Before you drive

Clear the whole vehicle. The National Weather Service says to make sure your vehicle is completely clear of ice or snow before starting the trip, because flying snow from cars causes accidents.

Tell someone your route. Let someone know where you are going and what route you will take, so that if something happens they know where to start looking.

Take a charged phone and a kit. The NWS says not to leave without a fully charged mobile phone, a car charger and an emergency supplies kit in your car.

From the National Weather Service, What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm, In Vehicles, read November 11, 2026.

Driving on snow and ice

Slow down. The NWS says even if the roads just look wet, they could still be slick, and that more than 5,000 fatalities occur on the roadways each year due to weather conditions.

Accelerate gently. The 2026 Ram 1500 manual warns that rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet or other slippery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to the right or left, and that you could lose control. It says to accelerate slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction, such as ice, snow, wet roads, mud or loose sand.

Do not downshift for engine braking on slippery roads. The Ram manual warns not to downshift for additional engine braking on a slippery surface, because the drive wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. If your vehicle has a tow or haul mode, the same manual says not to use it on icy or slippery roads, because the increased engine braking can cause the rear wheels to slide.

Pull over if you cannot see. If you are having trouble seeing due to weather, the NWS says to pull over to the side of the road and stop until visibility improves, turn off your lights and use your parking brake, so another car does not mistakenly follow your taillights and hit you.

From the National Weather Service, What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm (read November 11, 2026), and the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Driving On Slippery Surfaces (pp. 230-231), Electronic Range Select and Tow/Haul Mode warnings (pp. 196-197), read November 11, 2026.

Skids and braking

What to do when the road gets away from you:

From the National Weather Service, What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm, and the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand (p. 233) and Driving Through Water (p. 231), read November 11, 2026.

Tires for snow and ice

The Ram manual says summer tires are not intended to be driven in snow or on ice, and warns not to use them in snow or ice conditions. If a vehicle has summer tires, it says to install winter tires when ambient temperatures are less than 40°F or roads are covered with ice or snow.

Snow tires can be identified by a mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall, while all-season tires carry an M+S, M&S, M/S or MS designation. The manual says to use snow tires and all-season tires only in sets of four, notes that snow tires generally have lower speed ratings, and says some states prohibit studded tires, so check local laws.

Tread matters too. See our guides to tire tread depth and the tire pressure light.

From the 2026 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual, Tire Types: All Season, Summer and Snow Tires (pp. 355-356), read November 11, 2026. Follow your own vehicle's manual and tire placard.

If you get stuck in a winter storm

The National Weather Service says to stay in the vehicle; if you leave it, you will become disoriented quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.

Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat, and open the window a little for fresh air while it runs to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Clear snow from the exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning.

Be visible to rescuers: turn on the dome light at night when running the engine, tie a bright colored cloth, preferably red, to your antenna or door, and after the snow stops falling, raise the hood to show you need help.

For what to keep in the car before winter, see how to winterize your car.

From the National Weather Service, What To Do If You're Caught in a Winter Storm, If your car gets stuck during a storm, read November 11, 2026.

Winter service at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center

Want your tires and brakes looked at before the snow? Schedule service or see our service specials.

Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.