10 Best Practices for Winter Driving

If you live in a part of the country that gets cold and sees accumulating snow, you know driving in severe weather can not only be scary, but dangerous. Here are 10 best practices for winter driving to help you feel confident and keep you safe out on the road.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

1 / 10
Get Your Car Serviced
ESB Professional/Shutterstock

Get Your Car Serviced

Having your car break down any time of the year is an inconvenience, but in the cold and snow, it can be dangerous. Take your vehicle in for a tune-up, oil change and any needed repairs. Now's also the best time to check the tread on your tires. Check out some more of our winter driving tips and learn how to change your own car oil and our expert guide for buying tires.
2 / 10
Check Your Battery
Bjoern Wylezich/Shutterstock

Check Your Battery

When the temperature drops, so does your car's battery power. So one of our best Winter driving tips is to check your battery before the colder months hit. New car batteries run between $50 and $200, but the peace of mind they provide during the colder months and winter driving are priceless. Check out our simple step-by-step 10-minute seasonal battery check-up so you know whether your battery is performing well.
3 / 10
Clear the Snow and Ice
l i g h t p o e t/Shutterstock

Clear the Snow and Ice

Before you go anywhere, clear the snow and ice from your car's windows, lights, hood and roof. And make sure your car's lights—both front and rear—are visible while winter driving and especially during icy road conditions. Here's how to replace automotive light bulbs you'd never think of until you need them.
4 / 10
Winter Driving Tips: Go Slow and Leave Space
lgumnova Irina/Shutterstock

Winter Driving Tips: Go Slow and Leave Space

Posted speed limits are for dry pavement and braking takes longer in slick icy roads conditions, so leave plenty of room for stopping. When roads are icy or snow-covered, leave at least a 10-second gap between you and the car in front of you. Changing front brake pads is simpler than replacing rear disc brakes so learn how to do it for yourself.
5 / 10
Watch Your Wipers
Sergio Foto/Shutterstock

Watch Your Wipers

You use your windshield wipers constantly during winter driving so make sure they're up for the job. And replace worn blades and be sure to keep windshield wiper fluid with de-icer in your vehicle's trunk so you're never stuck without. Learn how to change wiper blades in 3 steps.
6 / 10
Accelerate Slowly
evant/Shutterstock

Accelerate Slowly

Winter driving tips 101: Don't try to get moving in a hurry when there are snowy and icy roads. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method when you're struggling to gain traction while winter driving. Also, it's smart to accelerate slowly to avoid skids.
7 / 10
Correct a Slide
Aleksandrs Kobilanskis/Shutterstock

Correct a Slide

If you start to lose control on icy roads, it means you're going too fast for winter driving conditions. And if your vehicle begins to fishtail, turn your wheels in the same direction that the rear of the vehicle is sliding. Don't use your brakes to correct a slide. Also, when you regain traction, straighten out the steering wheel. Learn how to change power steering fluid quickly and easily and save the $55 shop charge.
8 / 10
Have an Emergency Kit

Have an Emergency Kit

Stock your vehicle with items that can help you in an emergency, such as a snow shovel, sand and/or kitty litter and an ice scraper. It's also a good idea to keep an emergency kit with items such as a hat and mittens, a flashlight, and flares. Or even an emergency triangle, blankets, any necessary medication, a car charger for your cell phone, water and a few non-perishable snacks.
9 / 10
Use Caution Around Snow Plows
Benoit Daoust/Shutterstock

Use Caution Around Snow Plows

Winter driving tips 101: Remember that snow plows make wide turns, throw snow and take up a lot of space on the road. Driving behind a snow plow is safe, but allow yourself plenty of room and never drive beside a snow plow for an extended period of time. These 13 snow blowing tips will help you maintain and operate your snow blower for maximum efficiency and safety.
10 / 10
What to Do in An Emergency
Olaf Naami/Shutterstock

What to Do in An Emergency

If you do end up stuck in a ditch while winter driving or on the side of the icy roads in need of help, stay with your car. And put out a reflective road triangle if you have one or tie a bright piece of fabric to your antenna if you have one. Keep your interior dome light turned on if it's dark outside. Run your vehicle in short spurts, just to stay warm and be sure to remove any snow from the exhaust pipe.

Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham lived through a major home renovation in 2019, knows the ups and downs of home improvement, and loves sharing tips with readers. A veteran journalist of both print and television, she’s won several awards for her writing and has covered everything from the environment and education to health care, politics and food. She’s written for several publications beyond newspapers including Bob Vila, Taste of Home and Minnesota Parent, and she currently writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column. Her memoir, Widowland, about the sudden loss of her husband, was published in 2022. She specializes in everything from home decor and design to lawn and garden, product reviews and pet care. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her tending to her garden (both vegetables and native plants), playing with her dog, watching sports with her family or getting some exercise. A native of Michigan, she currently lives in Minneapolis. An avid user of Instagram, you can follow her @RachBrougham.