Unless you’re deliberately going off-roading, driving in snowy winter weather is never fun. Besides the cold temperatures that tax our cars’ systems, slippery roads due to ice and snow equal poor traction, compounded by reduced visibility, can quickly send you spinning into a snowbank or off the road.
Being prepared for these frustrating and scary situations can help lower the risk of getting stuck and help keep you safe if you do while increasing the likelihood of getting unstuck. Ahead, a veteran driver’s education instructor will share practical tips on how to keep on the road and what to do if your car gets stuck in the snow.
What To Do When Your Car Gets Stuck In Snow
First, check that the tailpipe is clear and not blocked with snow. Deadly carbon monoxide can build up inside your vehicle if the exhaust pipe is blocked. “If your car gets stuck in snow, stay calm. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers, then look around to determine if your car is in a safe locationnot in the middle of the road or in traffic,” says certified driving instructor Steve Norman.
DIY Methods
Clean snow away from the tires
“To help the tires regain traction, use a shovel (or your hands, cardboard, floor mat, or whatever you have at hand) to clear snow from around the tires,” Norman says. If you have kitty litter, sand, salt, tire chains, floor mat, or even a short piece of 2×4 (I.E., traction aids), place it around the drive wheels (front or rear) to help increase traction.
Rock the car
“Shift between drive (low gear) and reverse in short intervals, then gently accelerate each time, but don’t keep spinning the wheels,” says Norman.
Try gently turning the steering wheel left and right as you move forward. This can help the tires find a path out of the snow. If you gain a little traction and have traction aids, now’s the time to use them. Then, try to accelerate slowly to get unstuck.
Do not keep spinning the tires. “Spinning the tires too much can make a bad situation worse,” says Norman. In my over 50 years of experience as an ASE and GM Master Technician and Automotive Technology instructor, I have had to repair or replace hundreds of (expensive) transmissions, differential and drivetrain gearsets, axles and bearings due to overheating caused by drivers recklessly spinning the wheels when stuck in snow.
Lower tire pressure
Letting air out of your tires increases tread surface area. Once you get unstuck, “it is important to quickly reinflate the tires to their proper pressure,” says Norman
Get help to push you out
Ask for help to physically push your car out of the snow. Safety First! Ensure the area is safe, away from traffic and not too slippery. Have helpers push in only one direction. For example, they could stand behind the car and only push forward while slowly applying the throttle in “low” gear.
Use a tow strap
Only if you have experience and feel confident, you could try using a tow strap connected to a “helper” vehicle to help pull you if your vehicle is stuck in the snow.
Always inspect any tow strap for damage, and be sure it is rated for the weight of your car before using it. Norman suggests you “connect one end of the strap to the [helper vehicle] tow hitch or frame and the other end to your car’s tow hook or frame. Clear the area in case the strap breaks, then have the [helper] vehicle pull you slowly and steadily while you keep the wheels straight. Once free, gently press on the accelerator to slowly move away from where your car got stuck in snow. Don’t spin the tires and be sure not to yank the strap suddenly, as this can damage both vehicles. Once free, carefully remove the strap then drive to a safe area and check both vehicles for damage.”
When To Call a Tow Truck
Call a tow truck if you don’t have traction aids to help you get unstuck, especially if you’re in a dangerous or isolated location, such as a busy road or intersection, have slid off the road into a ditch, or your vehicle is damaged. Norman said, “If all of the DIY methods failed to get you unstuck, and you’re feeling exhausted and frightened, call a tow truck and let the pros deal with the situation.”
How To Prevent Your Car From Getting Stuck in Snow
Preparation and caution are central to preventing getting stuck in snow. It is recommended to:
- Keep your car maintained and prepared for winter driving, including inspecting the tires for wear and damage and proper inflation, the windshield washer solvent reservoir is full, all filters are clean and fluids are full, and the battery, belts and hoses are in good condition
- Keep traction aids and supplies (a winter survival kit is best) in the trunk.
- Clear snow and ice from your windows, roof, hood, lights, mirrors, and windshield wipers, and defog the windshield before heading out.
- Drive cautiously and slowly, avoid sudden braking, deep snow and snow drifts, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Keeping your gas tank at least half full prevents the gas line from freezing, plus the added weight can help improve traction on slippery roads.
- Keep your cell phone fully charged.
- Consider installing winter tires or at least all-weather tires on your vehicle.
FAQ
Will AAA pull you out of the snow?
Yes. If your membership includes Roadside Assistance, AAA will pull you out of the snow. However, according to AAA, “all road surfaces leading to the vehicle must be safely accessible. Safety is determined by the AAA representative on the scene. All vehicles must be clear of ice and snow.” Check your AAA membership benefits to determine your exact coverage.
Can you pour hot water on your tires if your car is stuck?
No. Both Norman and I do not recommend doing this. “Pouring hot water on ice-cold tires can cause thermal shock,” says Norman. This can cause tires to fracture or even rupture. Norman added, “Even hot water will quickly refreeze in cold winter temperatures [causing ice to form around your tires], making your situation worse, not better.”
Should you turn off traction control when your car is stuck in snow?
Yes, you should. Turning off traction control allows the drivetrain to send more power to the drive wheels and also gives you more control over wheel spin when you’re stuck in snow. Traction control prevents wheels from spinning. Some wheel spin allows tires to create a small groove in the snow or even get the tire down, touching the road surface. This may provide just enough traction to help free the car. Remember to activate the traction control system once you’re back on the road.
About the Expert
Steve Norman, M.Ed., has taught driver’s education in both the public and private sectors for over 15 years. He is a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and PA Dept. of Transportation (PennDOT) certified classroom, and behind the wheel driving instructor. As well as a driver’s license examiner. Steve is currently teaching physical education at Manavon Elementary School, Phoenixville Area School District.
Sources
- Joe Simes, ASE and Toyota Master Technician, and former deputy fire chief and training officer of Montgomery Country, PA (retired). (Interview, Jan 9, 2025)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service: “What To Do If You’re Caught in a Winter Storm” (Jan 6, 2025)
- AAA Automotive: “7 Tips on How To Get Unstuck From Snow” (Jan 7, 2025)
- AAA Club Membership Alliance: “AAA Rules of the Road” (Jan 7, 2025)
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