How do you drive effectively on snow and ice? It will probably all have gone by the time you print this, but I struggled to drive my Mini during ‘the big freeze’. Also, I’m getting a BMW Z4 soon, so by next winter I’ll have gone rear-wheel drive. Will that require different techniques? – Laura Dale 
Irrespective of the vehicle you own, your inputs must be considered, minimised and efficient. Silky-smooth application of the steering, brakes and throttle are essential.
Moving off in second gear with a small throttle opening will reduce wheelspin. When making progress, use a lower gear than you normally would – this will reduce the need to use the brakes, as the engine’s braking effect will help you to slow when you release the throttle. Whenever possible, only use the brakes to bring the car to rest – this will reduce the potential for skidding.
Plan ahead and search out the hazards that will require a reduction of speed. As a guide, stopping distances can be ten times longer when compared to a dry road, so at 30mph on snow and ice it could take you 150 metres to stop.
Ensure your tyres have over 3mm of tread – deeper tread promotes control and aids traction. Be extra vigilant if your vehicle is fitted with wide, asymmetric high-performance tyres, as by design they are a compromise in extreme winter conditions. Do not rely on the assistance of your vehicle’s stability control, traction control or ABS – ice and snow can render them ineffective. If your vehicle has traction control and you are stuck in the snow, you may need to turn off this powerzapping electronic aid to allow the driven wheels freedom to spin.
The Mini’s front-engine, front-wheeldrive configuration promotes grip and stability as all the major weight in the car is over the driven and steering wheels. Understeer is the overriding handling characteristic. By comparison the Z4 is, of course, front-engined and rear-wheel drive, so you will need to be comfortable with controlling oversteer and managing with a little less grip from the drivetrain – CH Download the PDF article
