How to Free a Car Stuck on Ice or Snow

By eHow Cars Editor

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Drivers living in snowy regions quickly become pros at maneuvering cars through deep snow. The rest of us may need a little help freeing a car that gets stuck in snow. Try these maneuvers, one at a time.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Sand, Salt, Dirt, Cat Litter or a Piece of Carpet
Shovel
Several People to Help Push

Step1

Put the transmission into four-wheel drive (if your car has it).

Step2

Shift into the lowest gear available.

Step3

If the car won't go forward, put it into reverse and try backing up.

Step4

Turn the steering wheel slightly and try driving in a different direction.

Step5

Grab your shovel and remove as much snow as you can from in front of all the wheels.

Step6

Determine which wheel(s) are slipping by having a friend look at the wheels while you step on the accelerator. Place sand, salt, dirt, cat litter or a piece of old carpet in front of the slipping wheel(s).

Step7

Ask friends or passersby to push while you slowly depress the gas pedal. Make sure nobody is standing in front of the car. Be careful--accelerating too much makes the tires spin and heats up the snow underneath, turning it into ice.

Step8

Be prepared to steer and brake after your wheels gain traction.

Tips & Warnings

Establish clear signals between the people pushing the car and the driver to avoid dangerous misunderstandings. You don't want to accidently hit someone.

Comments

poster said

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on 11/28/2007 These are all good comments. Remember don't force anything. If you do a lot of flooring it you will make your own grand canyon. Once you get going again keep steady and smooth on the gas to avoid this again.

Boothy said

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on 1/15/2007 UM people snow is dangerous. First off decide if you really have to go, not only is there the risk of you running off the road and hitting something, there is also the risk of somebody running into you! Ok so if you really have to go you want maximum traction, snow chains help and in some areas are required, make sure before you need to use them for the first time you practice putting them on. Nothing worse than being out in the cold with no idea how to use them! Once in your car, prepare yourself. Start engine and put into low range 4wd. When you take off make all movements smooth and steady, too much throttle or brake will break traction and this is when you run into trouble. Also turning the steering wheel too fast may cause problems too. Just remember is you lose traction you also lose steering. It's all about common sense, if you don't need to go DON'T

outdoorperson said

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on 10/23/2006 start the day with chains and avoid problems..

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 #1: If you're helping to push the vehicle out of the rut, be careful to not get run over by the vehicle. If the vehicle is stuck, that's likely due to poor traction, but if you're able to push it, then you likely do have good traction. If the vehicle is sliding all around and you're not, then there's the possibility of getting run over.

#2: Be careful of getting hit by objects placed under wheels (which are then successively sent flying). This is why putting a mat and/or rug down is much safer than using plywood or other wooden boards. I've actually seen a piece of plywood sent flying from under the rear tire of a vehicle which was stuck in the snow. Imagine the physical harm which could result by being hit by that.

Anonymous said

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on 6/30/2006 I got stuck on ice. I tried everything, low gear rocking etc. I didn't have FWD. We took out our car mats and placed them in front of the wheels. Worked perfect.

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