Winter on the roads: roadside assistance in snow ice and cold

For many car assistance firms winter is the busiest time of year. Cold weakens cars that were already borderline icy roads create more accidents and darkness makes both driving and road work more dangerous. Understanding how winter affects both vehicles and you is an important part of professionalism.

§The cold and the battery

A car battery's ability to deliver power drops markedly when the temperature falls. At the same time a cold engine requires more power to start because the oil is thicker and the engine harder to turn. So it is no coincidence that 'flat battery' is one of the most common reasons for winter callouts — a battery that managed fine all summer simply cannot deliver enough power on a frosty morning. Jumpstarting is therefore one of the most used tools in the winter months.

§Tires and legal requirements for winter driving

The tires are the car's only road contact and in winter the requirements increase. From July 1, 2025, it's illegal to drive with summer tires when there's winter conditions — that is when there's snow, ice, slush, or frost on the road. The law requires at minimum tires with M+S marking (Mud and Snow) under winter conditions while the Danish Transport Authority recommends tires with 3PMSF marking (snowflake symbol) in harsh winter conditions such as persistent frost, snow, and icy roads. The legally required minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm but professionals recommend replacement already at 3-4 mm because a worn tire loses much of its grip on wet or icy roads.

§Your own safety increases in risk

Winter does not only make cars more vulnerable — it also makes your work at the roadside more dangerous. Shorter days mean you often work in the dark where you are harder to see. Slippery roads significantly extend other drivers' braking distance which means that marking and distance to moving traffic becomes even more important than usual. Snow and slush can reduce visibility for both you and the approaching drivers.

• 01Use extra time on marking in darkness and poor weather — place warning triangles and lights earlier.
• 02Calculate that other drivers take longer to brake on slippery roads.
• 03Keep yourself warm and flexible — cold makes fingers slow and attention dull.
• 04Be extra alert to your own balance on ice and snow when carrying equipment or working under the car.

§Frozen locks and other winter-specific tasks

Beyond the classic flat-battery call, winter brings its own, smaller tasks: frozen door locks and frozen windows, a car stuck in snow, or a car driven into a ditch due to slippery conditions. Many of these tasks can be solved quickly with the right experience and the right equipment — lock de-icing, shovel and non-slip mats are just as important equipment in winter as booster cables and a jack.

Winter tests both your technical knowledge and your ability to work safely under difficult conditions. The roadside assistant who respects both the cold and slippery roads — and never takes a shortcut with safety to move forward faster — is the one who gets through the season well.