Winter weather can be harsh. The beautiful scenes of winter quickly lose their allure when you are knee-deep in the snow trying to free your car stuck in snow. Car stuck in the snow is a common issue for most car owners, and it can be frustrating and sometimes dangerous. Knowing how to get a car unstuck from the snow can save you time, energy, and money, and prevent potential damage to your car.
How to Get Your Car Out of Snow
Freeing a car that is stuck in snow requires careful preparation and safety measures to avoid damaging your car or injuring yourself. To commence removing your car from snow, be sure to assess the situation by checking the depth of the snow, the positioning of your car, and the current weather conditions. In addition, gather the necessary tools to aid snow removal and ensure you are properly dressed for clearing snow to protect yourself from harm. This guide will show you how to get your car unstuck from snow.
Use a Shovel
You know you are officially in a “car is stuck in snow” situation when no matter how hard you hit the gas your car won’t budge. It's time to pull out the shovel. Clearing the snow around the tires is necessary to free your car from snow. Dig the snow from the front, back, and underneath the drive tires. Clear a path long enough to make the wheels move back and forth for a few inches. In addition, clear the snow from under the car focusing on areas where the snow is packed tightly.
To avoid straining while shoveling, select the right shovel. Use a snow shovel with a sturdy handle and flat blade, preferably a metal shovel. When shoveling, push the snow away from the tires rather than lifting it, and remove the snow in smaller amounts. This technique makes shoveling snow less tiring and easier on your back.
Create Traction
You’ve done the digging but still can't get your car unstuck from the snow? Add tractions. Creating tractions helps free a car stuck in the snow. You’ll need sand, kitty litter, salt, or any other item that is granular and gritty that can increase traction under your tires. Place any of these items underneath the car tires, in front of and behind the tires, and slowly accelerate to move the car. When using sand or kitty litter spread generously around the tires. However, use salt sparingly, sprinkling over the icy patch to create a rough surface.
When in a pinch, other items like floor mats, snow chains, cardboards, sticks and branches, wooden boards, and household items such as old blankets, rugs, and towels can serve as alternative items for traction. These items provide traction, something for the tires to grip onto.
Rock The Car
So you've dug out the car tires, sprinkled kitty liters, or even sacrificed your floor mats, and the car still won't budge. It's time to rock your way out of the snow. Rocking the car is a technique to free cars stuck in the snow. Start by engaging the proper gear. For automatic transmission, use the lowest gear, usually “D1” of “L1” and the first gear for moving forward and reversing for manual transmission. Start gently, and press the accelerator to move the car forward. Once the car stops, shift into reverse and press the accelerator to move the car backward. Shift smoothly between forward and reverse gears. Repeat the process, increasing the length of each motion gradually. Be patient and gentle with the acceleration, avoid spinning the wheels to create ruts, and reduce traction. Listen to the engine and give the car a break if the engine starts overheating, which can damage the engine and transmission.
Deflate Tires Slightly
Another option to free a car stuck in the snow is to release air gradually from the tires. Slightly deflating your car tires helps them sag, increasing the surface area in contact with the ground, enhancing the tire grip, and improving the traction, which helps to free a car that is stuck in snow. To deflate the tire use a small tool to press the valve stem and release the air slowly. Be sure to continuously check the tire pressure, aiming to lower the pressure by 5-10 psi. After the car is free, reinflate the tires immediately to the manufacturer's recommended pressure, as driving with deflated tires can cause excessive tire wear and potential damage to the tire structure.
Use Snow Chains or Tire Socks
Still stuck? Snow chains and tire socks are valuable tools for freeing a car stuck in snow. Install the chains or socks by draping them over the tire and fastening them with hooks on the outside. Drive a short distance after installation then stop to check the tension and fit. Remove the chains or socks once you reach a clear dry road. Snow chains and tire socks grip the snow better than the tire, reducing slipping and increasing the braking performance.
Get Assistance
When your car is stuck in snow, getting help is the most convenient and reliable thing. You can seek help from passersby or use a top rope if available. Passersby can assist in pushing the car when the car is stuck in snow. Also, using a tow rope can help in getting the car unstuck from snow. Secure the tow rope on the vehicle's tow point to that of the towing vehicle tow point. The towing van moves, helping to unstick the car stuck in the snow.
Getting your car stuck in snow can be a frustrating and challenging experience. However, with the right preparation, tools, and techniques you can efficiently free your car. By carrying essential tools, you can dig, create traction, rock the car, install chains or tire socks, deflate the tires, or seek tow assistance, to free your car. By following the practical steps outlined in this guide you can effectively tackle any car stuck in the snow situation with confidence.
