What to Do If Your Car Gets Stuck in the Snow

Getting your car stuck in snow can be frustrating and stressful, but acting calmly and systematically will help you free your vehicle safely. Before attempting to drive out, your top priorities must be personal safety, preventing carbon monoxide poisoning, and avoiding damage to your car transmission.

Immediate Safety Actions

Before attempting any driving maneuvers, take these critical safety steps:

• Clear the exhaust pipe: Ensure snow, slush, or ice is completely cleared away from your vehicle tailpipe. A blocked exhaust can force deadly carbon monoxide into the car interior while the engine is running.
• Assess your surroundings: Turn on your hazard lights immediately so other drivers can see you clearly. If you are stuck near an active traffic lane, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until it is safe to exit.
• Stay with your car in a storm: If you are stuck in a remote area during a heavy snowstorm or blizzard, remain inside your vehicle. Your car provides shelter and makes it much easier for emergency rescuers to locate you.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Free Your Car

1. Clear a path around the tires: Use a shovel, ice scraper, or sturdy tool to dig out snow from directly in front of and behind all four tires. Clear away snow underneath the car frame if the belly of the vehicle is high-centered on a drift.
2. Disable traction control: Press your vehicle traction control button to turn it off temporarily. Traction control reduces engine power when wheels slip, which prevents you from gaining momentum in deep snow.
3. Straighten your steering wheel: Keep your front wheels pointed straight ahead. Turned wheels add extra resistance when attempting to move out of a rut.
4. Apply traction materials: Spread sand, kitty litter, salt, or dirt directly in front of and behind the drive wheels. If you do not have these, place your rubber floor mats or heavy cardboard flat against the base of the tires.
5. Use the rocking technique: Shift into the lowest gear (or Low/1 in an automatic). Gently press the accelerator to move forward slightly, then shift into Reverse to roll back. Repeat this rhythm steadily to build momentum. Avoid spinning your tires rapidly, as high friction melts snow into slick ice and can damage your transmission.
6. Drive out smoothly: Once the car catches traction and starts moving, maintain steady, gentle pressure on the gas pedal until you reach clear pavement or solid ground.

What NOT to Do

• Do not spin the tires aggressively: Flooring the accelerator spins wheels at high speed, which digs deeper ruts and can destroy your tires or transmission.
• Do not expose yourself to extreme cold: Avoid working outside the vehicle without warm winter clothing, gloves, and a hat. Exertion in freezing temperatures increases the risk of hypothermia.
• Do not run the engine continuously while stationary: If stranded for an extended period, run the engine for only 10 minutes per hour to conserve fuel and stay warm, while keeping a window cracked slightly open.

When to Call for Professional Help

If your car remains stuck after several attempts, or if the underside of the vehicle is resting solidly on hard-packed snow, stop attempting to drive out. Call professional roadside assistance or a local towing service. If you are in immediate danger due to extreme temperatures, medical distress, or severe weather conditions, contact local emergency services immediately.