Even if it’s not snowing outside, the icy roads of winter present a challenge for drivers.
Whether it’s trying to keep your vehicle on the road or making sure it’s prepared for sub-zero temperatures, here are some steps you can take to make driving on ice more manageable. 
Pre-journey prep
Before you embark on your journey across icy roads, there are a few things you should consider to make things as safe as possible.
These include:
- Postponing any avoidable journeys until the icy roads improve.
- Give yourself plenty of extra time to factor in any traffic and to stop you from rushing.
- Charge your phone before you leave or pack a car phone charger in case of an emergency.
- Have an AA Breakdown & Emergency Kit handy – including food and water supplies.
- Make sure you have Halfords Breakdown Cover.
Leave space between cars
When you actually start driving, always leave plenty of space between you and the car in front, as icy roads will reduce the grip of your tyres and drastically increase braking distances.
If you do still skid, don’t jerk the wheel as you can easily lose control. Instead, gently steer to correct your vehicle’s line.
Drive smoothly
While driving, you should always try to accelerate, brake, steer, and change gear smoothly. By doing this, you’ll reduce the likelihood of skidding and help to give yourself an easier drive.
Stay in a high gear
On more extreme icy roads, one of the best driving tips is to try to stay in a higher gear as this will help your vehicle to grip better on packed ice.
You should always keep your eyes peeled for any hazards up in front. Remember, other cars will be going a lot slower and pedestrians may take longer to cross the road.
Be smart and go slow.
Don’t stop on a hill
If you’re approaching a hill and you can see that there’s traffic ahead, don’t carry on and stop half-way. If you do this, you could find it hard to grip and get the momentum to pull your car up the incline again.
Similarly, you shouldn’t use it as an excuse to speed up hills just to get past them. Doing this could result in you losing control of your vehicle.
Driving on ice in an electric vehicle
Driving on ice in an electric car can feel very different from a standard vehicle. Electric cars are typically heavier, so it’s even more important to ensure you drive slowly to avoid sliding and loss of control. It’s advisable to reduce regenerative braking during winter weather as this can reduce your grip on the road and can impact your steering ability.
Be mindful that your EV’s range can lower during cold temperatures as it can affect the lithium-ion battery, making it less efficient. Using eco-mode can help you maintain lower speeds, reduce wheel spin, and allow you to get the most range out of your battery during cold weather.
Join the Halfords Motoring Club
Access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe, and keep you saving.
It’s free to join the Halfords Motoring Club and you’ll receive money off your MOT, a free car health check, and a welcome voucher that can be spent on any Halfords product or service.
Or choose our Premium membership for a small monthly fee (or a one-off payment) to unlock exclusive member pricing. This can be applied across our motoring products and services online, in-store, garages, and Halfords Mobile Experts, as well as a variety of other benefits that will help you to keep moving for less.
With great savings to be made, this is too good an opportunity to miss!
Join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
So there you have it! We hope you found our tips for driving on ice useful.
Don’t forget to stock up on all your driving essentials from the Halfords website before you set off on your next journey and be prepared with key breakdown essentials in the boot of your car.
For all your motoring needs this winter, you want Halfords.
