Safety Tips for Winter Driving

Winter weather takes many interesting forms. In Southern California, it brings rain; in Florida, it brings tourists. But in the mountains or above the Mason Dixon Line, it means something entirely different. Those who live in severe winter areas usually have familiar tactics to deal with those mornings when another 18 inches of snow has fallen. If you're a deep-snow novice, though, and plan to head due north or into the mountains for a ski vacation, read carefully. That picture postcard of freshly driven snow laying like a pure white comforter over the landscape can be ugly if you're not used to it. Consider the following as an automotive primer on real winter.

Forecast Ahead
First word of caution: Pay close attention to weather forecasts—either on the local news or transportation departments or the Internet. Those headed to the mountains need to identify an accurate weather source for the immediate area. The weather at 8,000 feet is often very different than the weather a short drive down from that altitude.


If you need to get moving the morning following a serious snowstorm, develop a pre-storm strategy. Hopefully you have a snow blower and the time to spend clearing an exit lane for your vehicle. Otherwise, park at the base of the driveway, just out of the path of the snowplow. A good mountain snowfall can nearly obscure your vehicle.


Most vehicles, when properly prepared for the weather, won't suffer. However, one thing to consider is that the bright, sunny day that often follows heavy snows can encase the vehicle in ice as the layer of snow next to the car melts, then freezes back up as the sun drops quickly in the evening. The solution is to dig the vehicle out of its snowy tomb by mid-morning. New, dry snow is a lot lighter per shovel-full than aging wet snow.


Starting the vehicle's engine and defroster, as soon as you've got the snow shoveled away from the doors, will give you a head start on your exit. Just make sure the snow is cleared away from the exhaust pipe.