How to drive in the snow like a pro

Wednesday, 31 July 2019

Racing driver and expert instructor Jordi Gene talks us through the fundamentals of snow and ice driving.

Snow is so pretty. But the adverse weather conditions, poor visibility and very low temperatures that come with it can dramatically increase the chance of an accident.

There are some simple measures you can to help stay safe when driving on snow. The following come courtesy of professional racing driver (for Spanish brand Seat) and expert instructor Jordi Gene.

You must anticipate

It's not always easy to see ahead, but try and anticipate as much as possible.

According to Gene, this the golden rule: 'Anticipate what's ahead and take it easy - that's the basic rule for driving in harsh conditions.'

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Smooth driving will mean you're less likely to be caught out by black ice and unexpectedly sharp corners.

It's the golden rule for driving in general, actually: look a long way down the road and you'll be ready for whatever problems pop up.

Steep roads

Don't use fog lights unless it's very poor visibility - they are are bright and can dazzle.

Using the engine to brake is fundamental. This means driving downhill in low gears, which will help you stay in control and takes a lighter toll on the brakes.

This is especially important in freezing temperatures, when cars can lose grip more easily.

If you get stuck, accelerate as gently as possible to get some traction.

Be smooth

Lift your wipers when parked so they don't freeze in a cold snap.

Stay calm and don't make sudden manoeuvres.

When driving on snow, pay careful attention to dark patches on the road where there could be black ice: 'You have to turn the wheel gently and lightly step on the brake until you've passed the ice patch and the wheels begin to gain grip again.'

Fog lights

Only use the fog lights in extreme conditions: their use should be restricted to when visibility is poor.

Fog lights deliver added brightness and are useful during heavy rain or in dense fog, however 'they can dazzle oncoming traffic if used incorrectly,' says Gene.

So you're stuck

In extreme cases when you get stuck, it's especially important to maintain that smoothness. Accelerate very gently to get as much traction as possible: too much throttle will make the wheels spin and potentiall get you even further into trouble.

Parking on snow or ice

Gene advises putting the car in P-for-park as normal if the car is automatic, and either in neutral or first gear if it's a manual.

He recommends 'putting the wiper blades up so they don't stick to the windscreen during a snowfall or if the temperature falls sharply.'