These are our tips for driving in the snow

Winter is approaching again and the first flakes of snow have already fallen. It is icy cold outside, so the snow will probably not be long in coming. In this weather it is important that you travel safely on the road. That is why we would like to share our tips for driving in the snow with you.

Custom speed

One of the most important tips we can give you for driving in snow is to adjust your driving speed to the conditions. Even if there is no snow, the roads can still be very slippery. With an adjusted speed, you can also bring your car to a good stop in this slippery condition.

Keep distance

Also keep more distance from the car in front. If it suddenly has to brake, you can still stop in time, even on slippery roads. On slippery roads, you have a longer braking distance and therefore need more time to stop your car. Also pay attention when merging. Do this well in advance and not at the last moment.

Engine braking

If you have to brake on slippery surfaces, it is best to shift the engine down to a lower gear. If you have an anti-lock braking system, you do this by pressing both the brake and the clutch. You may then hear strange noises or feel the brake pedal vibrate. The system then ensures that your wheels can still turn and that you can steer.

Braking in corners

Braking in bends is not recommended, so avoid this as much as possible. In bends, it is best to let go of the gas until you are out of the bend. Then you can accelerate again. Do not pull on your steering wheel, but let the car glide over the road and steer in the right direction.

Pay attention to other road users

Look ahead of you so that you can react in time to what other drivers are doing. If you are distracted in this weather and then have to react to the new traffic situation, nasty accidents can happen. Always look where you want to go. Even if you skid, you must continue to look and steer in the direction you want to go.

What to do in case of skidding?

If the back of your car is sliding a little, you can give it a little gas with a front-wheel drive car. This will pull the car straight if you have winter tires or snow chains on your car. If you really get into a skid, this is not a good idea. Here are a few handy tips for driving in the snow during a skid:

• Never brake hard
• Never accelerate too much
• If your rear wheel slips, counter-steer
• If your front wheel is slipping, steer in the direction that you are sliding
• Look in the direction you want to go

Driving style

When you are standing still and you have to drive away in snow or on slippery surfaces, you should not accelerate too much and let the clutch out gently. If this does not work, drive away in second gear. Also use the existing car tyre tracks. Drive in the car tracks in front of you and steer well. If there are no tyre tracks visible yet, drive in fresh and loose snow. In powdery snow you have more grip on the road than in compacted snow. Read more about liability at home and abroad when driving without winter tires in this article.

Prepare your car for use

You can't get going right away in winter temperatures. Always remove the snow from your car roof before you set off. At high speeds, the snow can fly off your roof and pose a danger to the drivers behind you. Clean your windows thoroughly so that you have a full view of the road. You can also prepare your car for winter as a preventative measure. For example, make sure you have enough windscreen washer fluid and treat the rubbers of your car. Here you can read how to prepare your car for winter.

Winter tires

One of the most basic tips for driving in the snow is winter tires. In many places in Europe, these tires are even mandatory. However, this is no guarantee against slippery conditions. Even with winter tires on your car, you should drive carefully. The braking distance on snow is better with winter tires than with summer tires. You maintain better grip on the road and after a stop, you can get going again more easily. Read here about the additional risks of driving in the snow with summer tires.

Correct tire pressure

However, fitting winter tyres has no effect if you do not also check the tyre pressure. If the temperature drops, the tyre pressure also decreases. In short, you should adjust this pressure in the winter, because this is safer and saves fuel. If you get stuck in the snow, low tyre pressure actually helps. Read about this and more in our blog about getting your car out of the snow. 

Automatic driving

Nowadays, many people drive automatics instead of traditional manual cars. Driving an automatic in snow is a lot harder, because you don't feel if you have grip with the road surface. Read our tips about driving an automatic in the snow in this blog.