Stuck in the snow? Tips to get out!

Stuck in Snow? These tips can help!

There is one thing I have learned about the seasons on the east coast: Never trust them!

Even though this has been a particularly soft winter for us, you never know when the next freak winter storm will hit and leave us all stranded in our homes. So in case we get another epic “snowpocalypse” this season, here are some tips to get your car on the road!

1) Check the tailpipe and dig excessive snow and ice

Before you start your car, check the tail pipe and clear out any snow that might be covering it to prevent deadly gases from building up inside the car.

After clearing the tailpipe make sure to dig away excessive snow and ice. Break up the ice immediately surrounding the tires. Obviously, if you have a shovel, you can dig out the snow. If a shovel isn’t available use a sharp object to break up the ice below the tires. Ice is slippery, so the extra ruggedness will provide traction. Make sure you take off big snow clumps that might prevent your car from going over it, and make sure you throw your extra snow in the opposite place f where you want to move your car (believe me, it happens to the best of us).

2) Sprinkle salt, sand, and/or cat litter.

Sprinkling some salt will help to melt the ice. Use rock salt if you can, but table salt will also work if you use a lot. Sand and cat litter don’t melt the ice but they will provide traction, so give them a shot.

3) Ride the brakes as you pull out

Usually the reason why the car won’t move is because one wheel will spin more than the other since the ice causes it to have less resistance. Pressing the brakes slightly will lower the tires spinning and also transfer power to the other wheel so that both wheels are working to pull you out of the snow. Be careful not to do this for too long, so the brakes don’t overheat.

4) Keep the wheels straight

In a sticking situation, it is easier to move your car if the wheels that are straight than if they are turned, so make sure to turn the steering wheel to straighten the front wheels as much as possible (Unless there are any obstacles on the road, of course).

5) Use a low gear as you pull out

This trick might take a little patience but will often times get you out. Try gently accelerating and reversing back and forth until the wheels start to slip. Keep repeating this step back and forth until you have enough room to pull your car out.

6) Leting a little air out of the tires increases traction

Make sure to only try this step if your tires have enough air to spare. Avoid it if you have no way of filling them back up.

7) Have front-wheel drive? Use it!

If you have a front-wheel drive vehicle and the wheels are spinning, turning the wheels in a different direction while accelerating slowly can give you the extra traction that you need to get out. Don’t go accelerate too much though or you will make it worst.

8) Put the floor mats in front of the driving tires.

This is definitely a last resort since the mats will most likely end up destroyed. Using the mats might give your tires the traction needed to get out. Make sure you put them in front of the vehicles driving tires (front tires for front wheel drive and vice versa).

Conclusion

While carrying a shovel or having tire chains can get you out of most snow pickles, we know that most of the times we don’t have them handy when we need them. So in case we get any last minute snow this season, keep these tips handy!

Have any other ways to get your car out of a snow pickle? Let us know!