A pretreatment can be made prior to a storm, as long as the storm does not start out with above freezing temperatures and rain, washing the chemical away.

Benefits from liquid pretreatments can include higher friction and better pavement conditions early in a storm. These benefits are generally short-lived and should not be expected over a long period. Subsequent chemical applications should be made as soon as conditions begin to deteriorate. Pretreatments can be thought of as "buying time" in the early stages of a storm until subsequent chemical applications become effective.

In the case of early-storm treatment, the application may be made onto dry, wet, light slush, or lightly snow covered pavement. Late applications onto pavements with more than a light covering of slush or snow can result in excessive dilution of the chemical, lowering its effectiveness.

To prevent the formation of frost or black ice, the chemical should be applied before ice is expected to form so the water component of the chemical will evaporate or be removed by traffic action. This will leave only the chemical on the road surface and result in the greatest concentration when frost or black ice conditions would otherwise occur.

The use of a liquid pretreatment is questionable during an event which has rain prior to freezing temperatures due to potential loss of pretreatment material.