Comments on: How to Free a Car Stuck on Ice or Snow

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.

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

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

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.

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.

on 3/28/2006 Before you panic, try using what you have available. I prefer kitty litter to get me off of ice, but also found that sheets of newspaper would provide my car enough traction to get away from the icy spots. Picking the paper back up was a different story.

on 3/11/2006 If you have or can find some sheets of cardboard or similar, e.g. a flattened box, try wedging them in front of the tires. The spinning wheel should drag them down a bit and give enough traction to move out of the dug-in spot. Beware the possibility of the cardboard flying out behind.

on 3/8/2006 Decrease the PSI and you get more traction. But only if you have an air compressor and can fill your tires again -- don't go on the highway with low tire pressure!

on 3/8/2006 Old newspapers will help tires gain traction to get out of a rut. Old floor mats or old household door mats work really good as well.

on 1/9/2006 The best thing to do is: don't go out on the road if you are having to read something like this. Just wait out the storm and give the clean up crew enough time to plow the roads.

on 11/22/2005 More than once I made the grave mistake of realizing that I was stuck and then just hitting the gas to try to get out. It a scarry feeling when you feel your wheels spin deeper into the snow. Just clear snow away from the tires and take your time moving back and forth and most times you will get your self out.

on 11/22/2005 Try rocking the vehicle. Move forward as much as you can, then let the vehicle slide back. As the vehicle moves forward again, hit the gas and go with the momentum. In heavy snow areas, a small shovel and snow brush are great to keep in your trunk (in case you are stuck far from home). Fill a glass mason jar with rock salt and keep it in your trunk, too.

on 11/22/2005 First, set your parking brake (but not too solidly). This keeps the wheels from spinning freely, and it will put just enough "hold" on the wheel to transfer some of the power to the opposite wheels. Next, put the car into gear. It's okay to use 4 wheel drive, but you should not put the car into its lowest gear. Use your highest gear (for example, "drive" rather than "low"). Apply a tiny amount of power at first, and when the vehicle moves a very short distance, put it into gear to move it in the opposite direction. You may have to move it in alternating directions several times, but DO NOT apply enough power to spin the wheels. Also, don't jeopardize your transmission by "rocking" it back and forth with quick changes in opposite directions. When your car reaches the point where it has moved a short distance (a matter of at least eight to ten inches), move it to the end of the track you have just made, in the direction opposite the direction you want to go. Change gears to go the intended direction and apply enough power to start the vehicle moving. Apply an ever-increasing amount of power the further you go. The vehicle will usually keep on moving until you are out of the rut you were in. Don't forget to release your parking brake. From there on, always try to drive with at least two wheels in the rough or undisturbed snow. I have used these methods for fifty-four years (driving in the snowbelt states), and except for two occasions when I drove blindly into snowdrifts, I have required assistance very few times.