Driving on Ice and Snow | Saga Car Insurance

We love a crisp, bright morning and a cosy night in by the fire, but weather conditions in winter can be quite a challenge for drivers. It's not possible to accurately predict what the colder months might bring, but they are generally more changeable than other seasons.

From one minute to the next you might be dealing with mist, fog, driving rain, hailstorms, ice or snow. Couple these weather hazards with sudden dazzling bursts of light or bouts of dusky gloom and there’s all the more reason to keep your concentration on high alert. Follow our winter driving tips and stay safe on the road.

Tips for driving in snow

Freshly laid snow has quite a lot of grip. The problem arises when it has been impacted to create a slippery sheet of ice.

Where possible, avoid following in the tracks of other vehicles and maintain at least ten times your usual stopping distance. Select second gear when moving off and accelerate, brake and steer as gently as possible to avoid wheelspin.

When going downhill, select a lower gear, avoid braking and reduce speed. Attempting to brake safely from higher speeds is extremely difficult on ice and snow, even with anti-locking (ABS) brakes.

What you can do when driving on ice

As with driving in snow, keep your speed low and your movements slow and steady. Select a higher gear to aid grip and multiply your stopping distance by ten.

Be especially alert for wet and shiny surfaces as it could mean black ice. If you go into a skid, steer in the direction that the car is sliding. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and do not hit the brakes.

Driving in glare

The sun is lower in the sky in winter and its glare can be dazzling. Again, slowing down and increasing the distance between you and the car in front is best practice.

You can help oncoming drivers if the sun is behind you by putting your lights on. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses and use your car’s sun visor or fit a flip-down visor extender to block out bright light.

For longer journeys, you can reduce the sun’s glare for rear passengers by fitting blackout sunshades or use a tinted window film. See the Visibility section below.

Driving an automatic car in snow and ice

The same basics apply to automatics as they do for manual cars in snowy and freezing conditions – slow down, leave plenty of room and no sharp braking.

Of course, with an automatic you can’t use the gears to engine brake. Instead ease off the accelerator gently. Modern automatics will have a snow/ice mode that you can activate to pull away in a higher gear and then increase traction on the tyres.

Driving an electric car in winter

The motor in an electric vehicle offers gentle acceleration and since it also powers the regenerative braking system, you get a smooth and more balanced performance.

The narrow eco tyres fitted to most models give good grip but you may wish to switch to winter tyres given that EVs are heavier than petrol or diesel vehicles.

Be aware that winter weather can affect your battery performance and your EV may take longer to charge. If your battery needs to work harder in winter and you are using the heaters more it can reduce driving range.

Make sure you're always charged up and know the charging points for your journey, as it may take longer and use more battery.

Winter driving – avoid the ‘flat battery blues'

“The RAC sees a sharp increase in breakdowns when the weather turns cold as wintry conditions put a strain on vehicle parts like older or weak batteries and tyres. If you’re planning a long journey in the car this winter, particularly around Christmas time, it’s best to check your car well in advance to reduce the chances of running into problems."

“Taking your car for a 30-minute drive before you need it and switching off all electrics when you finish your journey are effective ways to reduce the chance of an unwanted flat battery. It’s also vital tyres have plenty of tread as good grip is essential in winter conditions. Any tyres that are well-worn and approaching the legal tread limit should be changed as a matter of urgency. If in any doubt, we strongly suggest drivers get their vehicles checked by an RAC Mobile Mechanic or garage as soon as possible.”

Alice Simpson, RAC

How to plan for a winter trip

Allow yourself more time to prepare for your journey in winter. Before you set off, check the radio or local news site for travel updates and any Met Office weather warnings.

Download the RAC smartphone app and check conditions with the RAC Route Planner. The RAC is the provider of Saga Breakdown Assistance and has some short videos on winter car checks. You might want to brush up your night driving skills with an advanced driving course, which will also look at tackling inclement weather.

How to prepare your car for winter

Give your car a thorough check-over before setting off and make sure the bodywork is clean. A regular good wash and wax will protect it against road salt, mud or snow and make it easier to clear frost, ice and snow when temperatures plummet.

Winter driving checklist

Screen wash

Most screen wash is designed for sub-zero temperatures, so don't over dilute it – use a 50/50 mix in winter. Most importantly, keep it topped up and some spare in the boot.

Battery check

We tend to use lights, heaters and wipers more in winter and that’s why battery failure is one of the most common causes of winter breakdowns. Get your battery checked and replaced if needed, especially if you’re taking a long road trip in the holidays.

Fuel

Make sure you’ve got a least half a tank in case your journey takes longer than usual due to road closures and diversions in poor weather conditions.

Lights

It’s important to be seen in dim conditions, so make sure your lights are free from dirt and shining bright. Put fog lights on if you can’t see 100m ahead and remember to turn them off when it clears.

Tyres

Check your grip every couple of weeks. Normal tyre depth is 1.6mm (approximately the depth of a 20p coin). In winter it’s best to have at least 3mm of tread and keep to the level of PSI tyre pressure shown in your handbook. If you live in an area with frequent snowfall you might benefit from winter tyres. Check your tyre pressure on a regular basis, preferably when the car and engine are cold or haven’t been running long.

Oil and coolant levels

Make sure your oil is up to the maximum level on the dipstick. Keep a litre of manufacturer’s oil in the boot. Check your radiator coolant is oil free and the level is between the min and max marks on the side of the tank. Use a pre-mixed antifreeze solution to top it up to the mark.

Locks and doors

Spray locks with WD40 and run a blob of petroleum jelly or polish around rubber door seals to stop them freezing shut.

Visibility

It’s against the law to drive without full visibility through all car windows. In winter, the temperature difference inside and outside the car makes windows more prone to steaming up. Before setting off, remove snow, frost and condensation from both sides of the windows. Thermal pressure can cause glass to break, so check your windows thoroughly and get any cracks, fractures or chips repaired. Switch off the auto wiper control before you start the car and remove any ice and debris before using your windscreen wipers. Make sure there’s nothing obscuring your mirrors or lights and the roof is clear.

Winter breakdown kit

This includes the usual car journey items such as a first aid kit, torch, jump leads, snacks, drinks and bottled water. For winter, add a blanket, warm and waterproof clothing, winter boots, gloves, a de-icer and ice scraper, a shovel, an empty fuel can, a high-vis jacket and a reflective triangle.

Who are Saga's car insurance policies underwritten by?

Saga’s car insurance policies, exclusively for people over 50, are unique products designed by us specifically for our customers. They are underwritten by a number of carefully selected insurers that provide high standards of quality and service.