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Pack for the worst -

Pack a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car. Essential items should include a ice scraper, a flashlight (windup so you don't run out of battery), and a first aid kit. Some food, a drink, a spare phone charger, and a warning triangle should also be stored.

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Carry the right supplies -

Remember to pack blankets and heavy clothing. These will provide extra insulation in case of an emergency. And don't forget a reflective safety vest.

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Snow shovel -

A snow shovel is an indispensable item to have at hand in winter weather. Choose one with at least a 46-cm (18 in) blade strong enough to handle heavy snow. The overall weight of the shovel needs to be comfortable and manageable.

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Salt -

A bag of salt is a useful accessory. Salt melts ice and snow by lowering its freezing point. If the forecast is for snow, sprinkle a few handfuls of salt around your car's tires and the immediate surrounding road surface beforehand to aid traction when pulling away. Tip: salt is corrosive, so clean your car regularly throughout the winter period.

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Tow strap -

Having a strong, reliable tow strap in the car is a necessity if the only way out of a snowdrift is to have your vehicle hauled out by horsepower.

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Be prepared -

It's a good idea to carry spare de-icer and spare windshield wiper fluid. A set of jump leads is always useful.

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Stay connected -

Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged. The number of your roadside assistance provider should be stored in it so you can always call for help. Before you hit the road, notify others and let them know your route, destination, and estimated time of arrival.

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Properly inflated tires -

A preliminary vehicle check is advisable before you set off. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread.

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Fit winter tires -

Better still, if severe winter weather is anticipated, fit winter tires. These provide far more traction in snow, slush, and on ice.

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Snow socks -

Snow socks—textile devices that wrap around the tires of a vehicle in order to increase traction on snow and ice—can come in handy if you're driving on all-season tires and meet unexpected snow.

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Maintain half a tank of fuel -

It's always advisable to keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times. Running on empty is an especially bad idea in winter weather.

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Clear the exhaust pipe -

Make sure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow, ice, or mud. This can easily happen if a vehicle is left outside in freezing temperatures for a prolonged period. A blocked exhaust pipe can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of the car while the engine is running.

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Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area -

Warming up a vehicle for several minutes in cold weather is commonplace, but never do so in an enclosed area, such as a garage. The most common way of carbon monoxide poisoning is when a car's AC is on and it is parked in a garage or a space with very limited air movement.

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Never use cruise control function -

Once on the road, avoid using cruise control when driving on any slippery  surface, such as on ice and snow. If your car hydroplanes or skids, it will accelerate and rapidly spin the wheels since it will be trying to maintain a constant speed.

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Drive slowly -

Your driving speed can easily creep up simply out of habit. Always adjust your speed down to account for diminished traction when driving on snow and ice.

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Watch your speed -

Accelerate and decelerate slowly when driving in the snow. Again, this is all about maintaining traction and avoiding skids. Moving off in a hurry is a non-no. Likewise, leave enough time to slow down for a stoplight or an obstacle.

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Don't stop if you can avoid it -

In fact, if you're able to roll slowly towards a stop light until it changes without hitting the brakes, all the better. It's far more difficult to start moving from a full stop rather than moving while still rolling.

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Increase your following distance -

Never tailgate the vehicle in front. Instead, you need to increase your following distance to at least five seconds, perhaps even 10 seconds if visibility is poor. Remember: an increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

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Know your brakes -

Be prepared to hit the brakes at anytime. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the pedal. This way you're locked and loaded and ready to react in an instant.

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Using ABS -

While driving, it's important to constantly assess your traction. Your anti-lock-brake system (ABS) can help you assess how much grip you have on snow-covered roads. If you can slow down at a reasonable rate without ABS activating, the road beneath is providing adequate purchase. When the ABS indicator in the instrument panel, or dashboard, starts flashing amber, traction is low.

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Heed the warning signs -

Do you know what the symbol representing a car with squiggly lines behind it means? This is the stability-control system warning. When it flashes amber it's telling you that the wheels that drive the car are slipping. Heed it. Ease up on the gas so the tires regain their grip.

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Read the road -

Learn to read the road ahead you. Is the surface shiny (icy) or dull (dry)? Is there a uniform covering of snow, or is it drifting? You can learn a lot about available traction just by knowing what you're looking at. By doing so, you can proceed with more confidence and lessen the chances of a mishap. 

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Learn how to steer out of a skid -

If you do encounter a skid, steer gently into it. For example, if the rear of the car is sliding to the right, steer to the right. Don't take your hands off the wheel, and always look where you want to go and not where the car is heading. Let your peripheral vision take care of whatever you're trying to avoid!

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Don't power up hills -

It's tempting to power up gradients, but don't. Hitting the gas on inclined snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin, and you could lose control of the vehicle. Instead, rely on inertia to at least give you a head start. Then, as you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and continue downhill slowly.

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Go slow downhill -

Use a low gear for going downhill and try to avoid braking unless necessary. Again, make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the car in front.

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Stay with your vehicle -

If the worst happens and you do break down, stay with your vehicle. This is the smartest thing to do. Your car provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for recovery units to locate you. Run the engine occasionally for warmth, but keep a window open. Again, be sure the exhaust pipe isn’t blocked by snow.

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Don't overexert yourself -

If snowfall is light and it looks as though you can dig yourself out of trouble, go ahead and pick up the shovel. But don't overexert yourself. If your vehicle is really stuck, don’t wear yourself out shoveling it out. Instead, save energy and concentrate on staying warm.

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SOS -

Get creative by signaling your predicament. An SOS written in snow across the windows is a good idea. So too is tying a brightly colored cloth to your vehicle's antenna to indicate distress (this also serves as a useful vehicle identification tag for rescuers).

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A night in the car -

If you're stuck in snow overnight, stay warm by using the blankets and extra clothing stored in the trunk. Keep the dome light on if possible. It only draws on a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for recovery crews to find you.

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Be visible -

Wear a high-visibility vest at all times when outside of your car. The florescent strips reflect light from a considerable distance and can warn advancing vehicles of your presence.

Sources: (Scientific American) (Which?) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) (Drivers Education USA) (The News Wheel) 

See also: The most dangerous roads on the planet

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