Parking is one of the slowest things you do in a car, which makes it easy to forget how much can go wrong in winter. Low speed on ice still means low control. A gentle slide into a curb, a snowbank or another car is one of the most common winter mishaps, and most of them are avoidable.
Choose your spot with the weather in mind
Where you park matters as much as how. When you have options, look for:
- Level ground. Even a slight slope can send a car sliding once tires lose grip.
- Cleared or treated pavement. Spaces that have been plowed and salted give you traction to stop and to leave later.
- Distance from snow piles. Plows often push more snow onto the edges of lots, and a car parked tight to a pile can get buried.
- Spaces you can pull through or exit forward. Backing out over ice into traffic you cannot see well is harder than driving forward.
- Away from drip lines. Roof edges and overhangs can drop ice and meltwater that refreezes around your tires.
Slow down well before the space
Most winter parking slides start too far away to notice. Brake earlier and more gently than usual as you enter a lot, and creep the last few feet. Steer smoothly, because sharp steering inputs on ice can break traction just as easily as hard braking.
If the car begins to slide, ease off the brake and the gas and steer gently where you want to go. If your car has anti-lock brakes, press firmly and steadily rather than pumping, and let the system work.
Leave room to get out
In summer you can tuck into a tight space and pull out easily. In winter, packed snow and ice can trap your tires. Leave a little extra space in front and behind when parallel parking, and avoid pulling all the way into deep snow at the end of a space. That last foot of snow is often what holds you in place later.
Parking brake and gear choices
Normally the parking brake is a good habit. In extreme cold, some drivers worry that a wet brake cable can freeze. Your owner’s manual is the best guide for your specific vehicle. On level ground, many manuals simply recommend using park or a low gear along with the brake. On any slope, the brake matters more, not less.
When you return to the car
- Clear all snow from the roof, hood, windows, lights and mirrors before driving.
- Check that the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow before starting the engine, especially if the car is surrounded by a snowbank.
- Pull out slowly, with straight wheels if possible, and avoid spinning the tires.
- If you are stuck, rock gently between forward and reverse only if your manual allows it, and consider sand, kitty litter or traction mats under the drive wheels.
Finally, pay attention to winter parking rules wherever you are. Snow emergency declarations and plow routes can make an ordinary space illegal for a while. Read posted signs and check your city’s official site for current restrictions before you leave a car on the street during a storm.
A Practice Routine for Winter Parking
Most drivers never practice low-speed control on snow and ice. They learn it in the moment, usually in a crowded lot with someone waiting behind them. A little deliberate practice changes that. On a day after a light snowfall, find a large, empty lot where you have permission to drive, and spend fifteen minutes getting a feel for your car.
- Feel the brakes. At walking pace, press the brake gently and notice how far the car travels before it stops. Then try a firmer press and feel for the anti-lock system working, if your car has one. A buzzing or pulsing pedal is normal.
- Feel the steering. Turn the wheel slowly at a crawl and notice how much less the car responds than it does on dry pavement.
- Practice stopping at a line. Pick a painted line or a mark in the snow and try to stop right on it, starting your braking earlier each time until it feels natural.
- Practice pulling away. From a stop, ease onto the gas as gently as you can. Notice how little throttle it takes to start the wheels spinning.
Keep well away from light poles, curbs and other cars, and stop if anyone else arrives. The goal is calm familiarity, not stunts.
Common Winter Parking Mistakes and Better Habits
- Trusting the lot because the road was fine. Parking lots are often plowed later and salted less than main roads. Expect less grip the moment you turn in.
- Pulling in nose-first to a downhill space. Leaving later means backing uphill on ice. If you can, choose a space you can leave going forward or downhill gently.
- Parking in the shade of a building. Shaded spots stay icy long after sunny ones have melted. When everything else is equal, the sunny side often gives you an easier exit.
- Stopping on the painted lines. Painted lines and metal covers can be slicker than bare pavement when wet or icy. Plan your stop on asphalt when you can.
- Rushing a tight space. If a space feels too tight to enter slowly, it will feel tighter to leave. Choose another one, even if it means a longer walk.
Walking safely from the car
Parking safely includes the walk that follows. Step out slowly, hold the door frame for balance, and look down before you put weight on your foot. Short, flat-footed steps work better than long strides on ice. Keep your hands free when you can, and carry bags in a backpack rather than in your arms so you can catch yourself if you slip.
Winter Parking Questions
Should I use all-wheel drive to get out of a slippery space?
All-wheel drive can help you start moving, but it does not help you stop or steer on ice. Drive and park as carefully in an all-wheel-drive vehicle as in any other car.
Is it better to park in a garage during an ice storm?
Covered parking avoids ice buildup on the car and usually gives better footing. Just remember that garage ramps and entrances can be slick where snow melts off cars and refreezes, so take them slowly.
What if I slide into another car while parking?
Stop, check that everyone is safe, and exchange information as you would after any collision. If the other car is unoccupied, leave a note with your contact details and follow your local rules about reporting. Take photos for your insurer.
