Coming from Canada and have learned to drive in the Winter on icy roads. The best recommendation I find for slowing down is frist to be in Neutral if automatic or clutch pushed in if Manual.

Downshifting can help you slow down, but if it's too slippery, the rear wheels might lock and cause the rear end to swing. I do this all the time with the hand brake on my Civic when making turns on slippery roads. It's fun when planned and controlled.

If the backend starts to swing when you push on the gas, just let off the gas and counter steer, 9 times out of 10, you will be able to get it back straight.

As far as tires, keep all 4 the same, if not you won't get even braking which can cause you to spin.

I've had a few rear wheel drive vehicles, and the best thing for traction (besides good tires) is a lot of weight in the back. Since you're going on a trip, you'll have luggage, if you're luggage is light, put more weight like sand bags. Keeping the gas tank full makes more weight too.

And the most important thing, which you probably already know, braking distance increase significantly when it's slippery so plan ahead and start slowing down ahead of time when you need to stop.

As far as chains very few people use them on passenger vehicles for snow traction. Sure they help, but in most cases, it's not worth the effort to put them on. By that, I don't mean that they are useless, I mean that in most cases you can do without. Only snowplows and tractors use them because they need the extra traction to push heavy loads.

56kz2slow.