How to Drive in Snowy Weather?
3 Answers
Methods for driving in snowy weather are: 1. After ignition, gently press the accelerator to avoid wheel spin; 2. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front; 3. When starting the vehicle on snow or driving up an icy slope, use a low gear, and switch gears according to road conditions after the vehicle stabilizes. Precautions for driving in snowy weather include: 1. Warming up and cleaning the car: To allow the engine oil to lubricate better for the engine to reach an optimal state, and to increase the water temperature to ensure better use of the heating system inside the car; 2. Slow down: Driving slowly in snowy weather is essential to avoid accidents; 3. Avoid sudden braking: Sudden braking is highly discouraged when driving in snow as it can easily lead to skidding or rear-end collisions.
As a driver who frequently drives in the northern regions, the most important things during snowy conditions are slowness and stability. I always switch to winter tires in advance because regular tires simply can't grip on icy roads. When starting off, you need to be especially gentle, using second gear to move slowly, otherwise the wheels can easily spin. Maintaining a safe distance is also crucial; I usually leave about three times the normal distance, so even if the car in front brakes suddenly, there's enough time to react. When approaching a turn, slow down early and steer the wheel very smoothly to avoid sudden turns that could cause skidding. Learn to use intermittent braking rather than slamming on the brakes, which helps prevent losing control of the vehicle. Inside the car, I also keep an emergency kit, including a shovel, snow chains, and a thermal blanket, so I won't panic if I get stuck in the snow.
I drive an SUV, and even though it has higher ground clearance, I still drive cautiously in snowy conditions. Before heading out, I check real-time traffic on my phone to avoid heavily icy roads. I turn off the auto start-stop feature while driving, as restarting can easily cause skidding. After activating the snow mode, the transmission response becomes smoother. For visibility, I set the wipers to a faster speed to promptly clear slush off the windshield. On long downhill stretches, I switch to manual mode and shift to a lower gear, letting the engine control the speed—much safer than constant braking. I'm extra careful when crossing bridges, as they usually freeze first. If the snow is too heavy to see the road clearly, I turn on the hazard lights and pull over—safety always comes first.
