Winter driving

Plain guides for winter car prep, snow and ice, and what to do if you get stuck

Snow, ice and cold change how your car starts, steers and stops. This page brings together our guides for getting your car ready, driving on slick roads and staying safe if you get stuck. Employers and road agencies will find guides here too.

Use the On this page menu to jump to a topic. If you are stuck and in danger, call 911.

Get your car ready for winter

A few checks before the first storm can prevent a breakdown in the cold. Winter tires, a strong battery, good wipers and clear windows all help you start, see and stop.

Start hereDedicated winter tires: when they help, the snowflake symbol and why you fit all fourPick, fit, check and store winter tires, and learn what they cannot do on iceRead the guideBattery testers and maintainers: how to test your battery and keep it ready for winterLearn to test a car battery, keep a parked car charged and jump start safelyRead the guideWiper blades and washer fluid: when to replace blades and which fluid to use in winterSpot worn blades, pick a fluid rated for your coldest days and store it safelyRead the guideCar defrosters and heated mirrors: how to clear every window and keep the system workingDefog glass fast, clear mirrors and cameras, skip risky shortcuts and fix failuresRead the guideSnow brush, ice scraper and shovel: how to choose them and clear your whole carPick the right winter tools, clear every window and sensor, and dig out safelyRead the guideHow to use a tire pressure gauge: cold readings, the right number and a lasting routineHow to pick a gauge, take accurate cold readings and keep your gauge honestRead the guideTread depth gauges: how to measure tire wear, read the wear bars and spot uneven wearMeasure every groove, log the lowest reading and learn what wear patterns revealRead the guide

Driving on snow and ice

Slow down, leave more room and steer gently. These guides explain how to handle black ice and skids, when chains are required, what your car’s safety systems can do on slick roads and how to drive near snowplows.

Start hereDriving in snow and ice: grip, black ice, skids and when to stay homeHow to spot black ice, recover from a skid and decide when to stay homeRead the guideTire chains and traction devices: how to choose, install and follow chain lawsFind a set that fits your tires, practice putting it on and drive safely with itRead the guideSafe following distance: the 3 second rule and when to add moreHow to count a safe following gap, when to add seconds and how to handle tailgatersRead the guideCar emergencies while driving: blowouts, brake failure and skidsHow to stay in control through blowouts, brake failure, a stuck gas pedal and skidsRead the guideAntilock brakes and electronic stability control: how they work and what the lights meanLearn to brake hard with ABS, read each warning light and keep both systems workingRead the guideSnowplows, salt and anti icing: how crews treat winter roads and how to drive near plowsHow salt, brine and sand work, when crews use each and how to give plows roomRead the guideNight driving safety: how to see hazards and stop in time after darkHow to match your speed to your headlights, handle glare and spot people after darkRead the guide

If you get stuck or stranded

A stocked car kit and a charged phone can turn a long wait into a safe one. These guides cover what to carry, how to get unstuck and how to call for help.

If you are stuck in snow

Call 911 if you are in danger. Stay with your car unless shelter is close and you can reach it safely. Before you run the engine for heat, clear snow away from the tailpipe so carbon monoxide doesn’t build up inside.

Start hereEmergency blankets, water and supplies: what to carry if you get stranded in your carChoose the right blankets, pack enough water and size your kit for every tripRead the guideTraction boards and sand: how to get unstuck from snow safely and avoid carbon monoxideCheck the scene, use boards and grit gently and know when to call for helpRead the guideJump starters and jumper cables: choose and use them safely, even on hybrids and EVsWhere each clamp goes, why battery gas is dangerous and how to store a jump packRead the guideCar phone charger and power bank: keep your phone alive long enough to call for helpPick a tested power bank, store it safely and stretch your battery while you waitRead the guideSatellite SOS for drivers: how to choose, set up and test an emergency deviceCompare phone SOS, messengers and beacons, then set one up and test it safelyRead the guideRoadside breakdown safety: what to do when your car breaks downHow to get out of traffic, stay visible, call for help and handle a flatRead the guideTowing and labor coverage or a motor club: how to compare roadside helpCompare tow limits, payment, claim effects and safety before you are strandedRead the guide

For employers and road agencies

Work drivers need a plan for bad weather, and road crews need the right tools to warn and protect drivers. These guides are written for employers, fleet managers and road agencies.

Start hereJourney management for work drivers: weather, breakdowns and check insHow to plan work trips, set weather rules and track drivers with check insRead the guideRoad weather sensors and 511: how ice, fog and rain reports reach driversWhat road sensors measure, how crews use the data and where to check before a tripRead the guideHigh friction surface treatment: how extra pavement grip helps drivers stay on the roadHow HFST adds grip at curves and ramps, and what road owners should check firstRead the guide

More to read

Want to read more? Browse every weather and road conditions guide in our library, or read how to drive safely in fog.

Browse weather guidesDriving in fog

These guides offer general education, not legal or mechanical advice. Chain laws and winter tire rules differ by state, so check the rules where you drive. In an emergency in the United States, call 911.

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Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.

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