Driving across New Zealand in winter presents stunning sights of snowy mountains and fields of sleet. However, the cold weather poses unique risks to drivers unfamiliar with colder temperatures.
Black ice can be found in areas of New Zealand where temperatures reach sub-freezing levels, such as Otago or the Southland. It is highly slippery and must be avoided whenever possible. It is difficult to spot, and forms after light rain or by rivers and lakes.Â
Black ice can be avoided and managed with awareness and caution. Here’s what you need to know about black ice so you can take on your winter getaway with confidence.Â
What is Black Ice?
Black ice is a coating of thin, transparent ice along a road’s surface that forms in winter conditions. The ice is typically made after light rain in areas where the temperature is at zero degrees Celsius or under. It is called ‘black ice’ because of how well it blends in with the black asphalt road.Â
Black ice also does not form any bubbles or other signs that make it easy to spot. As the ice is transparent, it is difficult to see and can severely affect a driver’s safety on the road.Â
Is it Safe to Drive on Black Ice?
Driving on black ice is extremely unsafe and should be avoided wherever possible. As it is tricky to detect black ice, it is hard to safely avoid it while driving. Driving over black ice gives no traction, and a vehicle can lose all control when it drives over the ice.Â
It is best to avoid driving at all if you know there is black ice on the road. However, this is not always possible. If you are driving in areas where you suspect black ice may be present, be sure to drive with extreme caution.Â
Be aware that once ice has thawed there may be lingering patches of black ice on the road. Be sure to check the area around you before you get in your vehicle. Drive slowly and cautiously, and take a break if you feel uncomfortable
What Speed Should I Drive on Black Ice?
When winter driving in New Zealand, it is best to avoid driving on black ice at all, if possible. However, if there is no other choice, you should significantly reduce your speed if you know black ice is on the road. You should also drive slower if there is grit laid over the ice. You should also leave a four-second safety gap between yourself and other vehicles while driving.Â
If you hit black ice while driving, do not panic. Try to remain calm. Do not speed up, hit the brakes hard or make any sudden movements. Keep the steering wheel steady, and slowly take your foot off the accelerator. Turn your wheel in the direction of your slide to regain control.Â
Once you have regained control, pull over when it’s safe to do so. This will give you a chance to recuperate and wait for the ice to melt.Â
Where is Black Ice Found in New Zealand?
Black ice is found on New Zealand roads with sub-zero temperatures. Black ice usually forms after light rain at night or in the early morning before sunrise.Â
The ice is found in alpine areas, such as the Southern Alps, and colder areas with light snow like Otago and Southland. Bridges and overpasses are also common areas where black ice may form, as the cold air above and beneath the bridge makes the ice last longer.Â
Unused rural roads may also have black ice that lasts longer than usual, as less traffic results in less warmth and friction for the ice to melt. During the day, ice on the road may melt, but certain areas may still have black ice on the road.Â
If there are shaded areas along a road, black ice may not have melted because of the cover from sunlight. When driving in winter or alpine areas, be sure to look ahead carefully when driving. If you see other drivers braking or driving with extra care, there may be black ice present on the road. 
10 Tips for Driving on Black Ice
Stay aware of the potential risks of black ice and the best way to avoid them. Here are 10 tips for safely driving on black ice.Â
1. Avoid driving where possible
The best solution for dealing with black ice is to avoid it entirely. If you hit an area with a dense amount of black ice, you should safely pull over and wait for the ice to melt. Driving on roads with significant black ice is dangerous and should be avoided.Â
Not only is your vehicle at risk of hitting black ice, but another vehicle may also lose control due to the slippery roads. Even if you are aware of the conditions and tell-tale signs of black ice, patches will be hard to spot while your car is in motion.Â
However, sometimes driving on black ice can’t be avoided. Check the highway conditions on the road ahead before heading out on your journey, and try to avoid areas where black ice may have formed, such as near lakes or bridges.
2. Engine checks
Ensure your car is functioning normally before heading into any areas that could have black ice. Check if your coolant is at the right level, that your air conditioning/heating is working, and that you have a full tank and battery. When dealing with dangerous conditions like black ice, it’s important that your car is operating at its best.
It can be extremely dangerous to run out of fuel or be stranded in low-temperature conditions without heat. If your car uses a diesel engine, you may also need to use an alpine diesel mix.Â
3. Ensure you have visibility
When driving in winter, it is vital that you can see the road and other cars in front of you at all times. Before driving, ensure your windscreen, rear window, headlamps, and rearview mirrors are clear of dirt and debris. Keep your headlights on low beam while driving.Â
Differences in temperatures can cause your car window to fog up on the inside. Most vehicles have a demisting function. Turn on the air conditioning to begin defogging your car windows.Â
For a faster process, first blow cold air into your car cabin to dry it out. You may then adjust the temperature to your liking from there.Â
4. Check your tyres
 Before setting out in icy conditions, examine the depth of your tyre tread and ensure they have the legal minimum depth of 1.5 mm.Â
Having greater depth will help you drive on roads that may have black ice. You should also consider switching to winter tyres before hitting the road.
Be sure that your tyre pressure is also not too soft and not too hard for the best possible grip. Check your owner’s manual to see the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle.Â
5. Manage your speed carefully
Maintain a low, safe speed while driving on black ice roads. This will reduce your risk of hitting black ice or losing control of your vehicle. You will also ensure you can see the road ahead properly and give yourself time to react to any issues winter driving may cause.Â
Whether there is black ice on the road or not, it is best to avoid sudden accelerations on slippery roads. You can lose control of your car and cause unnecessary risk.Â
6. Drive smoothly
Drive smoothly and cautiously when you know there could be black ice on your path. Be gentle on the accelerator and the brakes. Keep your speed low and avoid sudden stops or sharp turns. Try to keep as straight as you can and drive predictably so others on the road can keep their distance.Â
If you feel stressed or fatigued from avoiding black ice, take a break by pulling over when it is safe to do so.
7. Maintain a safe following distance
Even if you are experienced in icy conditions, other drivers may not be. Keep a safe following distance from any vehicle in front of you or behind you. The New Zealand Road Code suggests keeping at least four seconds of space between you and other drivers when driving in adverse weather conditions.
The gap will give you and other drivers more time to react if any vehicle slips or hits black ice. It also accommodates for the longer braking times wet and slippery roads have.Â
8. Don’t use snow chains
When you are driving on roads with black ice, snow chains are typically not appropriate. The black ice is thin and usually only forms in random patches. This means using snow chains is likely to cause damage to your car and to the road.
However, roads with black ice may have greater amounts of snow and ice at different points on your journey. In these cases, snow chains may be required to drive safely. Having snow chains in your vehicle is also a legal requirement on certain roads at certain times.Â
Check our guide on snow chains to see if they are required for your journey.Â
9. Use lower gears on inclines
If you are driving a manual, lower gear can help you control the car better when going uphill. Lower gears are easier on the tyres, giving them more stability and grip. It is better to switch to low gear when going downhill instead of constantly braking, which may wear out your brakes and generally give you less control.Â
10. Use headlights
If you are driving in poor visibility, such as during snowy or icy weather, you must ensure you are visible to other cars. Turn on your headlights to see the road better, and so other cars know where you are on the road. If you are not visible enough, other drivers cannot adjust to your speed, or keep a safe distance away from you.Â
When driving on black ice, a lack of awareness of other vehicles is extremely dangerous. In most cases, your headlights should be on low beam. Using high-beam headlights may cause glare or excessive brightness.Â
The Best Cars for Driving On Black Ice
The best cars for driving on black ice are all-wheel drives (AWD) and four-wheel drives (4WD). AWD and 4WD cars provide better traction while on slippery roads and use tyres with greater grip.Â
These vehicles also have added weight that can increase control in snowy conditions. However, it is still recommended to lower speed and drive cautiously in a 4WD or AWD.
GO rentals offer spacious and safe 4WD/AWDs suitable for your winter road trip. Our car rental fleet includes reliable models such as the Toyota RAV4 AWD, the Toyota Highlander 4×4 and the Ford Wildtrak 4×4.Â
How to Check for Road Closures in New Zealand
Road closures across New Zealand will be announced on the New Zealand Transport Agency’s website. Be sure to check regularly for updates. You can also check the official highway conditions tool to plan your journey before it starts.Â
Further road closures and traffic information may be announced on local radio channels. Be sure to stay tuned for important updates and other traffic news.Â
GO Safely on Black Ice
A winter adventure across New Zealand is an exciting opportunity for an incredible getaway. GO Rentals has a versatile fleet of 4WD and AWD vehicles suitable for tackling alpine roads in style and comfort.
All our vehicles come with GO Basic Insurance coverage, with further insurance options available. All GO Rental hires also come with our Total Road Care package.
This $ 3-a-day fee covers 24/7 roadside assistance, so you can relax knowing you can get the help you need if anything should happen. The Total Road Care package also covers the costs of toll road travel and government road taxes.
Book a trip through a winter wonderland with a GO Rentals vehicle today.
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