Winter Driving

Driving on Snow or Ice

Snow or ice between the tires and the road creates less traction or grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice may occur at about 0 °C, when freezing rain begins. Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until the roads can be treated.

To drive on a slippery road:

• Accelerate smoothly. Accelerating too quickly causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under the tires slippery.
• Turn on traction control. See Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control.
• The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) improves vehicle stability during sudden stops, but the brakes must be applied sooner than on dry pavement. See Anti-lock Brake System (ABS).
• Allow greater following distance and watch for slippery areas. Icy patches may form on roads in shaded areas that otherwise appear clear. The surface of a bridge or overpass may remain icy when surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering maneuvers and braking while on ice.

Turn off cruise control.

Snowstorm Conditions

Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal for help. Stay with the vehicle if help is not nearby. If possible, use Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program. To get help and keep everyone safe while staying with the vehicle:

• Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
• Tie a red cloth to the outside of the mirror.

• Clear snow from around the vehicle, especially any blockage of the exhaust pipe.
• Open a window approximately 5 cm (2 in) on the side of the vehicle away from the wind to let in fresh air.
• Fully open the ventilation outlets on or under the instrument panel.
• Adjust the climate control system to circulate air inside the vehicle and set the fan speed to the maximum setting. Refer to "Climate Control System."
• For more information on CO, refer to Engine Exhaust.

To conserve fuel, run the engine for short periods to warm up the vehicle, then turn off the engine and partially open a window. Moving around to keep warm also helps.

If it will take time for help to arrive, with the engine running, press the accelerator pedal lightly so the engine runs faster than idle speed. This keeps the battery charged for restarting the vehicle and signaling for help with the headlights. Do this as seldom as possible to conserve fuel.