Winter driving in Iceland

Winter driving in Iceland may involve difficult situations including icy roads, heavy snow and blocked roads. It is not always like that but when it happens two things are of vital importance. Firstly, make sure your car is equipped with quality winter tyres with studs when you pick up the rental cars and secondly, drive according to the conditions for you to keep total control of the rental car. All rental cars from Saga Car Rental are, during winter from 1.11 - 15.4, equipped with high quality studded winter tyres.

Remember: You are responsible for checking road and weather conditions and assessing if it is safe before you start your winter driving in Iceland. Familiarize yourself with winter driving conditions in Iceland by reading below information.

Driving your rental car on ice in Iceland requires you to slow down.Driving your rental car on ice in Iceland requires you to slow down.

Driving on ice

During winter roads are often icy. It requires you to slow down. If your vehicle starts to slide TAP THE BREAK GENTLY several times and keep calm. DO NOT push the break to the floor as the tyres might lock – losing their ability to slow you down.

When your rental car in Iceland hits black ice. Black ice is INVISIBLE ICE.When your rental car in Iceland hits black ice. Black ice is INVISIBLE ICE.

Black ice

INVISIBLE ICE that makes the roads extremely slippery. It can happen quite quickly when temperatures are dropping from below zero.

When driving your rental car in Iceland be alert for patches of ice.When driving your rental car in Iceland be alert for patches of ice.

Patches of ice

Even though the road has been clear for miles, only a small patch of ice on the road can do a lot of damage, especially to a driver who is not alert.

How to identify ice

1.      Landscape – The chances of ice in flat areas are greater than in incline. Temperatures also decrease when you go higher up so chances of ice on mountain roads are greater than in the lowlands.

2.      Weather – There are greater chances of ice when there are clear skies in twilight and during night. Usually the nights are colder when the air is dry and in those circumstances dew and damp can cause ice on the surface of the roads.

3.      Proximity to water or sea – Where roads lie close to rivers, waters or sea there is more dampness in the air which increase the chances of ice on the roads.

4.      Shelter – Increased chances of ice are on roads who are sheltered by for example forests, cliffs or other parts of the landscape. There are more chances of night-frost in still weather than in wind.

5.      The thermometer in the car – Drivers should not depend to much on the thermometer in the car as the temperature close to earth can be different than what the meter shows.  If the meter shows less than 4-5°C in still weather drivers need to be alert and keep in mind that ice can be form concurrent to precipitation (rain, snow etc.) or when the roads are wet.

Driving your rental in Iceland on icy gravel roads requires skills.Driving your rental in Iceland on icy gravel roads requires skills.

Icy gravel roads (unpaved roads) are dangerous

Many rural roads in Iceland are gravel roads, not suited for fast driving. During winter they can be icy as well. Please drive carefully as driving on ice is very different compared to dry surfaces. We recommend that you drive at the speed you feel comfortable with and let other drivers pass you rather than try to keep up with other drivers.

When a car comes from the opposite direction, slow down and pull out to the right side of the road. This can reduce risk of costly damages to paint and windshield from flying stones.

Be aware while driving your rental car in IcelandBe aware while driving your rental car in Iceland

Blinded by the sun

Sunny weather can be risky as the sun sits low in the sky during winter, often completely in the driver’s line of sight.

On snow covered roads the line markings can not be seen so you need to follow the yellow stick marks while driving your rental car in Iceland.On snow covered roads the line markings can not be seen so you need to follow the yellow stick marks while driving your rental car in Iceland.

Driving in snow

If the road lines are unclear, yellow sticks mark where the road lies. Snow removal services can be limited, and some roads might be closed temporarily. Always check road conditions.

Avoid driving your rental car into heavy snow as you may get stuck.Avoid driving your rental car into heavy snow as you may get stuck.

Heavy snow

Avoid roads with heavy snow as the vehicle will probably get stuck. Cost of rescue is high and can cause costly damage to the vehicle. It will also delay your trip.

Do not enter heavy snow areas in your rental car in Iceland.Do not enter heavy snow areas in your rental car in Iceland.

If stuck in snow

If stuck in snow – wiggle the car front and back without pressing the accelerator too hard. Have someone push the car back and forth, as you wiggle. Move snow away from the tyres and from underneath the car.

If there is no hope of getting the car out, please call for help. DO NOT LEAVE THE VEHICLE. The weather can change quickly preventing you from finding the vehicle again putting your life in danger.

When roads are blocked there is always a good reason for that so turn your rental car around and go back and check the forecast.When roads are blocked there is always a good reason for that so turn your rental car around and go back and check the forecast.

Road blocks

Roads can be blocked temporarily due to extreme road conditions, weather and snow. Please do not enter a road that is blocked as it may be dangerous and cause serious damage to your rental car. Please note that closed roads are not always blocked with signs. Always check information about road conditions before hitting the road.