Winter driving tips for teens, you don’t tend to think about them until you or they need them. A few weeks back I took my youngest teen up to New York for a stay at the Legoland New York Resort. It was an easy ride up from South Jersey, pretty much a straight ride up the Garden State Parkway.
I felt good about the ride and was happy the roads were pretty empty. I wasn’t worried about anything until I started seeing the flashing road signs. Turns out that next morning, when we were scheduled to be driving back home, there was a winter storm warning/advisory in place. Signs warned of potentially icy roads and to avoid travel if possible.
Ugh, how was I going to keep my teen and I safe on the drive back in the morning? I’ve driven in snowy conditions before but never on icy roads. I was definitely feeling anxious.
That night as my teen played with Legos in our hotel room, I was feverishly searching the internet for winter driving tips and how to drive safely on icy roads. I’m all about being prepared. While I can’t change the weather, I can change my plans and how I drive when bad weather is predicted.
I learned some things that night and did some things I believe kept us safe. Below, I’m sharing my winter driving tips.
We’ve partnered with Chevrolet to share their winter driving tips for drivers too. Last week, I had the chance to test drive a 2022 Chevy Tahoe for 10 days and with that big blizzard we recently got, I was able to put those winter driving tips to the test.
While these winter driving tips can be helpful to all I believe they are most helpful to teen drivers who are new to driving and likely don’t have much experience with driving in snow or ice. I’ve definitely been talking with my own teens about these tips as they prepare for upcoming road tests. I have one teen with a permit ready to take his road test and another teen ready to get his permit and start lessons. I’m certainly not ready but I know these tips will help.
If your teen is preparing to get their permit and license take a look at our, What You Need to Know Before Your Teen Gets a New Jersey Driver’s License. It will help you and your teen prepare for their journey to getting their driver’s license.
Winter Driving Tips for Teens
BEFORE Winter Starts
Before the first snowflake has fallen, before the calendar changes to the first day of winter there are some steps you can take to help your teen drive safely during the winter.
Prepare the car for winter
Have your dealer or a trusted mechanic do any scheduled service. Whether your teen is driving a used car or a brand new car, make sure the battery, tires, lights, wiper blades and other critical parts are ready for winter. If your teen has been stalling on some needed maintenance, even things like getting new wipers, in an effort to save money, perhaps help them take care of the expense. Investing in good car maintenance can prevent expensive mishaps later.
Check the tire pressure regularly, as it can drop as the weather gets colder. Many newer cars will have dashboard monitors that light up when the tire pressure is not what it should be. Make sure your teen is not ignoring theirs.
Consider winter tires for your teen
Winter tires provide added traction in snow and ice, even for vehicles with four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. If your teen is going to be driving regularly in winter weather, because of sports activities, a part-time job, or something else, a set of winter tires can be a smart investment. Always use wheel and tire combinations approved by the car’s manufacturer.
Know the vehicle
That thick owner’s manual that came with the car, have your teen review it. There is important information in there regarding the safety features of the car. Reviewing the sections covering antilock brakes, traction control, and four- or all-wheel-drive (if equipped) will help your teen be more comfortable with their operation and prepared for driving in snowy or icy conditions.
Know your number
We’re in an age where we don’t really memorize anyone’s number anymore. Since we have it saved to our phones, it’s tempting to think we don’t need it. What happens though if your teen’s phone battery dies or they’re in a situation where they don’t have their phone?
Have your teen store your phone number and any other important phone numbers in their car (glove compartment or car console) and in their wallet. The few minutes it will take to do that can prevent a horrible situation later if they don’t know how to contact you.
Stock your teen’s car with emergency essentials
In addition to a snow brush and ice scraper, it’s a good idea to carry a snow shovel and abrasive material such as sand or cat litter. Jumper cables, a flashlight, and emergency flares can help your teen if they encounter unexpected problems. Cold weather clothing and an emergency blanket or sleeping bag can be critical if they get stuck or stranded. Extra chargers and reading materials are other bonus items that could be helpful in an emergency.
One of the safety kits we’ve recommended in the past is the Roadside Safety Bundle from MAGLITE. It includes a Mini Maglite PRO 2 AA-Cell LED Flashlight and 2 AA-Cell batteries, a Maglite ML300L 2 D-Cell LED Roadside Safety Kit which includes the ML300L 2 D-Cell LED Flashlight, a red traffic light wand, a white area light wand, D-Cell mounting brackets and 2 D-Cell batteries, and a Gerber Multi-Tool with carrying case. The bundle also includes a free Vehicle Safety Risk Assessment Checklist published by American Tactical Defense. Get it on the MAGLITE website.
Have the conversation about black ice
One of the hardest parts about driving in winter weather is dealing with black ice. You can’t always see it and it can be so very dangerous. It only takes a little ice to cause a major accident. I avoid driving in it whenever possible. It’s why I was so anxious about our ride home from New York. Snow you can see. Snow can be slippery and dangerous, but I feel like ice, particularly black ice is more worrisome because you can’t see it.
When driving in wintery conditions, if the road is clear, then I look for the wet spots. I’ve learned that those shiny spots can be black ice. But I also know that’s not always the case. Your teenage driver, any teenage driver, can be unprepared by a random spot of black ice. That’s what makes these winter driving tips so important.
Driving Tips BEFORE Driving in Winter Weather
As your teen prepares to drive during the winter, it’s always best to be prepared for bad weather before they are driving in it.
Check the weather for where you are going
I usually always check our local weather. Since no winter storms had been predicted for South Jersey I thought the roads would be fine. But our local news station doesn’t report on the weather for North Jersey and New York. I was caught a bit off guard and initially felt unprepared.
Plan a Plan B. Plan to be flexible.
I knew the best plan for me was to try to avoid driving in the morning hours when the storm would be at its worst and roads might not have been treated yet.
I needed a way to extend our stay at Legoland New York. Since there was not a lot to do in the area, I wanted to stay at the hotel as long as possible. We got a late checkout, played in the hotel arcade, and took a Lego building class in their Creative Workshop.
Eat
Yes, eat. It may seem silly to eat before traveling, but I’ve seen several reports of cars being stuck on the road for hours because of traffic and snowy icy roads. Teens get hungry as do adults. At least if your teen is stuck in traffic having a full belly will make the experience a bit less stressful.
To avoid being hungry and add to our departure time, my son and I grabbed some lunch before we headed on the road. If you’re concerned that your teen may need to go while being stuck or stranded in traffic, we have some ideas for that too. Read our Portable Potties Help Kids Pee & Poop Outside it can be helpful to teens too, not just kids.
Have snacks and beverages in the trunk or backseat
Again, there’s always that possibility your teen driver could be stuck in their car for a few hours. Whether it’s due to traffic, a stalled car, or another delay make sure they are prepared. After my teen and I had lunch, we stopped at the nearby grocery store to pick up bottles of water and small snacks. We didn’t end up needing it, but I feel better knowing I was prepared. Plus, I’m ready for next time, just in case.
Stay Fueled and Charged
We’ve said it a few times now. Bad weather can cause unexpected delays, so make sure your teen keeps the gas tank at least half full and cell phone charged. In New Jersey, newly licensed teen drivers are not allowed to use cell phones, even in hands-free mode. Have your teen store theirs in the car console or glove compartment fully charged. It won’t be a distraction for them, BUT will be accessible if they have an emergency or situation where they need to contact you or someone else.
Head to the car wash
Keeping your vehicle clean can help ensure system performance for your teen’s car, especially in the winter. In the front, keep the windshield, bumper, front grill, and area below the front bumper, and the headlamps clean. On the side, keep clean the front and rear panels. In the rear, keep the Rear Vision Camera lens and rear bumper clean.
Don’t let road salt, snow, or mud linger on your teen’s car after a storm. Encourage them to wash it regularly. Car wash gift cards make great stocking stuffers and cheap ‘just because’ gifts.
Tips for Driving in Winter Weather
You’ve reviewed the above winter driving tips for teens, but they aren’t ready just yet. There are a few more tips to know.
Clean it before you drive it
If it’s already snowed when your teen starts to drive, make sure they properly clear off their car. It’s easy to say the windshield is good enough or the roof is fine. But icy windshields are harder to clean once you’ve started driving.
That snow on the roof may slide down onto their windshield or worse it may fly off the back and into someone else’s windshield causing an accident. I do like this extendable snow scraper (affiliate link). It makes it much easier to get to places on my car I normally wouldn’t be able to reach.
Buckle Up
If you are like me you’re always checking to make sure your kids are buckled up before you drive anywhere. We work hard to instill that so it becomes a habit. Don’t stop reminding your kids especially when they are driving!
Chevy vehicles back up mom and dad’s reminders with a new safety feature. Buckle to Drive, now a standard feature on the 2022 Tahoe reminds drivers and front passenger to buckle up before driving. The feature does not allow a shift out of park until the driver and front passenger, if detected, have their seat belts fastened.
To use or not to use windshield wipers
One of the best pieces of advice I read when searching for winter driving tips had to do with when to use your windshield wipers. The tip was to not always use them. That oftentimes just using the window defrosters is enough.
What can happen when you use your wipers is that snow and ice become frozen to the wipers and instead of clearing the windshield, they can create a slushy, partly frozen layer of ice on your windshield. I had never considered that, but that was exactly what happened the last time I drove in the snow.
On this drive home from New York, I avoided using the wipers. I kept the defrosters on and relied on that. It worked! Despite the snow, ice, and slush being kicked up from other cars onto my windshield the defroster kept my windshield nice and clear. Let your teen know this is something to try and perhaps try it yourself to see if it works for you.
Be Cautious
In snowy and or icy conditions, slow down and increase your following distance so you have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you. Teach your teen to be aware of their surroundings and what’s happening to other cars on the roadway around them.
It’s okay to go slower than everyone else especially when your teen is new to driving in wintery conditions. They can always use their hazard lights to let other drivers know they are driving slower.
When we made our way home from New York it was slightly alarming how many cars and trucks were traveling as if there was no winter weather advisory in effect. Some were even speeding. But, I also saw numerous vehicles on the side of the road and police cars heading to emergencies. By watching other cars your teen can get a sense of where some trouble spots might be and they can safely avoid them.
If their vehicle is equipped with Stabilitrak®, talk about how that impacts driving. They should understand to not overcorrect or panic in the case of slips; the StabiliTrak® system may assist in with slipping and sliding.
Maintain Momentum
When traveling up a hill in snowy conditions, drivers should leave room in front of them and maintain momentum.
If Skidding, Don’t Pump the Brakes
If your teen’s vehicle is equipped with ABS, they should maintain pressure on the brake and let the system modulate the braking. Teach them to look in the direction they want the car to go and steer smoothly in that direction.
Take advantage of the car’s additional safety features
One of the safety features I ALWAYS love in vehicles is the exterior cameras. The 2022 Chevy Tahoe comes with an HD Surround Vision Camera. That camera came in extremely helpful as I navigated crowded, icy parking lots.
Safe winter driving isn’t limited to the roads and highways. It also comes into play as your teens make their way through parking lots and into and out of driveways. Those extra cameras can provide teens with views of how much space they have around their vehicle and what the road conditions are underneath their vehicle.
If their Vehicle Gets Stuck
Depending on a vehicle’s ground clearance and the snow conditions, the vehicle can be rocked free. Teens can use that emergency shovel (packed in the car) to clear the area around the front wheels after turning off any traction system, if equipped.
Teen drivers should gently shift back and forth between reverse and a low forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. If their attempts are unsuccessful, that’s when it’s time to break out the cell phone to call for help.
If Your Teen’s Vehicle Is Stranded
If your teen’s car is equipped with active service, they can call OnStar for assistance. While waiting for help, have your teen clear snow from the base of the vehicle, especially snow blocking the exhaust pipe, and intermittently run the vehicle to keep the interior warm. Open a window about two inches to bring in fresh air.
Make sure they don’t use a lot of that waiting time playing on their cell phone. It can be tempting to enter into a gaming battle, watch a video, or Snapchat with friends, but all of those apps running have the potential to drain their phone’s battery. Have your child read a book (from the emergency pack), doodle, or do something else safely while waiting for help. The last thing your teen needs is to be stranded with a dead phone when you or the help they are waiting for is trying to contact them.
It can be scary to think about our teens driving in snowy or icy conditions, especially when they are still new to driving. Reviewing these winter driving tips for teens with them often can help them be more prepared and help put their loved ones more at ease.