campervan and having the right tyre pressures really does make a difference to fuel economy. I have hybrid winter/summer tyres on my van but when I come to change them I'll be getting another set of hubs and a set of full winter tyres - that's expensive but what the heck - it's expensive enough buying and using a van anyway.

Think about the conditions - read the road and anticipate where you might encounter black ice. If the snow had fallen and there's been a bit of a thaw the to layer of the snow may well be a sheet of ice - so just think about that. When this has happened you often notice it as you set off from home in the morning - it's often easier to pull away in 2nd or even 3rd instead of 1st where you are more likely to generate wheel spin (which is no good for the tread on your tyres for one thing).

Have you ever heard of felt your ABS activate? Watch out for that - it's a sign of how icy it is - you'll fell and hear the brake pedal vibrate under your foot - it's s sign you need to take care.

If you look at the road you might work out where there could be black ice even if you think a lot of the snow had melted away - it will be in those places, for instance, that have remained in shadow - hedges, banks or buildings might have perfected the sun from getting to the snow on the road - this all comes with experience.

Sections of the road to be careful at are places like T junctions of you are approaching and have to stop and give way (because you are on the side road) and where the road you are on is angled down towards the main road you'll be joining - this is a particular problem of the are hedges as there could be black ice as you approach the junction. I find this if I take the back roads in the countryside (as suggested by Google) to avoid traffic problems or an accident on a main road so personally - it's probably better to stay on the main roads where there are lots of traffic.

I've had my car slide on ice roads on housing estates where I have been going at less than walking speed - once you lose the grip there's little you can do. Check your spare is a decent tyre - I burst an almost brand new front tyre sliding straight on into a curb on a 90 degree corner once (on an estate lined with old terraced houses) at very low speed - I was really surprised that happened.

HTH

LIZS · 28/11/2023 20:29

Also watch out for variations in road surface where black ice may not thaw as quickly like on bridges, manhole covers, side roads, car parks etc

StarDolphins · 28/11/2023 20:34

I only have snow tyres on the front as that’s all I could stretch to but I only do local journeys & I go really really slow. Way slower than most round here.

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