Winter driving tips: How to stay safe on the road

Prepare your vehicle for winter

Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle is ready for cold-weather conditions. Here’s what you should check:

• Winter tires: Mandatory from December 1 to March 15, or from October 15 to May 1 for studded tires, with an ideal starting-season tread depth of at least 6/32 in
• Electrical components
• Air intake, fuel, exhaust and cooling systems
• Condition of windshield wiper blades

Also take the time to restock your winter emergency kit. In addition to the usual items, add:

• shovel
• snow brush
• ice scraper
• traction aids or a bag of abrasive material
• winter windshield washer fluid

For your safety, also keep reflective triangles or a reflective safety vest. Add a battery-free flashlight, a few tools, a first-aid kit, a warm blanket and nonperishable food.

Completely clear snow off your car before driving

You may not know this, but driving with snow or ice on your car, windows or licence plate can be costly. It can lead to a $60 to $100 fine (plus fees). Read our tip How to properly clear snow and ice off your car to avoid getting a ticket—and, more importantly, to stay safe on the road.

Adopt smooth and preventive driving in winter

To avoid losing control of your vehicle:

• stay gentle whenever the road is icy or snow-covered
• accelerate gradually to help your tires grip the road
• turn the steering wheel smoothly to maintain control of your vehicle

Watch out for areas prone to black ice—bridges, overpasses and open sections—especially when the temperature hovers around 0°C.

Good to know: On rural roads, the surface can quickly switch from dry to snow-covered or icy. Slow down to avoid surprises on slippery patches.

What to do if you start to skid on icy roads

How to react to front-wheel skidding (understeer)

Understeer occurs when centrifugal force exceeds the grip of the front tires and your vehicle slides forward, often due to excessive speed or sudden braking (wheel lockup).

To correct your course: 

• reduce pressure on the accelerator or brake pedal
• steer the wheels toward the curve, looking where you want to go

Perform this manoeuvre gently—especially if you drive a front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Releasing the accelerator too quickly could cause the rear end to skid.

How to react to rear-wheel skidding (oversteer)

Oversteer occurs when the rear of your vehicle starts to swing out.

If the back end of your car slides:

• turn the front wheels in the direction the rear has started to skid
• look in the direction you want to go
• repeat the correction quickly and precisely if the vehicle swings back the other way

What is a safe following distance in winter?

During the winter months, increase your minimum following distance from the vehicle in front: aim for at least 6 seconds, or more depending on conditions. This longer following distance gives you more time to react and makes your driving smoother and more predictable. Keep it in mind on your next trip!

Avoid cruise control on slippery roads

In winter, it is generally recommended to avoid using cruise control, especially when roads are slippery or snow-covered.

Practice if you’re not confident driving in winter

If you’re not fully comfortable driving in winter, practice in a large, empty parking lot. Test your turns, braking distances and skids at moderate speed. This will help you better understand how your vehicle reacts and anticipate situations for improved road safety. Winter driving courses are also a great idea!

Postpone your trips during a storm or poor visibility

It’s best to postpone your trip if a storm is coming, visibility is reduced or weather conditions become too unstable. Sometimes this is the safest choice. Wait until the weather improves and roads are cleared before heading out.

Winter driving for electric vehicles (EVs)

Winter driving tips apply to electric vehicles (EVs) too. On icy roads, accelerate gently, since the instant power of an EV can cause a loss of traction. Make sure your tires are suitable and your EV’s traction battery is properly managed to drive safely when temperatures drop. 

Check out our advice on electric vehicle winter tips for more information.