Everything You Need To Know About Driving In The Snow

How To Drive In Snow, And How Winter Tires Work
Should You Buy Winter Tires? - Sponsored by Progressive

Driving in the snow results in less grip, which ultimately means you need to change your driving behaviors to make sure you maintain control of the vehicle. This video explores the ideas of different driving conditions, and how each of these driving conditions affect the overall grip of a vehicle. We'll also look at how stopping distances and cornering speeds will be changed by various road conditions, such as dry, wet, snow, or ice. We'll discuss how different tire types can alter your vehicle's performance in snow and ice conditions, and also discuss driving tips to help maintain control of your vehicle when weather conditions are poor.

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[JimPekarek]

Also, for the love of god, don't hit the brakes going around corners in the snow and ice. If you need to slow down, do it BEFORE you turn. Every winter in Michigan I'd see dozens of people fail at this and end up spinning out into a ditch or the guardrail.

[gabrielv]

1. Put it in 1st
2. Rev up to Redline
3. Release clutch
4. POWAAAAHHHH

[shamoy]

Where can I buy larger traction circles for my car?

[Wiikendzgoodmix]

In Sweden we get to spend a few hours driving on ice to try stopping, swerving etc to get a feeling for how the car reacts in slippery conditions aswell as some theory about it.
You wont get a license here unless you do this course.

[JaniLaaksonen]

Greetings from Finland. I would say one thing you should do is lose the traction on purpose. Not to crash into something, but to test the grip level SAFELY. So maybe you gain that knowledge already trying to leave your parking spot and having a little wheel spin non-purpously. But if you don't I'd suggest to get some momentum on the road and at a safe place break until you lock the tires. You will get a feel on HOW slippery the road is. The funny thing is that while dry and wet road surfaces have pretty constant amounts of traction, in snow the traction may vary wildly so you need to test it. Also practice to lose the control. This needs to be done also safely and in closed area for it to be legal (or in a parking lot and hope that cops won't see you). It's important to know how it feels when you lose the control and to learn to get it back (counter steering etc). This also helps not to panic if it happens for real. Pro tips: as in the video, slow smooth inputs and especially when accelerating from full stop short shift to lower the torque; remember that the traction may vary a lot also locally (within meters); and remember that someone else might not be expert in snow so keep your distance to other drivers.

[somebodys]

Other points from a Canadian:
- clearance between bottom of vehicle and the ground sometimes matters, but that's a vehicle decision more than a driving decision
- adding weight to the vehicle (by having more stuff in it, for instance) can enlarge the traction circle...not sure by how much though
- intersections where cars must stop tend to develop ice because exhaust gases melt snow, which then refreezes

[brucehearn]

All us Gulf Coast residents thank you for this glimpse into a totally alien environment.

[BenjaminCronce]

Don't assume the person in front of you has the same breaking ability. You might be on ice, but they may hit a dry patch and stop on a dime. Opposite is true. If you stop unexpectedly fast, make sure the person behind you isn't about to ram you. If you can, move a bit ahead, allowing them to get to the dry patch.

[LMacNeill]

One thing you didn't mention -- if you have, say, 0.3G of grip in snow, that's a *total* amount of grip available to you. It is *split* between acceleration/deceleration and cornering. If you are *only* cornering -- with absolutely *no* acceleration or braking, then and only then do you get that full 0.3G to help you make that turn. If you are accelerating or braking *at all, * then your cornering grip is reduced by however much grip is being used by that acceleration or braking.

It's why anti-lock brakes make you feel like you're "speeding up" when you turn while braking hard. The system is calibrated to automatically assume steering is more important than braking, so it reduces braking force to let the steering happen without sliding or locking up the wheels.

[Prairielander]

I remember driving in the mountains in British Columbia early in the morning when it was dark out. There was ice and blowing snow and I was going 60 km/h then some pickup truck passed me then further up the road he slipped around a bend and had crashed. People really just need to slowdown in winter. Even having a 4x4 with winter tires and ground clearance you can still crash trying to go fast.

Maybe you will have to leave earlier for work. Maybe you might be late. But it is better than getting killed over being inpatient.

[joematthews]

That Forza telemetry now makes sense, thanks!

[shamoy]

Nice explanation of winter driving. Living in Wisconsin I got my winter driving skills by doing donuts on frozen lakes or snow covered parking lots.

[stffn]

Tips from a snow driver: Don't drive on old winter tires. Switch every fourth season, even if the tires have been in storage most of the time. (The tire hardens over time, which reduces your grip)

Driving on new studded tires? Drive slow the first 200 miles or so. No hard breaking, hard accelerations or turns. The studs may not set in a right angled position if you drive them too hard when "breaking them in".

Check your wear pattern regularly. You should have a minimum of 3-4mm. Don't wear the tires down to the minimum markings.

If the roads are icy - don't trust the tires. Just drive really really carefully. Even if you're on studded tires. If your tires aren't studded - use an alternative form of transportation if you can. Especially if you're not comfortable driving in hazardous winter conditions. Where I live, winter lasts for about half a year. I drive like a priest when it is icy. The stopping distance is ridiculous, even at very low speeds.

Four wheel drive doesn't help at all when it comes to stopping distance. You have to be equally careful in a 4wd, rwd or fwd.

[kamtheclam]

Who else in Texas is watching for tomorrow?

[kalleguld]

Jason: You can't get stuck if you don't stop. *Taps forehead*

[noahhernandez]

This video should be mandatory to watch for all the Californians moving to Colorado.

[cliffp.]

As a professional driver with a zero crash record of many years I am impressed with your concise and easy to understand tutorial.

[jarekpszuk]

4:12 "you may drive with 3-4 seconds" i instantly remembered my daily commute when I sometimes leave less than 2 seconds and every driver behind me thinks it's a great idea to overtake and cut me off. In any condition. Lovely.

[anthonyholroyd]

One of the best pieces of advice I got for winter driving was from my grandfather - 'drive like there's a glass of fine wine on the bonnet' - you're gonna be careful with that bugger! Accelerating, braking & cornering.

[hugolopez]

I manage a group of drivers for my Company's pharmacy. I have recently experienced 4 car accidents this Winter Season 2018 - 2019, and I have to say; this video has helped tremendously in my employees understanding the science of Winter driving profoundly. Thank you for putting this together!