5 winter-driving tips to survive the slippery, snowy streets

The ball has officially come down in Times Square, and that means the holiday season has finally concluded. However, although the time for presents and awkward family get-togethers may be over, the effects of winter are still very much in play. Don't get us wrong, we love snowball fights and ice skating as much as anyone, but the conditions can prove treacherous if you're on the road.

We've already compiled a guide on how you can prepare your car for winter ^[2], so these tips will focus on the correct way to drive in slippery conditions, what supplies you should have on hand, and ways you can make your trip a little easier. There's still a lot of winter left, so pour yourself some cocoa and let's get to it.

Wear the right shoes

When it first starts to snow, the first thing most people should do is fit their car with winter tires ^[3], studded tires, or tires fitted with chains, and there's good reason for that. A good set of tires can be the difference between getting home safely and skidding into a ditch, so it's important to know what type is best for you.

First things first, if it looks like the planet Hoth outside, those all-season radials probably aren't going to cut it. As their name suggests, all-seasons are designed to handle all types of weather, but they don't excel at one particular thing. You wouldn't wear your Birkenstocks on the ski slopes, would you?

We recommend a good set of true winter tires during the cold winter months, such as the Bridgestone Blizzak or Goodyear Ultra Grip, which are generally made from a softer compound that stays more flexible as the temperatures drop. This results in more grip overall, as they conform to the contours of the road better than summer or all-season tires, which tend to turn hard and brittle when chilled. Winter radials also feature deep, open tread patterns designed to push away slush, and generally contain small grooves called sipes that act as "teeth" to bite into slick surfaces. To see just how effective winter rubber is on snow when compared to all-season tires, check out this comparison video by Tire Rack ^[4].

If the streets are smooth enough to skate on, consider studded tires or chains for even more control, but remember that most states have restrictions on when you can use them. Check out AAA's state-by-state breakdown ^[5] to brush up on your local regulations.

One last tip: don't mix and match your tires, as it can result in uneven traction and decreased stability.

Take it slow

The only thing more important than the preparedness of your vehicle is how you use it. The best four-wheel drive system in the world won't save you if you decide to act like a dummy when navigating ice, because at the end of the day, physics gonna physics.

The key to successfully driving in snow is strikingly similar to facing off with a Tyrannosaurus Rex — take it slow, and no sudden movements. You must give significantly more time to execute nearly every action when the road is slippery, including accelerating, braking, turning, and even changing lanes. If and when you start to skid, take your foot off the brake and turn the wheel into the slide — not out of it — and calmly work to regain control.

Calmly correcting a slide is easier said than done though, so another important suggestion is to practice. By practice, we mean find a safe, empty lot with snow on it and get to slidin'. Every car feels different, so it's vital to know how yours reacts to a loss of traction, and it's crucial for you to know how to respond. And if you happen to have a little fun at the same time? So be it.

Better yet, just stay home.

Keep your supplies stocked

One of Benjamin Franklin's most famous quotes — "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" — was actually meant to educate the masses about fire prevention, but it works just as well when the puffy jackets and gloves come out. Warm clothes and food are a given, but things such as flares, glow sticks, flashlights, blankets, shovels, jumper cables, first aid kits, sand, and spare tires are just as vital if you get stranded. It's important to have your supplies ready ahead of time as well, because emergency kits are often forgotten in the rush to get up the mountain.

Amazon has tons of pre-made emergency packs ^[6] for purchase, ranging from small 42-piece kits to larger, more inclusive options that come bundled with folding saws, emergency blankets, cell phone chargers, and radios.

Winterize your ride

Fitting your vehicle with good winter rubber is usually the first step when winterizing your ride, but it doesn't have to be the only one. Outside of sheltering your car, checking the battery, and purchasing sand bags — which are discussed in detail here ^[7] — there are other options that can save you a headache down the road.

The simplest, most-overlooked tactic is keeping your gas tank at least half full when it dips below freezing. We know how easy it is to settle for a $10 top off, but an empty gas tank can result in condensation and your gas line freezing under frigid conditions. Trust us, few occurrences will leave you feeling more defeated than an unresponsive engine on a cold morning. On a related note, make sure the antifreeze/coolant and windshield washer reservoirs are filled to the appropriate level.

Pedestrians, sledders, and reindeer are harder to see during this time of year as well, so visibility must be near the top of your priority list. That means make sure your wipers are up to the task of removing snow and slush from your windshield, and clean off your car before you set off. Not just a little peephole in the windshield, the whole thing — side windows, rear windows, side mirrors, and even the headlights if they're frozen over. An ice scraper or brush is best for this, but that old library card you haven't used in months will do in a pinch.

Finally, consider an engine block heater if you live in a place like Northern Minnesota, Russia, or the Arctic. They're a must-have for diesel engines in these types of climates, but they'll make sure your gas-powered car starts on even the nippiest of mornings. Also, don't use the handbrake if you have an older car. They can freeze overnight when they get wet, and that's a bad way to start the day.

Always check your route

Last but most certainly not least, always check your route before you leave. You needn't worry about this much if you're just milling around town, but if you're heading over a mountain pass or frozen tundra, always review the conditions beforehand. Routes like these don't have typically have an abundance of detours, so if you get stuck up there, you're in for a long night.

Most states have their own road condition websites ^[8], but the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration ^[9] offers a national database. Simply click on your state to view camera feeds, traffic info, transportation options, and the like.

Winter may be a hazardous time for motorists, but it's a great time to be alive. So whether you're on your way to the ski lift or a cozy vacation home, stay safe out there. For more advice on getting around in the snow, check out AAA's Winter Driving Tips playlist on YouTube ^[10].