How to Drive on Icy Roads: Essential Tips for Safe Winter Driving
Posted on May 24, 2025
Driving on icy roads is one of the most challenging aspects of winter, requiring heightened awareness and careful planning to avoid accidents. Slippery surfaces, sudden braking issues, and icy road conditions can turn even short trips into high-stakes journeys.
Every year, icy road accidents result in thousands of car crashes, with winter weather contributing to nearly 30% of all road incidents in Canada. These alarming statistics highlight the importance of proper preparation and safe driving practices.
Whether it’s mastering braking on icy roads, choosing the best tires for icy conditions, or learning techniques for navigating treacherous turns, staying safe begins with the right knowledge.
In this guide, we’ll share practical driving tips for icy roads to help you stay confident and secure, even in the harshest winter weather.
What Causes Icy Roads?
Icy roads are caused when the ground temperature drops below freezing, allowing water, sleet, or snow to freeze on the road surface. Factors like overnight cooling, freezing rain, and snowmelt refreezing can all contribute.
In rural areas, where the ground cools faster due to fewer buildings and heat sources, icy roads are more common. In urban areas, higher temperatures caused by heat stored in roads and buildings can reduce ice formation but may lead to sleet or slushy conditions instead.
Vehicle Preparation Before the Snow Drive
Properly preparing your vehicle for icy roads is crucial for safety. Here’s a simple checklist to get your car ready:
- Check Your Tires: Make sure your tires have adequate tread depth, and consider switching to winter tires for a better grip on icy roads.
- Inspect Your Brakes: Make sure your brakes are functioning properly, as stopping on ice requires optimal performance.
- Top-Up Fluids: Fill up your windshield washer fluid with a winter-grade solution, and check antifreeze levels to prevent freezing.
- Test Your Battery: Cold weather can drain your car battery, so confirm it’s fully charged and in good condition.
- Pack Emergency Supplies: Carry an ice scraper, snow brush, jumper cables, flashlight, blanket, and a small bag of sand or kitty litter for traction.
- Check Your Lights and Wipers: Ensure all lights work for visibility and replace worn wiper blades for effective snow and ice clearing.
Taking these steps ensures your car is ready to handle winter roads safely and reliably.
Route Planning Before the Journey
Planning your route ahead of time is essential when driving in icy conditions.
- Start by checking the weather forecast and road conditions for your entire route.
- Pay attention to any warnings about snow, ice, or freezing rain, and avoid traveling during severe weather if possible.
- Stick to main roads whenever you can, as they’re more likely to be plowed, salted, and well-lit.
- Plan alternative routes in case your primary one becomes unsafe or closed.
Additionally, let someone know your travel plans and expected arrival time, especially if you’ll be driving through rural or less-traveled areas. A well-planned route can make your journey safer and less stressful in winter conditions.
How to Drive on Icy Roads
Driving on icy roads requires extra care and a change in your usual driving habits. Follow these tips to stay safe:
1. Slow and Gentle Start-up
Begin driving slowly and gently to maintain control of your vehicle. Use low gears to reduce the chance of wheel spin and avoid sudden acceleration that could make your tires lose traction.
2. Use Smooth and Gradual Steering Movements
Keep your steering movements smooth and gradual to avoid skidding. Avoid sudden turns or lane changes and significantly increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react to slippery conditions.
3. Stay in Your Lane
Whenever possible, stick to your lane to minimize risks. Avoid changing lanes unnecessarily and steer clear of the road’s shoulder, where ice tends to accumulate. Never attempt to pass other vehicles when conditions are icy or slushy.
4. Drive at Reduced Speeds
Slow down to match the conditions of the road. Reduced speeds give you more time to react and help you maintain control on slippery surfaces, especially when visibility is low, or the road is uneven.
5. Slowly Accelerate and Decelerate
Always accelerate and decelerate gradually to prevent your tires from spinning or your vehicle from sliding. Avoid sudden stops or starts, as road conditions can change unexpectedly.
6. Stay Alert on Bridges and Slopes
Bridges and overpasses freeze faster than regular roads due to colder air circulating underneath them. Approach these areas with caution, driving slowly and steadily. Apply the same care when driving uphill to prevent sliding backward.
7. Make Full Use of Your Antilock Braking System (ABS)
If your vehicle is equipped with ABS, let it do its job during a stop. Press the brake pedal firmly and steadily without pumping it, allowing the system to prevent wheel lock-up and bring you to a controlled stop.
8. Maximize Visibility
Keep your windows and mirrors clear of ice and snow to ensure a clear view of the road. Use your headlights during the day to increase visibility for other drivers and improve your ability to see obstacles ahead.
What To Do If You Get Stuck in The Snow
Getting stuck in the snow can be frustrating, but knowing what to do can make all the difference. Follow these steps to get your vehicle free safely and effectively:
1. Understand Why You’re Stuck
Most vehicles get stuck because they lose traction on snow and ice, preventing the tires from gripping the road. Identifying the issue is your first step toward a solution.
2. Avoid Spinning Your Wheels
If your wheels start spinning, stop pressing the gas. Accelerating further will only make it harder to regain traction and could damage your tires.
3. Check and Clear Your Exhaust Pipe
Ensure your tailpipe is free of snow or ice. A blocked exhaust can cause carbon monoxide to seep into the car, posing a serious safety risk.
4. Remove Snow Around Your Tires
Clear snow and ice from around and underneath your tires with a shovel. If snow is packed under the chassis, remove that too to allow your tires to grip the pavement.
5. Use the Right Gear for Traction
For manual cars, shift into second gear before attempting to drive out. Lower gears reduce wheel spin and improve your chances of gaining traction.
6. Add Traction with Kitty Litter or Floor Mats
If clearing the snow isn't enough, try placing kitty litter, sand, or even your car’s floor mats under the tires to provide extra traction and help get you moving.
7. Melt Ice with Salt or Alternatives
Sprinkle rock salt under your tires to melt ice. In a pinch, table salt, windshield washer fluid, or antifreeze can work, but use caution when using antifreeze to protect pets and the environment.
8. Reduce Tire Pressure for Better Grip
Letting a small amount of air out of your tires can increase their surface area and improve traction. Just be careful not to deflate them too much if you don’t have a pump nearby.
9. Rock Your Car to Gain Momentum
Shift gently between forward and reverse to create momentum and free your car. Be cautious, as excessive force can strain your transmission.
10. Adjust Your Front Wheels
For front-wheel-drive vehicles, turn the steering wheel back and forth to shift the tires’ contact points. This small movement might find a spot with better traction.
If all else fails, call for roadside assistance for professional help. Staying calm and patient can help you navigate the situation safely.
Stay Safe This Winter with Expert Care from CarHub
Icy road conditions can be unpredictable and dangerous, but with the right preparation and driving techniques, you can navigate winter roads with confidence. Slow down, stay alert, and be ready to adapt to changing conditions to ensure a safe journey.
At CarHub Caledon Chrysler, we’re committed to keeping you safe on the road year-round. From winter driving tips to expert vehicle care, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Visit our blog for more helpful advice, or stop by for a check-up to ensure your car is winter-ready. Drive safely—and let CarHub help you handle the season like a pro!