12 Winter Driving Tips for Minnesota Weather

1. Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Weather

One of the best ways to stay safe while driving is to ensure your vehicle is ready before you get behind the wheel. To prepare your car for winter driving, remember to:

• Switch to winter tires. If you have all-season tires, as many people do, make sure they are in good shape with plenty of tread.
• Inflate your tires properly (cold temperatures can cause tire pressure to drop)
• Check your battery to make sure it has a full charge
• Consider changing to heavy-duty windshield wipers
• Check your car’s fluid levels regularly, and use winterized formulas to prevent freezing
• Store a winter emergency kit in your vehicle in case you become stranded

2. Keep Your Gas Tank at Least Half Full

Maintaining a gas tank at least half full can prevent gas line freeze-up and ensure you have enough fuel if you get delayed or must take a detour. It also adds extra weight to your vehicle, which can provide better traction.

3. Ensure Visibility

Clear away snow or ice from your windows, headlights, and taillights before driving. If your vehicle has fog lights, use them in low-visibility conditions like snow or fog. Ensure all lights are functioning correctly, and remember to turn them off when conditions improve to avoid blinding other drivers.

4. Monitor Road Conditions

Keep an eye on the weather before going anywhere. Consider staying home if the weather service is recommending that motorists avoid driving.

5. Slow Down

If you must drive when there’s snow or ice on the roads, avoid driving too fast. You may even need to drive under the limit. After all, speed limits are based on how fast you should drive under normal conditions – not during harsh weather.

6. Increase Your Following Distance

Do your best to maintain a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles, as well. When roads are wet or slippery, coming to a complete stop may take longer than usual. A common rule of thumb is to leave at least six seconds of space between yourself and any cars in front of you.

7. Stay Alert

Distracted driving is always a bad idea, but combined with the added hazards of winter in Minnesota, it becomes all the more dangerous. Be sure that you’re awake and alert before heading out, then remain vigilant while driving. Keep your focus on the road and nothing else. (Especially not your cell phone.)

8. Give Snowplows Space

Snowplows are your allies during winter weather, but driving too close to them can be dangerous. Maintain at least 10 car lengths behind a plow, as they often make sudden stops or turns.

Don’t pass a snowplow unless necessary – and never pass on the right, where they may be pushing snow or spreading salt. Patience is key when sharing the road with these essential vehicles.

9. Watch Out for Black Ice

Black ice is one of the sneakiest winter driving hazards. It forms when moisture freezes in a thin, transparent layer on the road, making it difficult to see. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas are especially prone to black ice, so be on your guard in those areas.

10. Avoid Using Cruise Control

Cruise control is convenient during normal conditions but can be hazardous in winter. Using it on icy or snowy roads increases the risk of losing traction. Instead, maintain manual control of your speed to better respond to changes in road conditions. This simple adjustment can make a big difference in keeping your vehicle stable.

11. Don’t Panic If You Skid

If you hit a patch of ice and lose control, the worst thing you can do is panic and slam on the brakes. Stay calm and react deliberately.

First, take your foot completely off the gas pedal. Then, try to brake. If you have anti-lock brakes, press down firmly, and the ABS system will automatically pump your brakes to keep them from locking. If you don’t have antilock brakes, you must pump them yourself. Either way, continue braking and turn into the spin until you regain control.

If there’s no way to avoid running off the road, try to aim for something that will do as little damage to your vehicle as possible, such as a snowdrift or empty yard. Of course, you may not be able to make the ideal choice but do your best. Above all, steer clear of solid structures, other vehicles, or pedestrians.

12. Know What to Do If You’re In an Accident

Using these tips can help protect yourself and others while driving this winter. However, no matter how careful you are, accidents still happen, especially if someone else is at fault. If you're ever involved in an accident, try to follow these steps:

1. Check for injuries and move to a safe location if possible.
2. Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance if needed.
3. Share contact and insurance details with the other driver(s).
4. Taking photos of the accident scene, if it is safe to do so, can help prove claims later.
5. Get contact information from any witnesses who can verify what happened.
6. Inform your insurer about the accident as soon as you can.

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