People who live in snowy areas during the harsh winters understand what it’s like to drive in the snow. Heavy snowfalls can overdrive tires, and people can even get stuck in the snow. It can cause a lot of inconveniences, especially if it’s snowing heavily or at night. However, you must know how to tackle these situations. The best is to be prepared for such a situation.
Don’t freak out if you find yourself unprepared in such a situation. In this article, we have discussed the things you should do if your car is stuck in the snow.
In this article:
1. 5 Things to Do If Your Car Is Stuck in the Snow
- Straighten Out Your Steering Wheel
- Use the AWD Lock Mode
- Stay on the Throttle
- Turn Off The Traction Control
- Try Rocking Your Car
2. Final Words
1 5 Things to Do If Your Car Is Stuck in the Snow
If your car is stuck in the snow, here are some things you should do. Remember not to panic and take these steps to save yourself the trouble.
Straighten Out Your Steering Wheel
It is easier to move a vehicle when the wheels are moving forward. So, you must straighten your steering wheel and ensure the wheels are facing forward. This aids in regaining traction and getting the vehicle moving again.
In some cases, you may have to turn your steering wheel to one side or the other to get your car out of the snow. Keep the steering input as light as possible in this situation. Do not steer more than is necessary. You should not underestimate the importance of this step in getting your vehicle out of the snow and saving your day!
Use the AWD Lock Mode
Most newly manufactured vehicles with AWD come with “Lock” or “Off Road” modes. These are easily accessible to car drivers by pressing a button. You must be familiar with your vehicle’s system and determine whether it is equipped with one.
Activating these modes tells you if your vehicle’s traction is limited and you need more grip. You can modify the driveline parameters to boost traction. In certain cases, using this mode along with the above tip can help free a vehicle stuck in the snow.
Stay on the Throttle
You must not slam the throttle pedal when stuck in the snow. Maintain constant throttle pressure, especially if your vehicle has AWD or four-wheel drive. Do not overspin your vehicle, as this can lead to a deeper and more serious problem.
If your vehicle is a four-wheel-drive or AWD equipped, allow some wheelspin for a few seconds at a relatively slow speed. This can be beneficial. Allow the wheels to spin slowly and give the machine the job. However, you must be conscious not to put your vehicle any deeper.
Turn Off The Traction Control
Most vehicles have an automatic feature called Traction Control designed to keep the vehicle’s wheels from slipping at extremely high speeds or on slippery surfaces. For example, when the vehicle starts spinning on the ice, the Traction Control system responds by cutting the engine power and applying targeted braking to considerably reduce the speed of the spinning wheels. This allows the driver to take control of the car.
However, traction control makes it difficult to free a stuck vehicle in some situations. Keep in mind that the traction control system is activated automatically when the engine is started. So, when you are stuck in the snow, you might need to turn it off.
If pressing the throttle does not give any results or there is difficulty getting the wheels to spin a little, then it probably means that the traction control is doing its job. At this point, you will have to turn off the traction control system to allow the wheels to spin more freely. You can also check your owner’s manual to better understand the process.
Try Rocking Your Car
Even if you follow all of the above steps, you may become stuck in the snow. If your car is still stuck in the snow and has only moved a little from where it was stuck, shift into reverse and back up slightly. Consider the distance and use as little throttle as possible.
Stop the vehicle as soon as you can move backward, even if only slightly. Set the shifter to DRIVE and take a short forward run. Stop immediately if you feel the vehicle becoming stuck again. Repeat the process by shifting to reverse. Rocking the vehicle back and forth can help you find an escape route.
However, you must remember to be gentle on the transmission and never shift gears when the wheels are moving.
2 Final Words
With the help of the above steps, you might be able to rescue your car stuck in the snow. You can also add salt or sand around the wheels or shovel out the vehicle’s underside and the snow around the wheels to rescue the car. We advise you to keep a shovel and sand in your car if you are traveling in the winter. You can also contact the helpline to get help with any road emergency.
