Tips on how to drive on snowy/icy streets?

Question

I just recently moved from Florida to Indiana and it's quite the drastic change. I'm going to drive my boyfriend's truck soon and I would love some tips on how to drive safely if it's snowing outside. Also, what do I do if I see ice on the road or if I get caught in the middle of a snowstorm? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi...well can you tell us a little more about the truck?  Is it a stick or automatic?  Does it have anti-lock brakes...believe it or not, these questions make a  big diffference in how you drive the truck in snow.

Answer 2

Priority #1 slow down just because the speed limit is 55 you can leave 5 minutes earlier and drive at 40   #2 Good snow tires whats $500 if it keeps you from having a even a minor fender bender and having you're insurance rates skyrocket  #3 don't slam on you're brakes in a skid or try to combat a skid on slippery roads instead feather the brake pedal turn into the skid and you will regain control it will seem scary at first but it always works good luck

Answer 3

Go slow,  but be careful on freeways. Drive your boyfriends truck in the winters. Dont use small little tinker toy cars. Keep safe, be warm. If you get caught in a snow storm, dont rush home...paste yourself..stay at the speed limit. If you see ice on the road (black ice) go slowly over it, definitely dont speed over the patch of ice. Drive safely. And try not to be on the rodes during a snow storm!

-be safe

-Hazel

Answer 4

Don't.

Answer 5

Have you ever driven a boat?  There is a lot similar between driving in snow and ice and driving a boat or jetski.  You cannot do anything fast--you don't accelerate fast, you don't break fast, you don't drive fast.  This goes for whether there is snow on the ground when you leave home or you encounter a snow storm.  Just be slow and patient and safe.

A good idea might be to have your BF take you to a big empty parking lot when it snows and just let you get the feel for driving in the snow.  You can drive around and around and practice steering, accelerating and braking in a safe environment.  

The Weather Channel's website has some good suggestions at this link:  http://www.weather.com/activities/drivin...

Good luck and stay safe!

Answer 6

Always drive slow, so that you can brake easier should you have to. Be very watchful of what is ahead of you...cars pulled over for some reason. You should never follow the cars in front of you to close, but in the winter time, never follow to closely. You never know when they are going to brake and you want to be ready. Make sure snow is off of all of your windows so that your vision is not obstructed. Warm your vehicle before driving, if you can. Better for the vehicle, not to mention gets the heat going. Have your vehicle under control before you come to a stop sign. Know where you are going to turn so that you can put the proper turn signals on ahead of time for the person behind you. Throw a blanket and flash light, extra gloves and brush in the back. Don't be afraid to drive in snow. Good luck.

Answer 7

Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

Keep your lights and windshield clean.

Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

Take your foot off the accelerator.

Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.

If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.

If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse -- this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.

As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.

Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.

Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.

Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first -- it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Answer 8

The main thing to do is avoid any sudden changes in direction or speed. Once you lose traction you will be in a skid that you will need to steer out of before you hit something or go off the road.

My best advice is to go out to a large empty parking lot and practice as soon as the roads start to get bad. Drive at a slow speed and slam on your brakes. See if the truck starts to skid and then try to regain control by straightening the wheels  to get them rolling again. Try the same thing with less braking force to see how long it takes to come to a stop. Try turns also and see what it takes to keep control. The practice will give you experience and confidence for road driving under those conditions.

Also remember if the truck has ABS you need to hold down the pedal to have it help you stop. If it doesn't you need to pump the brakes to stop.

Answer 9

drive slowly and give extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you,and  be very gentle when braking and give yourself plenty of time to stop,and  when turning be smooth don't jerk on the wheel ,so drive safe out there !

Answer 10

slow, stay off the brakes when turning and if you start sliding take foot off the brakes.  steer into a skid, I recomend staying home.  and a litte side note.....don't kid yourself and don't let any idiot say if its 4 wheel drive you'll be fine....4wd is for traction....they all stop the same and that is not much on ice so keep it slow.   I

Answer 11

My best advice is to try to stay calm.  Use as little force on the gas or breaks as possible.  If you can, have him drive you to a parking lot when it's been snowing so you can feel what it's like.  You have to be sensitive to the slipping and sliding to know if you need to apply breaks or gas.  Unfortunately, it's more intuition than anything I think.  Intuition and caution!  If you do slide, don't jerk the wheel in the other direction, try to go with it a bit and turn out of it slowly.  Slow, slow, slow!

Perhaps not the most helpful answer you'll get, but I tried!  I've never had a problem and I DON'T just sit in the house if it snows.

Answer 12

wow drive slow and you will learn also keep off the brakes when turning

Answer 13

have some one take you to a big empty parking lot.Drive the truck around there so you can see how it handles and stops on slick roads. When driving on slick roads leave plenty of room between you and the car ahead of you,allow plenty of stopping space,go slow,and don't slam on the breaks to stop. Slowly apply them. Good luck you are in for a real experience.

Answer 14

keep in a low gear and constant speed,if you do come onto ice,then try not to brake,but drive through it,using your engine to slow you down,just by easing off on the pedal,and keep way back from other vehicles and put your head lights on,in storm conditions,this is for you to be seen by others,always carry a phone,and even have a hot drink with you for emergencies,also  , have a spade in the back for digging out ,if you do get stuck,then putting branches,twigs etc under the wheels to get a grip for pulling away