How to drive safely on icy roads

Knowing how to drive on icy roads is an important part of driving safely in winter. Prepare in advance, check your tires and move slowly on the ice.

One of the scariest aspects of owning a car is driving in adverse weather conditions. No matter how new your car is, how good the safety features are, and how many miles you have safely driven behind the wheel, chances are that you will feel at least a little uncomfortable when the weather turns bad. And there is no worse weather for drivers than ice, which can be hard to see and very unpredictable.

Icy roads are difficult to drive on for several reasons, but primarily because they make roads slippery and limit tire grip. As long as you take the right precautions, you can be a very safe driver on the ice. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case for your fellow drivers, so when it's very cold outside, it's safer to stay home as long as possible. However, if you follow these guidelines, you will have nothing to worry about when driving on icy roads.

Part 1 of 3: Prepare ahead of time

Step 1: Give yourself enough time. Go to places early so you have plenty of time.

One of the biggest dangers for drivers is being late. When people are late, they rush, and rushing is the worst thing you can do while driving. You should always give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going, but this is especially true on icy roads when it's especially dangerous to rush.

Icy roads are also more likely to be stopped by accidents or road closures, so you never know when you might be delayed on the road.

• A warning: If you forget to give yourself extra time when driving on icy roads, try to communicate wherever you are going that you will be late so you don't have to rush on slippery roads.

Step 2: Warm up the car. Let the car warm up for at least five minutes before driving.

If the roads are icy, then the temperature was low enough to freeze everything. These things include aspects of your vehicle. While your car will still run in freezing weather, frozen brakes, lines, and pumps will be less effective.

Turn on the car at least five minutes before driving. This will give the car enough time to warm up so it can perform properly and safely while driving.

Step 3: Scrape off the ice. Scrape off any ice that may be affecting your visibility.

While you're waiting for your car to warm up, scrape off the ice. Ice on the windshield, windows and side mirrors can reduce visibility while driving.

Step 4: Stick to the Main Roads. Use only popular roads whenever possible.

When the roads are icy, it's not the time to drive down your favorite country road. Instead, you want to use main roads that have a decent number of drivers.

On roads with a lot of drivers, snowplows or salt trucks are much more common, making driving on them much safer. Even if they are not cleared and not salted, the ice on these roads will be less severe because the heat from other vehicles will begin to melt it.

In the event that you lose control of your vehicle and slide off the road, you will want to be on a popular road so that someone can see you and be able to help you.

Step 5: Assemble the emergency kit. Make sure your car has an emergency kit.

You don't want to be stuck helplessly in freezing weather, so don't leave your house unless you have a good emergency kit in your car. It's especially important to pack your jumper cables so that if your car breaks down and can't provide you with heat, you can start it up again as soon as possible.

In addition to the emergency kit, you should never drive on icy roads without a mobile phone. Remember that even if you don't have cell service, your phone must be able to receive calls from emergency networks so that you can dial 911 if you have an accident or break down.

• Functions: In addition to the standard emergency kit, it is recommended to keep a blanket in the trunk of the car in case of bad weather.

Part 2 of 3: Get your car ready for the ice

Step 1: Pay Attention to Your Tires. Always make sure your tires are ready for ice.

When you're driving on ice, tires are the most important part of your vehicle. Before driving on ice, make sure your tires are either new or like new. They should always have plenty of tread in cold weather, which you can check by seeing if the tread covers Lincoln's head for a penny.

If you experience a lot of ice on the roads where you live, you should consider getting winter tires or maybe even snow chains.

• Functions: When the roads are icy, it's especially important to make sure your tires are always properly inflated. Tires deflate naturally in cold weather, so check your tires before every ride on icy roads.

Step 2 Regular Maintenance. Be sure to carry out scheduled maintenance and checks on your vehicle.

A broken vehicle on icy roads is even more dangerous than on dry roads. Be sure to get regular safety checks from a reputable mechanic like AvtoTachki.

Part 3 of 3: Drive Carefully

Step 1: slow down. Move at a much slower pace than usual.

On icy roads it is easy to lose control of your vehicle. The faster you drive when you lose control, the more danger you are in. Always drive low and slowly when roads are icy to minimize any hazards.

In addition to driving at a slower speed, avoid sudden acceleration. Fast acceleration makes it harder for the tires to grip the road and therefore increases the impact of the ice.

• Functions: A good rule of thumb for driving on ice is to drive at half speed. However, if this seems uncomfortable or unsafe, you should drive at a slower speed.

Step 2: Avoid hitting the brakes. Don't hit the brakes when you need to stop.

It seems counterintuitive, but you don't want to hit the brakes when driving on ice. If you do this, your brakes will lock up and slide over the ice instead of slowing your car down.

If your car is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), then you will be better equipped to brake on ice, but in general you should pump the brakes, not hit them.

Step 3: Don't overdo it. Try to avoid over-correcting if you lose control.

A large number of icy accidents are the fault of drivers who are trying to correct the situation. When your car starts to slip, it is natural to turn the steering wheel sharply the other way. Unfortunately, this can often cause your vehicle to wobble and skid violently.

If you feel like your car is sliding in one direction, apply the brakes and turn slightly in the other direction. The most important rule of driving on icy roads is to never push yourself if you are uncomfortable. If you feel unsafe while driving on an icy road, just stop and find a safer way to get where you are going. If you feel safe and follow these tips, you should have no problem driving on icy roads. If you have any questions about driving on ice, be sure to ask your mechanic for some helpful advice.