Who would want to wear an on-fire suit?
Um, you don't weigh down the back of a front-wheel-drive car to improve traction on the slippery stuff: if anything, it will make matters worse, because it's shifting the weight away from the driven wheels. Lose the cat litter.
First check your state, county and/or city codes. Some spell it right out for you.
All season tires are not a snow and ice tire, just because there is more tread on them it won't make a difference on ice, on snow then you may notice a little difference over your old worn ones because the snow allows the tires to bite into it. Also the tires they sold you may be a harder rubber compound to increase tire life which in turn makes them even worse on ice as they can't confirm to the shape of the road as easily. Get some proper snow and ice tires, studded if allowed in your area and you will notice a world of difference. Lose the kitty litter as well it is just making you problem worse unless you put it forward of the rear axle then it will give you slightly more weight on the front axle. Don't bother pumping the brakes either, if it's an 02 neon it should have ABS and pumping them will only increase your stopping distance, just firm pedal pressure is all you need.
