Tires—

Don’t cheap out on your tires. They’re the only part of your car that touches the cold and slippery ground. While all-season tires are a common choice, there is truly no alternative as safe as fitting winter tires. All-season and regular tires don’t provide the traction needed to thrive in the winter and there’s nothing worse than slipping on the pot-hole-filled Shepard Road on the way to a hockey game at Excel.

Skidding—

Pay attention to where you’re going! Despite all precautions, skidding is nearly inevitable. In icy times it is imperative to look where you want your car to go, not where it actively is going, and you can use your peripheral vision to stay aware of your surroundings. If all goes well, you’ll end up where you’re looking.

Additionally, you need to recognize what part of the car is skidding. For front-wheel skids, ease off the gas and aim for where you want to be. Don’t oversteer. For back-wheel skids, turn the wheel in the direction that the back of your car is sliding and ease off the gas. In both cases, do not slam the brakes.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)—

If you don’t have ABS on your car… you’re not dead yet but you will be in a few months. If your car is equipped with ABS and you’re in a major skid or you see an obstacle to avoid, press down hard on the brakes and keep steering. ABS brakes the car in automated intervals, which lets you steer and stay in control of the vehicle while recovering traction.

Keep the necessary supplies—

We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in class, staring at the first snowfall and thinking ‘I have to get my car out of the snow AND the Edina High School parking lot,’ absolutely dreading when the clock strikes 3:16 p.m. Make it easier on yourself and carry some basic supplies to help clear the snow faster and in case of emergencies. For some people, this means a windshield cover, while others can make do with a small but sturdy ice scraper or snow brusher. Maybe you’ll be that over-prepared person who carries a shovel (your passengers will thank you when you drive into a snowbank). If nothing else, carry a first aid kid, blanket, gloves, and other winter clothing. You’ll thank me when you’re stuck in a ditch.

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on November 30, 2023.