The Winter Driving Trick Police Swear By and Why a Simple Jar of Salt Can Save Your Day

It was an icy morning when a police officer pulled over to help me, my tires spinning helplessly on a glassy patch of roadway. Instead of recommending expensive gear or complicated tools, he offered a surprisingly simple tip: “Keep a jar of salt in your car.” What sounded almost too simple ended up becoming one of the most useful winter hacks I’ve ever learned—one that can turn stressful, slippery mornings into manageable moments of control.

Sprinkling salt beneath your tires works because salt lowers the freezing point of water, melting the thin sheet of ice that prevents your wheels from gripping the road. It’s the same science road crews rely on when they treat highways during storms. Just a handful beneath stuck tires can create enough traction to get you moving safely again. And the usefulness doesn’t stop there—salt mixed with a bit of water can be wiped onto your windshield the night before a freeze, preventing thick frost from forming and making scraping a breeze the next morning.

Salt also moonlights as a surprisingly handy tool inside your car. An open jar absorbs excess moisture and helps neutralize odors from damp shoes, spills, or gym gear. Sprinkle some on a fresh spill and it draws out liquid before it soaks in, preventing stains and musty smells. For something so inexpensive and easy to store, salt proves itself far more versatile than most people ever expect.

While it can’t replace quality winter tires or emergency equipment, a simple jar of salt can make a real difference during sudden icy conditions. It’s cheap, practical, and endlessly useful—a small addition to your winter toolkit that can save you time, trouble, and stress. As the temperature drops and winter driving challenges return, consider tossing a jar of salt into your trunk. It may be the quiet little lifesaver you never knew you needed.