How to Get a Car Unstuck from the Snow in Winter
Winter driving presents unique challenges, especially when your car gets stuck in the snow. Whether you’re dealing with deep snow on the highway or a snowbank in your driveway, knowing how to free your vehicle is essential.
This guide provides step-by-step advice, strategies, and useful tips on how to safely get your car unstuck from the snow, ensuring you don’t damage your vehicle in the process.
Assess the Situation
Before attempting to free your car, it’s important to evaluate the situation calmly. Check the depth of the snow around your tires and determine whether it’s fresh powder or compacted snow.
Fresh snow is easier to navigate than heavy, wet snow. Also, check the ground beneath the snow—if it’s ice, you may need different strategies.
Safety First
- Turn on lights to alert other drivers.
- Make sure your tailpipe is clear of snow to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If the car is in a hazardous position, consider calling for roadside assistance.
Move forward:
If you want to avoid getting stuck in the snow, keep moving. As soon as you begin to slide off the road, keep your momentum going until you reach a place that is clear and safe. You should keep moving even if you get stuck, since constant movement is better than standing still.
Avoid spinning your wheels:
The situation will only become worse if you spin your wheels when your car stuck in the snow. When you’re on solid ground, you’ll dig yourself deeper by stomping on the gas pedal and spinning your wheels. Take a moment to reassess the situation before moving forward.
Ensure proper power is applied:
When you get your car stuck in the snow, you should use your accelerator pedal with finesse. It is important not to overpower your tires or cause them to spin by using the throttle excessively. In some situations, even a little bit of power can help you.
Switch to low gear:
In the case of automatic transmissions, you should make sure that you are in the lowest gear. If you drive a manual transmission, shifting to 3rd or 4th gear can give you more control over the snow-covered tires.
Disable the traction control:
The traction control system can prove helpful in most situations, but can also hinder your efforts when dealing with snow.
By turning off traction control, you can spin your tires without having the onboard computer interfere. If you use too much power, it may cause your tires to spin and dig you further into the ground.
Rock Back and Forth:
The “rocking” maneuver is a classic way to release a stuck car from the snow. By rolling forward with the engine, shifting into reverse, rolling backward, and shifting into drive again to roll forward.
You may need to repeat this process several times to gain momentum and get out of your rut. Although automatic transmission owners have a better chance of success with this technique, manual transmission owners can also use it if they have a little coordination.
Clear Snow Around the Tires
The first and most effective way to free your vehicle is to remove as much snow as possible from around the tires, under the car, and in front of and behind the tires. This helps the tires gain traction on the road surface.
Tools You Can Use:
- Snow Shovel: A folding or compact shovel is ideal for clearing snow around the tires.
- Snow Brush or Ice Scraper: In the absence of a shovel, a snow brush can help clear lighter snow, especially near the tires.
- Your Hands: If you have no tools, even using your hands to move the snow can be helpful.
Follow this process:
- Turn off your engine and get out of the car.
- Clear the snow away from all four tires, focusing on both the front and rear of the drive tires (the tires that propel the car—usually the front two for front-wheel drive cars or the rear two for rear-wheel drive vehicles).
- Also clear the snow from under the car’s body to ensure that the vehicle isn’t resting directly on snow, which can create drag and make it harder to move.
Rock the Car
Once the area around the tires is clear, one of the most effective methods to get a car unstuck is to gently rock it back and forth. This technique involves shifting between drive and reverse to create a rocking motion, allowing you to build momentum and break free from the snow.
How to Rock the Car:
- Start the engine and put your car in the lowest gear.
- Apply gentle pressure on the accelerator to move the car forward a little bit.
- Immediately shift to reverse and gently accelerate again to move the car backward.
- Repeat the process, alternating between forward and reverse.
Tips:
- Don’t press the gas pedal too hard; spinning the wheels may dig your tires deeper into the snow.
- Be patient and try rocking the car for several minutes before giving up on this method.
Increase Traction
If rocking the car alone doesn’t work, the next step is to improve the traction beneath your tires. When your tires can’t grip the ground, the car will remain stuck. There are several items you can use to improve traction.
What You Can Use for Traction:
- Sand, Kitty Litter, or Salt: These materials can be sprinkled around the tires to give them extra grip. Sand works particularly well, while salt can also help melt some of the surrounding snow and ice.
- Car Mats: Placing your floor mats under the tires (textured side up) can help your tires gain traction. However, make sure to retrieve them once the car is free.
- Cardboard or Wood Planks: If available, these can be placed under the tires to offer traction. Make sure they are positioned directly under the tires.
- Traction Aids: If you’re in an area prone to snow, you can buy specially designed traction aids, such as tire chains or emergency traction mats.
How to Apply Traction Materials:
- Spread your chosen material around the drive wheels.
- Get back into the car, shift to drive or reverse (depending on which way you are trying to move), and accelerate slowly. The added friction should help get your car moving.
Let Air Out of the Tires
Lowering the tire pressure can increase the tire’s surface area, giving it more grip. However, this should only be done if you have a way to reinflate your tires afterward (e.g., a portable air pump).
Steps to Deflate Tires:
- Unscrew the valve caps on your drive tires.
- Press the valve core gently to release some air. You only need to reduce the pressure slightly—around 3-5 psi.
- After deflating, try to drive out of the snow using the rocking method or added traction.
Caution:
- Don’t deflate the tires too much. Driving with underinflated tires can damage them, and you’ll need to reinflate them once you’re unstuck.
Use a Towing Strap
If the above techniques fail and someone else is around to help, a towing strap may be the solution. Attach the strap to a tow hook or a secure part of your car’s frame and have the other vehicle gently pull you out.
Steps for Towing:
- Locate the tow hook on your vehicle. Many cars have a tow hook at the front or back, often covered by a small plastic panel.
- Attach the tow strap securely to the hook.
- Coordinate with the other driver. They should accelerate gently to avoid damaging either vehicle.
- Once the car is moving, carefully steer to avoid getting stuck again.
Use Snow Chains or Winter Tires
One of the best ways to avoid getting stuck in the snow altogether is by preparing your vehicle with snow chains or winter tires. Snow chains provide extra traction, especially in deep snow, while winter tires are designed with specific tread patterns to grip snow and ice better than regular tires.
Installing Snow Chains:
- Pull over to a safe spot, preferably before getting stuck.
- Lay the chains flat and drive your car over them so they wrap around the tires.
- Secure the chains according to the manufacturer’s instructions, making sure they are tight.
- Drive slowly with the chains on to avoid damaging your tires or vehicle.
Winter tires, on the other hand, should be installed before winter begins. These tires are made from rubber compounds designed to stay flexible at low temperatures, improving traction in snow and ice.
Call for Assistance
If all else fails, it’s important to know when to call for help. If your car remains stuck despite your efforts, don’t hesitate to contact roadside assistance, a towing service, or a friend with a suitable vehicle.
Prevention Tips for the Future
While knowing how to get unstuck from the snow is valuable, preventing the problem from happening in the first place is even better. Here are some tips to help avoid getting stuck in the snow:
Equip Your Vehicle:
- Winter Tires: Make sure your car is fitted with snow or winter tires if you live in an area prone to snow.
- Carry Emergency Gear: Always keep a snow shovel, a bag of sand or kitty litter, and a towing strap in your car during the winter months.
- Keep Chains Handy: If you’re traveling in snowy conditions, carry snow chains or tire traction devices with you.
Practice Safe Driving:
- Drive Slowly: In snowy conditions, reduce your speed to maintain control of the vehicle.
- Avoid Over-Accelerating: Sudden bursts of speed can cause your wheels to spin and dig deeper into the snow.
- Use Four-Wheel Drive (if available): If your car has four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, engage it when driving in snow. This distributes power to all four tires, improving traction.
Conclusion
Getting a car unstuck from the snow can be a frustrating experience, but with the right techniques and tools, you can resolve the issue efficiently and safely. By following the steps outlined in this guide, including clearing snow around the tires, rocking the vehicle, adding traction, and using emergency tools like snow chains or a tow strap, you’ll be better prepared to handle the challenges of winter driving.
Always prioritize safety and, when in doubt, seek professional help to prevent damage to your vehicle. With proper preparation and cautious driving, you can significantly reduce the chances of getting stuck in the first place.