10 Tips to Help Avoid Sliding on Ice (& What to Do If It Happens to You)
December 10, 2020
With winter approaching and icy weather in tow, its essential to prepare your Nissan for the slippery and unpredictable roads ahead. Do you know how to handle an encounter with black ice or a hard patch of snow? Learn how to help prevent your car from sliding on ice and what to do if an accidental skid happens.
Why Cars Slip on Ice
Traction loss is the single most dangerous cause for cars slipping on icy roads. Tires are created to maintain constant contact with the ground, so when wintery weather conditions occur, your tires likelihood of gripping the roads surface is substantially decreased.
Black ice, born from refrozen melted ice or moisture, is another dangerous phenomenon. Its translucent disposition, disguised as a clear patch of pavement or harmless puddle, can provide a false sense of security ‐ resulting in traction loss.
Tips to Help Avoid Sliding on Ice
A significant part of driving in wintry conditions is preparation. Stay prepared with these tips when handling your car in icy conditions during your next big adventure.
1. When the roads are bad, refrain from driving.
If the roads in your area just got hit with a lot of snow or a cold snap after a lot of rain, chances are there's ice on the pavement. Avoid driving on icy streets wherever possible. If you can stay in, strongly consider the option, at least until the roads have had a chance to clear up.
2. Manage your speed.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, its recommended that drivers reduce their speed to half the posted speed limit or less under snowy road conditions.
3. don't slam on the brakes.
When driving in icy weather, brake gently to avoid potentially dangerous traction loss. Also, winter driving conditions can heavily impact your braking distance, so be sure to give yourself additional stopping room.
4. Accelerate slowly.
When the roads are bad, its important not to floor your gas pedal. Accelerating too quickly can cause your tires to overspin and lose contact with the road, which can cause your tread to wear unevenly and even your tires to overheat. When you need to increase your speed, do so with measured application by slowly applying the gas.
Try giving yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination so you don't feel the need to drive too quickly.
5. Keep up with routine vehicle maintenance.
Prepare your Nissan for the winter months by scheduling a full maintenance check-up and reviewing your manual for relevant details on car care. With traction loss being the most dangerous aspect of driving in icy weather, be sure to prioritize your tires, suspension, and brakes, as these are essential for handling winter weather conditions.
1. TiresSturdy tires are your best defense against icy roads, hydroplaning, and traction loss. Worn tires with inadequate tread depth can cause your vehicle to ride on top of ice more easily. And if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, consider getting winter tires for your Nissan.
2. BrakesSince frosty weather can further damage faulty brakes, its important to understand their functionality and have them checked ahead of time. Cold temperatures, salty roads, and the extra pressure put on them to stop on snowy pavement can all cause worn brakes to fail faster.
3. SuspensionYour suspension system is a vital part of your vehicles overall wellbeing on the road. When its not maintained properly, your suspension can become corroded, break, or fail over time ‐ something you don't want to occur when driving in icy conditions.
How to Recover If Your Car Slips on Ice
If you find your car sliding on ice, your first instinct may be to take control as you would in normal driving conditions, i.e., slamming down on your brakes or aggressively steering to regain control. However, you may need to go against these instincts on icy ground. If you find your car drifting on an icy patch, try following these steps.
1. Stay calm.
When you feel your vehicle slide over ice, staying calm may seem easier said than done. Fortunately, being aware of icy driving standards in advance can alleviate a negative panic response. Take a deep breath. You got this.
2. don't slam on the brakes or gas pedal.
If your car starts to slide and traction is lost, remember, do not brake or accelerate suddenly. Your knee-jerk reaction may be to do this, but putting too much pressure on these pedals can cause your car to spin out.
3. Reduce your speed.
To reduce your speed without slamming the brakes, ease your foot off of the accelerator to re-balance your car, and instead, apply gentle pressure to the brakes to help regain traction. Its important to note that If your vehicle is not equipped with ABS brakes, gently pump the brake pedal as opposed to applying constant pressure to help you regain control of your vehicle.
4. don't oversteer.
When you're sliding on ice, do not steer sharply, as this can worsen a skid or slide. Instead, be gentle when navigating the wheel. An overreaction could send your vehicles back end in the opposite direction and result in a spin-out.
5. Turn into the slide.
Turn your steering wheel in the direction your vehicle is sliding to help center your vehicle and regain control. For example, if your cars back end is sliding to the left, stabilize your vehicle by slowly steering in that direction. When everything is aligned, you can then straighten the wheel.
Stay Ahead of Winter with Nissan Parts
With the right preparation and seasonal driving know-how, you can better prevent winter driving mishaps. Is your Nissan properly equipped? Shop winter accessories online to help prepare your Nissan for the winter months ahead.