Steering inputs should be equally smooth – avoid jerky movements and try to plan ahead as much as possible.
To slow down on snow or ice, lift off the accelerator as early as possible to allow your speed to drop and select a lower gear if needed. Apply the brake pedal gently.
Keep your feet on the pedals
Smooth driving doesn’t mean coasting, so you shouldn’t ever be not giving the car any input. If you’re not on the brakes, then you should be giving the car some throttle as this helps to manage weight transfer.
It can be very tempting to brake and then coast around a corner, but it’s not advised. Just be sure to keep your inputs as smooth as possible.
Steer into the slide
If you drive over black ice and start to lose control, don’t panic and slam on the brakes. The best approach is to gently steer your car into the slide – rather than in the opposite direction – and keep steering until you feel the car straighten up. When doing this, do not take your hands off of the steering wheel or brake heavily. Our in-depth explainer on how to control oversteer and understeer covers this in more detail.
Driving Downhill
Slow down as you approach the hill, leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front, stay in a low gear and maintain a low speed. This will help to prevent potentially disastrous skidding.
Driving Uphill
Leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles – or, if you can, wait until the hill is clear – maintain a steady but sensible speed, stay in a low gear and avoid braking or stopping unless necessary.
Be wary of the wind
High winds can suddenly impact a vehicle’s handling – particularly taller vehicles. If this happens, reduce your speed and keep both hands firmly on the wheel. Also be on the lookout for hazardous debris in the road.
Stay alert
Driving in adverse conditions requires a lot of concentration, so you might want to factor in some rest stops along the way.