If you regularly drive in wintry conditions, your safety depends on how well your tires grip the road. Your all-season tires may be driven on year-round, but they're likely not the best choice for snow and ice.
Create a safer driving experience with the right winter tires for your vehicle. Not sure how to choose winter tires? Read up on the types of winter tires:
Whether you're just now learning how to drive in snow and ice or you're a well-seasoned winter driver, choosing the right winter tires can make all the difference in maintaining vehicle control — and staying safe — on the road. Not sure how to select the best tires for your vehicle, region, and driving habits? Your nearby authorized Bridgestone tire center is ready to help with expert advice.
Even with the best winter tires, driving in severe winter weather is inherently dangerous. Before you hit the road, consider whether your trip is essential. Here are a few preparatory winter driving tips that can help you be safe if you must drive.
If you choose to have winter tires installed, don't stop there with your winter car prep. Check out our steps for how to winterize your car so you'll be prepared for anything the road brings your way.
As temperatures fluctuate around 32℉, snow and ice are likely to melt on the roadway or refreeze as black ice, leading to slicker conditions than packed snow. Check your local weather forecast before you get behind the wheel and adjust your driving behaviors accordingly in the event of significant temperature changes.
If possible, find an empty stretch of road close to your home where you can test out acceleration, braking, and steering before you set out on a long drive in winter weather. You may find that you'd rather not drive after all. It's far better to discover that conditions are questionable when you're close to home instead of driving miles away only to find out that road conditions aren't as favorable as you'd hoped.
Changing temperatures can affect your tires' ability to grip the road's surface. Listen to the pros and know what to expect when the thermometer shifts.
When it's time to hit the road in wintry weather conditions, there's one goal: maintain control of the vehicle. Jerking movements or sudden speed changes can cause a loss of traction, so follow these tips for how to drive in snow without losing grip on the road.
It's easier to stop when you're driving at low speeds, and for this reason, you should always reduce your speed significantly when driving on snow-covered roads. Snow can make braking and accelerating feel entirely different to you, the driver, and keeping your pace in check is the best way to ensure you'll have enough time to stop safely. Additionally, higher speeds can lead to diminished tire traction, increasing your risk of skids (check out the next section on how to steer in snow for more info on skidding).
One way to keep your speed under control is to use a lower gear on your vehicle's transmission. Rather than using the brakes to slow down from a too-high speed, keep your car in low gear to prevent the engine from reaching higher speeds in the first place. Here are a few things to keep in mind for low-gear driving in winter weather.
No matter what type of transmission your vehicle has, loss of traction is most likely to occur when you're accelerating, braking, or turning. Again, be sure to keep your speed changes gradual and smooth, and read on to learn how to correct loss of traction when turning.
Just as acceleration and braking should be gentle and gradual, steering should be slow and smooth. Jerky movements are a recipe for skids. When it comes to learning how to drive in snow and ice, it's vital that you can identify and correct two common steering problems: oversteer and understeer.
Oversteer is a rear-wheel skid. When you're turning too fast on snow or ice, your vehicle's weight shifts onto the front tires, and the rear tires lose grip. The car's rear will swing toward the outside of the turn rather than the direction you're steering.
Understeer is a front-wheel skid. When your front tires lose grip, your steering motions won't affect the direction of your car—it will just keep moving in its current direction.
Whether your vehicle has front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, the type of drivetrain makes a difference in how you should approach winter driving. Learn how to drive in snow and ice most effectively by diving deeper into your drivetrain.
Vehicles with front-wheel drive typically have better traction in snow and ice than rear-wheel drive vehicles. In front-wheel drive vehicles, the front of the car carries more weight than the back, making it easier to maintain traction and keep your vehicle moving in the desired direction. Still, reduce your speed in winter weather, and be careful not to make too many steering motions as you drive.
While it's true that rear-wheel drive vehicles may make it harder to maintain traction due to their rear-heavy weight distribution, it's not impossible to safely drive in snow with RWD. Take things slow, particularly when you're turning your vehicle, to prevent fishtailing and a loss of control.
Additionally, you can load up your rear cargo area with heavy bags of sand or cat litter to keep more weight bearing down your rear tires and thus increase their traction. Ultimately, though, winter tires are one of the best ways to increase traction when driving a RWD car in snow or ice.
Ready to equip your car, truck, SUV, or minivan with best-in-class winter tires? Talk to a tire pro today. Bridgestone winter and snow tires are right around the corner. Gear up so you can get out and drive safe! Shop Bridgestone tires near you.