How to Drive an Automatic Car in Snow

Driving hazards can range from poor road conditions to harsh weather and vehicles that have not been properly serviced. While a driver cannot control the first two hazards, he can control how prepared his vehicle is to drive in the snow. Added to this process, he can also learn how to better control his car on icy roads. For drivers with an automatic car, there are some key instructions that will make driving in snow a little easier.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 
   Check Windshield Wipers

   Have your car serviced before the winter season begins. Request preventative maintenance and have the battery, windshield wipers and tires checked for necessary repairs.

2. Buy snow tires. Drive the automatic car slowly, applying light pressure to the brake pedal when driving in the snow. If the car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, the anti-lock brake system will allow you to regain steering control if the brake fails.

3. Understand how to get out of a skid. If your automatic car loses control and starts to spin or skid across a sheet of ice, remove your foot from both the brake and gas pedals. While instinct may propel you to press down on the brake pedal, doing so will cause the car to spin more rapidly and cause you to lose greater control of the car. Instead, turn the steering wheel toward the direction the car is spinning and wait until the car slows to regain control of the vehicle.

4. Use defensive driving techniques and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles on the road. Always drive 5 to 10 MPH slower than the recommended speed limit and start to brake at least 200 meters before approaching a traffic light that is transitioning from yellow to red or when approaching a stop sign. It is best to drive through a yellow light that is changing, than to quickly press on the brake pedal and possibly send the car out of control.

5. Gain control of the vehicle if it begins to slip or continue moving while stopped. For an automatic transmission, always change the selector lever to the neutral position. This will allow the car to regain control and push out of the slippery section of road and continue on.

Tips & Warnings

• Always coast down steep hills and proceed with caution.
• This instruction cannot guarantee that an accident does not occur.