Get A Grip

To have adequate snow traction, a tire requires at least 6/32-inch deep tread. (New passenger car tires usually have 10/32-inch of tread depth.) Ultra high-performance "summer" tires have little or no grip in snow. Even "all-season" tires don't always have great snow traction so check your's out on tirerack.com.

Make Sure You Can See

Replace windshield wiper blades regularly. Clean the inside of your windows thoroughly. Apply a water-shedding material (such as Rain-X) to the outside of all windows, including the mirrors. Make sure your windshield washer system works and is full of an anti-icing fluid. Drain older fluid by running the washers until new fluid appears. Switching fluid colors makes this easy.

Run The Air-Conditioner

In order to remove condensation and frost from the interior of windows, engage your air-conditioner and select the fresh air option. It's fine to set the temperature on "hot". Many cars automatically do this when you choose the defrost setting.

Check Your Lights

Use your headlights so that others will see you and not pull out in front of you. Make sure your headlights and taillights are clear of snow. If you have an older car with pitted or frosted headlight lenses, we can polish them to look new again. Ask one of our Service Consultants about it.

Give Yourself A Brake

Learn how to get maximum efficiency from your brakes before an emergency. It's easy to properly use antilock brakes: Stomp, stay on them and steer. Stomp on the pedal as if you were trying to snap it off. Stay hard on the pedal. Steer around the obstacle. A little bit of steering goes a very long way in an emergency. If you drive on icy roads or roads that are covered with snow, modify your ABS technique: After you "Stomp" and the ABS begins cycling -- you will feel pulses in the pedal or hear the system working -- ease up slightly on the pedal until the pulsing happens only once a second. For vehicles without ABS, you'll have to rely on the old-fashioned system: "Your Senses". For non-ABS vehicles on a mixed-surface road, push the brake pedal hard until the wheels stop rolling, then immediately release the brake enough to allow the wheels to begin turning again. Repeat this sequence rapidly. This is not the same as "pumping the brake." Your goal is to have the tires producing maximum grip regardless of whether the surface is snow, ice or damp pavement.

Watch Out For "Black Ice"

If the road looks slick, it probably is. This is especially true with one of winter's worst hazards: "black ice". Also called "glare ice", this nearly transparent ice often looks like a harmless puddle and may even be overlooked entirely. If you are driving and travel onto what appears to be "black ice" just drive slow and steady straight across it without making any sudden moves.  If you are moving slowly or just starting to move and you drive onto what appears to be "black ice" then test your vehicle's traction with a smooth brake application or slight turn of the wheel before trying to stop or turn a corner.

Remember The Tough Spots

Race drivers must memorize the nuances of every track, so they can alter their path for changing track conditions. You must remember where icy roads tend to occur. Bridges and intersections are common places. Also, ice can form wherever water runs across the road during a storm so be careful.

Too Much Steering Is Bad

If a slick section in a turn causes your front tires to lose grip, the common -- but incorrect -- reaction is to continue turning the steering wheel. That technique won't improve the situation and may make things worse. If this situation happens and suddenly the icy conditions on the road end then the front tires will regain grip and your car will dart whichever way the wheels are pointed. That "dart" may be into oncoming traffic or a telephone pole. Something very similar happens if you steer too much while braking with ABS. Sadly, there are situations where nothing will prevent a crash, but turning the steering too much never helps.  In slippery road conditions: slow, moderate turns of the wheel are key.

Avoid Rear-Tire Slides

First, choose a car with electronic stability control (ESC) if possible. Fortunately, ESC will be mandatory on all 2012 models. Next, make sure your rear tires have at least as much tread as your front tires. Finally, if you use winter tires, get four of them for maximum control on ice and snow.

Technology Offers No Miracles

All-wheel-drive (AWD) and electronic stability control (ESC) can get you into trouble by offering a false sense of security. AWD can only help a vehicle accelerate or keep moving. It can't help you go around a snow-covered turn, much less stop at an icy intersection. ESC can prevent a spinout, but it can't clear ice from the roads or give your tires more traction. Don't let these modern safety features lull you into overestimating the available traction and your ability to control your vehicle in an emergency.

Regardless of your driving skill or vehicle preparation, there are some winter conditions that can't be conquered. But these tips may help prevent snow and ice from ruining your day.