On Friday 9 January 2026, Automobile Club Luxembourg (ACL) published ten practical tips for safe winter driving, as snow, ice and low temperatures continue to pose challenging road conditions across the country.

According to the ACL, its roadside assistance service has been under heavy demand, with more than 200 call-outs per day recorded earlier this week, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle preparation and cautious driving during winter conditions.

Winter tyres are mandatory
In Luxembourg, winter tyres are required in icy conditions, slush, compacted snow or frost, regardless of the season. Tyres must be marked “M+S”, “M.S.”, “M&S” or with the Alpine symbol. For optimal grip, the ACL recommends a minimum tread depth of 4 mm. Tyres with the deepest tread should be fitted on the rear axle to improve vehicle stability, particularly when cornering.

Fully clear the vehicle of snow and ice
Before every journey, all windows must be free of ice and snow to ensure unrestricted visibility. Lights and number plates must also remain visible. Winter equipment should include an ice scraper, de-icing spray, antifreeze for the windscreen washer system and de-icer for locks or the fuel flap. Letting the engine idle unnecessarily to warm up is prohibited by law and is harmful both to the environment and the engine. Door seals can be protected from freezing with glycerine or candle wax. Windscreen wipers should be carefully freed from the windscreen and replaced if necessary.

Adapt speed to road conditions
Ice can form beneath a layer of snow, significantly reducing tyre grip. The ACL therefore recommends consistently adjusting speed to conditions, keeping a much greater safety distance and allowing more time for journeys in winter conditions.

Drive calmly and in a controlled manner
All steering movements should be smooth and gentle to allow tyres to build grip progressively. Sudden acceleration, abrupt braking or risky overtaking manoeuvres increase the risk of losing control on slippery roads.

Allow for longer braking distances
On snow or ice, braking distances can increase up to fourfold. Anticipatory driving is therefore particularly important. Vehicles equipped with ABS should be braked in an emergency with the brake pedal fully depressed to maintain steering control. In general, drivers should reduce speed and remain below the permitted maximum.

Start carefully on inclines
When pulling away on snow-covered roads, especially on inclines, acceleration should be slow and steady to avoid loss of traction.

Use the correct gear
For manual transmission vehicles, the ACL recommends shifting into a higher gear early on snow to keep engine revs low. Automatic vehicles should use snow mode, if available, to maintain optimal traction.

Switch off cruise control
Cruise control should be deactivated on snowy or slippery roads, as it can negatively affect vehicle control.

Avoid icy downhill sections
On icy roads, the ACL advises avoiding steep downhill sections where possible, as there is a particularly high risk of skidding.

Switch on lights manually
During snowfall, the ACL recommends switching on vehicle lights manually even during the day, as automatic lighting systems do not always respond reliably to diffuse light conditions.

The ACL added that preparing vehicles for winter conditions and adapting driving behaviour accordingly remain essential. The automobile club stressed that appropriate speed, good preparation and anticipatory driving can significantly reduce the risk of breakdowns and accidents on winter roads.