Driving on snow, or in freezing conditions

Most British drivers will not have much experience of driving in the snow, unless they spent some time in Northern Europe, the States or Canda, etc. However even if you have that experience it's still very different driving over here in freezing conditions. As when you drive in a country that is used to extreme weather conditions then you are prepared, with snow tyres (spiked tyres - think of the tyre equivalent of running shoes), grill covers, pure antifreeze in you radiator, etc. So here's a few tips to help you cope with the cold snap. 

• Take it easy - accelerate, brake and steer far more gently
• Brake slowly and gently - braking distances increase by a factor of 10 or more on snow and ice
• Avoid braking sharply, suprisingly enough if you hit the brakes hard when you start sliding you'll only make it worse as you create a water layer between the tyres and the ice, better to steer into the skid.
• Keep torque low - change up a gear early - but don't speed up. Better to stall than slide.
• Be prepared have plenty of warm clothes, fuel and ideally some food and a hot drink, and make sure your mobile is charged. Carry a shovel and salt (even kitchen salt will do).
• Allow extra time so you aren't inclined to rush, and allow your engine to warm properly before starting off so the windows don't mist up.
• Remember if you use de-icer the endothermic effect will cause the inside to mist up.
• Check your anti-freeze, take a sample of the water in your radiator and place it in your freezer - it shouldn't freeze before at least -12 centigrade. If it does you need more antifreeze and less water otherwise you risk a destroyed engine if you park up overnight.
• Black ice is hard to spot, and as you won't have snow tyres it'll be easier to drive on fresh snow than compacted snow - ice.
• In a rear-wheel drive vehicle, you can usually feel a loss of traction or the beginning of a skid. There may be no such warning in a front-wheel drive, however.Front-wheel drives do handle better in ice and snow, but they do not have flawless traction, and skids can occur unexpectedly. Don't let the better feel and handling of a front-wheel drive car cause you to drive faster than you should.
• If your front wheels skid take your foot off the accelerator and don't try to steer immediately. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go and accelerate gently.
• When sleet, freezing rain or snow start to fall, remember that bridges are likely to freeze first.

So only drive if you really need to and as you are driving a hire van remember the vehicle you are driving weighs far more than you are used to, so has more momentum and is harder to stop. In short take it slow and steady, better late than never!