A Guide to Driving on Ice

As we head into winter and the temperature drops, ice is likely to form on the roads. This can make driving tricky, especially if roads are poorly gritted or not gritted at all – a common occurrence on quieter, country lanes. Icy surfaces reduce traction, can lead to black ice and can make braking, steering and generally controlling your vehicle more difficult. Visibility issues that often accompany winter weather further complicate driving in these conditions.

The combination of these factors makes winter driving both challenging and potentially hazardous. Reduced traction and unpredictable, invisible ice patches increased the risk of collisions and accidents. To stay safe, you need to make sure your vehicle is capable of handling icy roads, adjust your driving to suit the conditions and remain vigilant.

To make you more confident and a safer driver, we have put together a helpful guide on driving in icy conditions, including essential preparation tips and navigation advice.

Before You Set Off:

As with all adverse and challenging driving conditions, you must consider postponing your journey until the weather improves.

Check Your Route

If you decide driving on icy roads is unavoidable and necessary, start by checking travel reports and noting any affected routes. Stay informed about traffic disruptions, diversions, congestion and collisions as this will allow you to alter your journey. Also keep updated about any severe weather that could impact your journey.

Try to drive on main roads where possible as they are more likely to be treated and gritted. Also be mindful of areas where you have previously encountered ice as it often reappears in the same spot year after year.

Allow Extra Time

Now you know your route, you will still need to leave plenty of time. This is because drivers are likely to reduce their speed to adjust for reduced tyre grip and increased braking distances.

Driving slower is advised as you will take longer to reach a complete stop. You also need to leave a greater distance from the vehicle in front as the total stopping distance (thinking distance + stopping distance) x 10) is greatly increased. You must brake early and gently too as braking late and suddenly could cause you to skid.

Check Your Car

Tyres

As icy roads can hinder your tyre’s ability to grip the road you want to make sure your tyres have a good amount of tread. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.66.mm in the UK, however for winter tyres, the recommended minimum tread depth is 4mm.

To check your tread, use a tread depth gauge. Place the gauge into the grooves of your tyre and read the measurement displayed on the screen if you have a digital gauge or read from a ruler-like scale if you are using an analogue gauge. Alternatively, you can check your tread by inserting a 20p coin into your tyre’s grooves. The outer band of the coin should not be visible, if this is the case your tyre is above the legal 1.6mm limit. Having adequate tread will reduce the chance of skidding and losing control of your car.

Whilst checking the tread of all four of your tyres, you also need to inspect them to check they are in good condition. There should be no cuts, bulges or punctures as these will compromise the integrity of your tyres.

Fuel

Your car will use more fuel if you are sat in traffic with your heating on so you need to note how much fuel you have before setting off and decide if you need to fill up at a petrol station at the beginning of your journey.

It is always better to have a fuller tank as not only may you need to take longer detours, but it will also prevent frozen fuel lines. If you suspect your fuel lines are frozen, characterised by engine misfires and reduced fuel efficiency, then consider adding some gas line antifreeze (please note, this is not regular antifreeze) as this can help dissolve the ice build-up. You can also park your vehicle in a warmer location to assist in thawing the frozen fuel lines.

Battery

Car batteries do not perform at their best in the cold which could make starting your car difficult or simply impossible.

Open your bonnet, locate your battery and check to see if it appears corroded or swollen. Corrosion will look like a white, blue or green powder surrounding one of your battery terminals, posts or cables; a swollen battery will be indicated by bulges or cracks in the battery case. If your battery appears to be swollen, then do not attempt to start your vehicle; you need to book in for a replacement. Corrosion, however, is treatable and happens over time with general wear and tear. This does not mean should ignore it. Battery corrosion occurs when sulfuric acid release hydrogen gas which then mixes with the air around it. Corrosion then occurs when the chemical reaction between hydrogen gas collides with air, moisture and salt. Batteries that have overheated or are leaking fluid can also lead to corrosion around the battery terminals.

How Do I Clean a Corroded Battery?

To clean battery corrosion, first wear heavy-duty gloves and eye protection. Disconnect your battery, starting first by removing the cable from the negative terminal (black) and then the positive (red). Be careful not to touch the terminals at the same time as this could cause a short circuit that leads to an electric shock and potential battery damage.

Take a moment to inspect the battery cables – check to see if there is fraying or corrosion, if the cables are damaged, they will need replacing. Then remove the battery from your vehicle. Although it’s possible to clean corrosion from a battery whilst it’s in the vehicle, it is safest to remove it and place it in a shallow bucket or pan to collect the corrosive material you are washing away. To clean the solid or powdery corrosion, use a wire brush or a scraper and remove it from around the terminals and the top of the battery cashing.

You can also get a battery terminal cleaner that cleans and neutralises corrosion from your battery. It is a spray on solution that changes colour as it reacts with corrosion. Baking soda and warm water is an equally good neutralising solution for cleaning battery corrosion. Mix the solution, dip a rag and wipe the corrosion away – do not pour the solution on top of the battery as this could leak into the battery cells and neutralise the sulfuric acid inside. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the battery casing, posts and terminals. Then return your battery to its tray inside your engine bay and reconnect the terminals, starting by attaching the positive terminal to the cable first.

Lights

It is important that your lights are working well so you can see other vehicles, and they can see you.

To test your lights to check they are working optimally, turn them on and assess their brightness by shining them near a reflective surface or a window, or by asking someone to confirm they are working well. As well as your headlights, you must check your brake lights, fog lights, hazard lights and indicators.

Also check the protective glass on your headlights for any dirt accumulation. Clean them with a soft cloth and soapy water to avoid scratching them. Similarly see if your number plate is clean and the lights for your plate are working well.

Fluid Levels

Ensure your antifreeze, screenwash and brake fluid levels are between the minimum and maximum markings inside their respective reservoirs.

Without enough screenwash you will not be able to clean your windshield effectively – the wiper blade will wipe across the glass without any fluid, and you won’t be able to remove any dirt or grime leading to streaks which reduces visibility.

Maintaining adequate brake fluid is crucial for safe driving, especially in icy conditions. When you push the brake pedal, brake fluid flows through the brake lines to the callipers and applies pressure to your brake pads against the rotors. This creates the friction needed to stop the wheels from spinning. Without enough brake fluid, your car may struggle to stop properly. On icy roads, where effective braking is essential, making sure your brake fluid levels are sufficient is a simple but vital step to preventing potential issues.

Driving with low coolant/antifreeze levels can cause your engine to overheat as the heat caused by combustion cannot escape through your radiator. This may automatically cause your engine to cut off to protect internal components.

If the engine still runs but you continue to drive whilst it is overheating, you could be causing permanent damage such as pistons welding to the cylinders or complete engine failure. It could also damage the head gasket which seals the engine’s combustion chambers and prevents oil and coolant from mixing. This damage occurs because low coolant levels can create airlocks, leading to hotspots in the engine.

Coolant also powers your car’s heaters so if you notice your car is struggling to warm up, it could be a sign you need to top up your coolant. Since coolant circulates heat, low levels can also prevent your blowers from effectively clearing your windscreen of fogging, condensation or ice. If you are experiencing these issues, then checking your coolant levels is a good idea. Other signs include poor fuel economy, loss of acceleration and the car’s high-temperature gauge getting close to red.

Low coolant also increases the risk of your pipes freezing which can lead to leaks later on.

How Do I Defrost My Car’s Windscreen?

Discovering your windshield has iced over can be annoying and highly inconvenient if you need to get going. However, there are ways to defrost your windscreen quickly. Whatever you do, do not boil the kettle and pour boiling water over your windscreen as this could cause the grass to crack.

Firstly, check your wipers and make sure they are not on. If your wipers are frozen to the glass, then the wiper motor could be damaged or the rubber could tear off if they attempt to start wiping.

Then start your engine and turn on the warm blower towards the windscreen. Turn on the rear window and heated mirrors if you have them and turn on the air-con to remove moisture from the air and stop the air from heating up. Whilst you are waiting, use a scraper and de-icer on your windows and before you know it, your frozen windscreen will start to clear up. Don’t drive off until the glass is totally clear.

Pack Winter Car Essentials

Make sure you pack the following items in your car during winter in case of any delays or emergencies:

• Spare warm clothes and blankets
• Raincoats
• De-icer and ice scraper
• In-car phone charger

Your phone should have the number of your breakdown provider stored on it; it is also worth having this written down somewhere.

• Snacks and water
• Medication
• First-aid kit
• Torch with batteries or a wind-up torch
• High visibility jacket or vest
• Jump leads
• Reflective warning triangle
• Tablets/games/colouring in to keep children entertained

After Setting Off:

After completing all your checks, packing your car with winter essentials, and ensuring your vehicle is prepared for icy conditions, the next step is learning how to drive safely on icy roads.

Drive Slowly and Brake Gently

Do not rush; it is important to drive as smoothly as possible to reduce the risk of skidding or losing control of your vehicle. Driving slowly will give you time to anticipate any hazards and react appropriately. This extra time allows you to brake gradually and bring your car to a complete stop, safely and well in advance.

Reduced tyre grip on icy roads means losing control of your car is more likely. Sudden movements like harsh braking or brash steering can cause a loss of traction and lead to skidding. Every movement, whether it’s steering, accelerating or braking, should be done gently and gradually. Take extra care when driving around corners and brake gently before you begin turning rather than steering and braking simultaneously. Wait until you have passed the corner before accelerating and do so gradually.

Increase Gears Quickly

Once you have got going, aim to increase your gears as quickly as possible as - the higher the gear, the lower the chance of wheel spin. If you drive an automatic car, shift to a winter driving mode if available.

Increase Your Following Distance

Following closely behind another road user can be dangerous and unsafe, as tyres grip less effectively in cold conditions, and it will take longer to reach a complete stop. Therefore, it is better to maximise the space between you and the car ahead to ten car lengths. This will reduce the amount you have to stop or change gear.

Watch Out for Gritters

Although gritters mainly operate at night, you may still come across them. If you spot their flashing amber lights, try to keep away from them as they may spray salt onto your car which could damage your windscreen and paintwork. Always drive with caution if you are following them as the salt, they spread can reduce your traction on the road.

It is particularly important to maintain distance from them at junctions as the salt sprayer operates using the engine meaning salt will be thrown in the direction of your vehicle.

If you are following a gritter, be patient and only overtake when it is safe to do so. If you must pass, leave as big a gap as possible.

Watch Out for Black Ice

Black ice is virtually impossible to spot as it is invisible, although it can be spotted in the right lighting conditions if you are looking for it. It nearly always forms in very smooth, very glossy sheets and this glossiness is your hint that there is black ice. Black ice is also most likely to form on roads and in areas that don’t get much sunlight, such as flyovers, roads in tunnels, underneath bridges and areas shaded by trees. When driving along roads such as these, take extra caution and remain vigilant.

You can tell you're driving over black ice if the steering wheel suddenly feels light, unresponsive, or harder to control. If small steering adjustments result in exaggerated movements, this is a sign you are driving over black ice. Additionally, your tyres will be making less noise, and the car may feel unusually light like it’s barely gripping the road.

If you encounter black ice, remain composed and reduce your speed to lessen your chance of skidding. When driving in an area you think black ice could be prevalent, it is better not to use cruise control. Also, keep your steering straight and steady to reduce the risk of sliding or skidding. To improve your control over the car, shift into a higher gear.

What Do I Do if I Skid on Ice?

If you feel yourself starting to skid, try not to panic.

If you do start to skid, steer in the direction of your skid. Be careful not to overcorrect as this could lead to further loss of control and also resist the urge to slam your foot on the brakes. Try to recognise if you need to correct an oversteer skid or an understeer skid.

An oversteer skid occurs when your rear wheels lose contact with the road. To recover, take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid.

An understeer skid occurs when your front wheels lose contact with the road. To recover, ease off the accelerator and stabilise your steering so the tyres can regain traction.

After straightening your vehicle, gently apply pressure to your accelerator.

What Do I Do if I Breakdown in Winter?

Unfortunately icy conditions can increase the likelihood chances of your car breaking down.

If you have broken down or suspect you might be breaking down, pull over to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, set up a warning triangle, and relocate to a safe location while you wait for assistance. If you are on an A road or a motorway, stand behind the barrier.

In the absence of a hard shoulder, move your vehicle as far left as possible and turn your wheels to the left

Wear a high-visibility jacket to ensure that other drivers and emergency responders can easily see you.

Contact your breakdown provider for help. If you cannot access your mobile after a breakdown, look for emergency phones located inside bright orange boxes along the hard shoulder of the motorway. If you don’t see one, there are marker posts with arrows directing you to the nearest phone. Using the SOS phone, you’ll be able to contact Highways England.

If your vehicle is obstructing the road, call the police for assistance.

Final Thoughts

Driving on ice is all about thorough preparation, careful planning and maintaining a cautious, vigilant approach behind the wheel. Always stay a safe distance from other vehicles to allow for extended braking distances and keep your focus on the road ahead to anticipate hazards early. By staying calm, patient and deliberate in your actions you will reduce the chance of losing control and will ensure a safer journey on icy roads.