Help me drive an automatic on icy roads!

[Mirandawrongs]

I have to go out at 3am on Sunday, it’s very icy here (UK).
I only have access to an automatic car.
last time I drove in icy conditions, I skidded and terrified myself.
it’s really shook me.
I’ve been driving for over twenty years and now feel so pathetic.
please share tips!

You can select and hold first or second. Second will be better?

Drive carefully the same way you would a manual car. Sorry OP I don’t get the issue with it being an automatic car. Genuinely I’m a Canadian who has driven for many years in all kinds of ice and snow in a manual and auto car.

Go slow, steer into a skid and test your brakes (skidding distance) in a safe straight flat area very close to home. That will give you an idea of skid distance and extra stopping distance needed if you get into trouble.

Main issue with an automatic on icy roads is that, left to its own devices, the car may select a lower gear (with the risk of wheel spin) when actually you want a higher one, for e.g. going up a hill without skidding. So without being ridiculous about it, manually select "2" (or use the "snowflake button", which some automatics have) when you normally wouldn't. Hope that makes sense!

Another Canadian driving an automatic here. Can you select different driving modes - switch to constant AWD?

I have an automatic AWD and drive in the northern midwest US is all kinds of conditions.

Drive slowly and steer into a skid.

The problem isn't the automatic.

Just drive slower.

Drive slowly, short “bursts” of braking (ease off accelerator and gently tap the brake, rather than the usual longer and harder press), and if your car has the option; select 2nd gear when pulling away/going up hills etc. If you do skid, steer into the direction your car has decided to take you!

I live on a rather steep hill and drive an ‘08 Fiesta so no bells and whistles here.

Is it a rear wheel drive car? A BMW for example? We used to have one that was useless in snow, wide tires and rear wheel drive is a bad combination and I don’t blame you for struggling. Look for a winter setting or get it in 2nd gear. We had the option of my Fiat 500 which is great in snow with its thin tires, the BMW didn’t go out in snow. It might be worth getting winter tires?

I think the problem is that in the UK people don't tend to have winter tyres. I'm in Sweden and it's illegal to drive without them in the winter here but I used to live in the UK and it was absolute chaos every time there was the tiniest bit of snow or ice on the roads.

I agree though with steering into skids (and hope for the best), it's the only way to do it if you absolutely have to be on the roads,

if possible drive along main roads and bus routes which are more likely to be gritted.

Drive very slowly on side roads (usually ungritted) and tap your brakes if necessary rather than floor them. Our local gritters do the main roads and bus routes so you could plan a different route? Slow and steady and ignore anyone urging you out of your comfort zone!

I've driven automatics all my driving years, and I can tell you your problem isn't the automatic gear box. In fact, an automatic is far less likely to stall at low speeds and obviously doesn't need manual gear changes while concentrating on difficult road conditions, so could be said to be the better option.

Drive very slowly in order to reduce the amount brake usage, and steer into skids as others have said. Anticipate slopes and bends in the road, and take your foot off the pedal well in advance in order to slow down - some automatic drivers rely too much on the brakes to slow down in the absence of a manual gear change...which is not what you want on a snowy/icy road.

Leave extra time for your journey and if possible, take a longer route using gritted main roads rather than ungritted country lanes.

However, the greatest help will be your tyres. Really good quality tyres with decent grip allow for (careful) driving in snow/ice, whereas as cheaper (and therefore lower grip) tyres will make slipping and skidding far, far more likely.

Thank you for the helpful advice.
it’s just a ordinary automatic not awd.

just to add, I am usually a very confident driver.
it was a patch of black ice that killed that confidence.
no amount of steering into that helped.
I had kids in the car so was even more affected.
I keep telling myself to stop being so daft and that I didn’t die but it’s still there

I said in previous post I feel ridiculous

@Chemenger when do you put it in Secondngear ?

I’ve been driving an automatic electric for years in the snow on one pedal drive and hadn’t had any issues at all. Just drive slower and if you are really nervous change your tyres to all season. The first thing I do with a new car

If you are trying to move off in snow or ice second gear is better than first.

I get you! I once nearly skidded from a quiet side road onto a busy dual carriageway on my automatic - absolutely shat myself! I did turn in to the skid and luckily ended up going in to the kerb, which was fine.

Agree that driving slowly, braking slowly works.

i never drove that way again when it was even remotely icy!!

Ordinary automatics should have an option to select first or second. But honestly, I don't use it, you just have to be very light on the accelerator but don't let it coast. Keep speed low and brake gently in short bursts.

Where do you live? Winter tyres or al least all season will really help if you can get that done today?

I put them on every winter when I lived further North. I worked in the community and felt much more confident with them on the car in colder temperatures and icy conditions

Thank you @Goatymum
@Muchtoomuchtodo I live in NW London, so don’t normally have to deal with many icy roads! Just arsehole drivers (I realise that’s me with this thread).