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How to control your Subaru on snow and ice
Slow down and leave more space
Reduce speed to match the road and increase your following distance. NHTSA advises both because slick or snow-covered roads make a vehicle harder to control and stop. There is no single safe speed for every winter road; visibility, surface conditions, traffic, and your tires all matter. NHTSA’s winter-driving guidance does not establish a Subaru-specific speed or stopping distance.
Use smooth inputs
Subaru advises gradual pressure on the accelerator and brake, and slow turns with minimal steering rotation. Abrupt acceleration, braking, or steering can unsettle the vehicle on a slippery surface. Subaru also says its vehicles are equipped with four-wheel ABS and advises firm, continuous brake pressure on slippery roads. Treat that as general Subaru guidance: equipment and exact instructions can vary by model year, so check your owner’s manual.
What AWD can—and cannot—do
Subaru says Symmetrical AWD can provide extra traction and stability when it detects slippage, but it also emphasizes safe winter-driving habits. AWD can help deliver power when traction differs between wheels; it does not guarantee control, prevent skids, or remove the need for room to stop. NHTSA likewise warns that slick surfaces make controlling and stopping harder. Subaru’s winter-driving guidance does not quantify stopping distances or establish a safe speed for a particular road.
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When to use X-MODE
Subaru describes X-MODE as adjusting vehicle responses to improve control on low-traction surfaces. Its functions and controls vary by model, so use it only as described in the manual for your specific Subaru. There is no one X-MODE setting or speed that applies to every model. Read Subaru’s X-MODE explanation alongside your owner’s manual.
Check tires before winter driving
Suitable tires and correct fitment matter regardless of AWD. NHTSA advises maintaining manufacturer-recommended tire pressure and considering snow tires. Subaru says winter tires may enhance winter performance; its 2025 Outback manual requires all four tires to match specifications including size, speed symbol, load index, circumference, construction, manufacturer, brand and tread pattern, and degree of wear. That is an Outback-specific example, not a universal specification for every Subaru. The manual warns mismatches can cause mechanical damage, affect handling and braking, and contribute to loss of control. Check your vehicle’s tire placard and exact owner’s manual before choosing tires. NHTSA tire guidance covers general pressure and tire advice; Subaru owner’s manuals provide vehicle-specific requirements.
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Do not assume chains fit your Subaru
Subaru Customer Support says vehicles manufactured from model year 2010 to the present cannot use tire chains because of clearance. The same support page says another traction device, such as spring chains, may be acceptable only if its manufacturer recommends it for the vehicle’s tire size and road conditions; it specifies an SAE Class S device on the front wheels only. Subaru’s support guidance should not be treated as a substitute for checking the exact vehicle’s manual.
A 2025 Outback manual contains its own chain precautions, including front-wheel-only use and fitment checks. That model-specific guidance is not blanket permission for every Subaru. Before buying or installing any traction device, check the current manual for your model and year, Subaru guidance, the device manufacturer’s fitment instructions, and local chain-control rules. If those sources do not clearly establish compatibility, do not fit the device.
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Prepare the vehicle and trip
- Clear snow and ice from the hood, roof, and rear of the vehicle before driving.
- Use the wipers and headlights to maintain visibility.
- For a long winter trip, travel during daylight when possible and make a plan in case you get stuck.
- Consider carrying a winter roadside emergency kit with warmth and basic supplies; it is not a guarantee of safety in every emergency.
These steps follow Subaru’s winter-driving advice. NHTSA reports that in 2023, 320 fatal crashes, an estimated 22,293 injury crashes, and an estimated 101,390 police-reported crashes occurred when snow or sleet conditions were present. Those figures describe crashes in those conditions; they do not show that snow or sleet alone caused every crash, and they are not Subaru-specific. NHTSA’s crash data provides the figures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you become stranded
Follow local emergency-service instructions when available. NHTSA advises staying with the vehicle, making it visible with bright markers and the interior dome light, and avoiding overexertion. If you run the engine intermittently for warmth, keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow. See NHTSA’s winter-driving guidance for its stranded-driver recommendations.
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