Driving in the snow: complete guideSnow is one of the trickiest weather conditions to drive in, and requires confidence and knowledge. Read on for our complete guide to driving in the white stuff.

Drive safely in snow and ice

1. Check for signs of ice before driving – most modern cars have ice warning lights and temperature gauges. Anything below four degrees centigrade means ice is likely

2. If conditions are particularly bad then delay your journey and only drive if absolutely necessary

3. Stopping distances can be ten times longer in snow, so keep manoeuvres gentle and keep to major roads which are more likely to have been gritted

4. Tyres suddenly becoming quiet can indicate the car is driving on ice, so take care and slow down, but don’t apply the brakes sharply or try and change direction quickly

5. Watch out for slow-moving salt spreaders and snow ploughs – avoid overtaking quickly as the grit can chip the car’s paintwork

6. Avoid accelerating hard in snow as this can cause the wheels to dig into the snow

7. Put the car into the highest gear possible and lightly manoeuvre the car back and forth to slowly creep out of the snow

Avoiding skidding

Skidding is often caused by a combination of poor weather conditions and speeding.

• Leave plenty of room between you and the car in front
• Drive slowly and carefully
• Brake steadily before approaching a corner, and well in advance
• Avoid over-steering and accelerating suddenly mid-turn

If the vehicle loses grip while turning, press the clutch pedal and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. Avoid braking suddenly – this can lock the wheels and prolong the skid.

Some new cars feature safety aids, such as anti lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which can reduce the effect of a skid.

Aquaplaning is another type of skid which occurs when the car makes contact with a layer of water or icy slush too fast, causing the tyres to skim across the water rather than the road.

If the car aquaplanes, try not to brake hard or steer suddenly. Let the car slow itself, or use engine braking, to reduce speed and regain grip.

What to do if you get caught in a snowdrift

If your car gets stuck in snow and you can’t move it, stay in the car, leave the engine running and call for help unless help is visible nearby.

Clear snow away from the exhaust and dig away snow from the tyres and gently rock the car back and forth to gain grip. If that doesn’t work, use car mats, bits of wood or anything else nearby and wedge under the tyres to gain grip. Snow socks can provide extra traction in the snow, they need to be fitted when stationairy to the driven wheels and can be used at speeds up to 30mph.

Driving on ice

Drive gently in a higher gear to avoid wheelspin, and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If the car starts to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and avoid braking.

If braking is necessary, pump the brakes gently – don’t slam them hard. If your car is equipped with ABS (most new cars are) use it to your advantage. Try to stop in a safe place and call for help.

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