What’s your go-to trick for handling snowy roads and icy mornings?

[Oldham SEAT & CUPRA]

The next couple of weeks are looking snowy here in Oldham! How well prepared are you for driving in these conditions?

We’d love to hear your experiences and tips:

• What’s your go-to trick for handling snowy roads and icy mornings?
• Any stories of winter driving wins—or mishaps—you’ve learned from?

If you’re looking for some extra guidance, check out our 5 Tips for Driving in the Snow, specifically for Cupra and SEAT drivers:
https://www.swanswaygarages.com/blog/5-tips-for-driving-in-the-snow/

Stay safe out there, and let’s share some wisdom to make this winter a little easier on the roads!

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

Winter tyres; I've used them for the last fifteen years or so. Not that I really needed them down here in Hertfordshire (nr. London), but gave reassurance on 6:00am commuting.

Although, this winter I've switched onto All Season tyres due to better availability in OE size, and suitability for my Ateca VZ. Previously, I ran 225/50 R18 winter tyres.

I see two issues though;-

1. Why wait until the first snow in January to be thinking of winter driving? Should be planning in September or October, and

2. Much as we, here on the forum, are (hopefully) enthusiasts and conscious about our driving, there's no legislating for the notable number of drivers (here in the UK) who will be trying to drive around on summer tyres with <3mm of tread and skating all over the place.


Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[BocaBill]

Personally just knowing how my tyres perform in these conditions, many people just havn't the funds to keep changing tyres everytime the wind changes direction and for high performance car's don't want to compromise grip in warmer months by using all seasons

 

[tracktoy]

Stay in bed, its the only answer but I am lucky as I am retired so dont have to worry about work anymore.

 

[Nathan penney]

Take the old Subaru Legacy instead.

 

[James_R]

Take the old Subaru Legacy instead.

You can't beat Subaru for a properly usable AWD system

 

[Nathan penney]

You can't beat Subaru for a properly usable AWD system

Yeah mine’s 18 years old now.
Amazing in the snow, especially with winter tyres on too.

 

[Seriously?]

My old VW T4s were good in the snow; nice narrow chunky tread Continental Vanco tyres, all the weight (when empty) over the driven axle, decent amount of ground clearance and enough torque from the 5 pot TDi to easily pull away in second gear to avoid wheelspin.
The biggest impediment to progress was normally other road users slithering, sliding or stuffing their vehicles into hedges.

 

[Jokke]

Here in Sweden we have to use winter tyres by law in the winter month. I use Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10. Real good grip in those tyres.

 

[Yern]

Stay in bed, its the only answer but I am lucky as I am retired so dont have to worry about work anymore.

Me too...stay at home. Unfortunately then you have to have the heating on .

 

[Oldham SEAT & CUPRA]

Winter tyres; I've used them for the last fifteen years or so. Not that I really needed them down here in Hertfordshire (nr. London), but gave reassurance on 6:00am commuting.

Although, this winter I've switched onto All Season tyres due to better availability in OE size, and suitability for my Ateca VZ. Previously, I ran 225/50 R18 winter tyres.

I see two issues though;-

1. Why wait until the first snow in January to be thinking of winter driving? Should be planning in September or October, and

2. Much as we, here on the forum, are (hopefully) enthusiasts and conscious about our driving, there's no legislating for the notable number of drivers (here in the UK) who will be trying to drive around on summer tyres with <3mm of tread and skating all over the place.


Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

Hi, thank you for sharing your great advice for staying safe whilst driving in winter. We totally agree that is it much better to be proactive with winter driving! Things like regular tyre checks and regular maintenance should be part of safe winter driving

 

[Oldham SEAT & CUPRA]

Personally just knowing how my tyres perform in these conditions, many people just havn't the funds to keep changing tyres everytime the wind changes direction and for high performance car's don't want to compromise grip in warmer months by using all seasons

Thank you for your comment. Tyres are not cheap to replace or change, if you don't have the means to do so yourself. Do you change your tyres do you prefer to opt for All Season tyres?

 

[Oldham SEAT & CUPRA]

Stay in bed, its the only answer but I am lucky as I am retired so dont have to worry about work anymore.

Love this answer!
Travelling only if necessary is great way to reduce congestion on icy roads.

 

[Oldham SEAT & CUPRA]

Take the old Subaru Legacy instead.

Does the Subaru handle well in the snow and ice? Better than your daily?

 

[Oldham SEAT & CUPRA]

Here in Sweden we have to use winter tyres by law in the winter month. I use Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10. Real good grip in those tyres.

View attachment 52404

These look like a great tyre. Interesting you have legislation around tyres dependent on season. In the UK, it is based on tread depth throughout the year!

 

[Nathan penney]

Does the Subaru handle well in the snow and ice? Better than your daily?

The legacy is my daily driver.
It loves the snow. And the slippery grass embankment where my lad plays football. Theres only ever 4 of us parked up there when it’s wet, A new defender, two 4X4 pick up’s and me.
£3000, 3 years, 35000 miles. Best 3 grand I’ve ever spent.
Bought as a stop gap but ended up keeping it. Love it.
New clutch and flywheel last year cost £900, other than that- Faultless.
It’s on 152000 miles now and still feels solid.
Wander if these new cars will still be around in 18 years time?
I do use the old Leon some days but it’s been parked up for winter for a couple of months.

 

[BocaBill]

Thank you for your comment. Tyres are not cheap to replace or change, if you don't have the means to do so yourself. Do you change your tyres do you prefer to opt for All Season tyres?

Can't say I've ever used all seasons, generally prefer UHP summer tyres, yes things get a bit sketchy in the current conditions but just being sensible generally leads to a safe journey.

 

[tracktoy]

Does the Subaru handle well in the snow and ice? Better than your daily?

The legacy is my daily driver.
It loves the snow. And the slippery grass embankment where my lad plays football. Theres only ever 4 of us parked up there when it’s wet, A new defender, two 4X4 pick up’s and me.
£3000, 3 years, 35000 miles. Best 3 grand I’ve ever spent.
Bought as a stop gap but ended up keeping it. Love it.
New clutch and flywheel last year cost £900, other than that- Faultless.
It’s on 152000 miles now and still feels solid.
Wander if these new cars will still be around in 18 years time?
I do use the old Leon some days but it’s been parked up for winter for a couple of months.

I seem to recall it also has permanent 4 wheel drive rather than the VAG type system.

 

[Jokke]

These look like a great tyre. Interesting you have legislation around tyres dependent on season. In the UK, it is based on tread depth throughout the year!

From 1 of december to 31 march you have to use winter tyres, the fine for not using winter tyres are more then the tyres cost. Most people here use nordic winter tyres with out studdes.
Its great that we have that here, driving around with summer tyres in winter, its just a bad idea here.
I live in the southern part, but im going up north skiing next week, there is so much snow there and they dont put salt on the roads so you cant drive with summer tyres.