What To Do if Your Car is Stuck in Snow – 7 Ways To Unstuck

Getting your car stuck in the snow can be a frustrating and dangerous experience, especially if you’re not prepared. Whether you’re heading to work or going on a winter road trip, it’s important to know how to get your car out of the snow.

In this post, we’ll show you 7 effective ways to get your car out of the snow. Plus, we’ll offer some smart preventive tips to keep you safe during winter driving.

Why Cars Get Stuck in Snow?

Before moving on to the solutions, let’s understand why cars get stuck. When snow builds up under the tires or underneath the car, it reduces friction and causes the wheels to spin without gripping the surface.

This is especially common with rear-wheel-drive vehicles and cars equipped with summer tires. Icy conditions, lack of clearance, and spinning tires can quickly sink your car deeper into the snow, making the situation even worse.

Preliminary Safety Precautions

If your car is stuck, safety comes first. So here are some steps you should take before making any attempt to extricate the car:

• Turn on Your Hazard Lights: If you are stuck in snow on the road, the first thing you should do is turn on your car’s hazard lights to alert other drivers, especially in poor visibility conditions.
• Check Your Surroundings: If you are near traffic, be aware of other vehicles, as this can cause an accident.
• Avoid Over-Revving: Spinning tires too quickly can make the situation worse. Spinning tires too quickly can sink your car deeper into the snow and can also damage the transmission and tires.
• Wear Gloves and Winter Clothing: Being in extreme cold can be dangerous. Stay warm when working outside the vehicle.

7 Ways to Get Your Car Unstuck From Snow

Now, let’s take a look at 7 proven ways to get your car out of a snow trap.

#1. Assess the Situation

First, check why your car is stuck—whether there is snow or ice around the tires. Make sure it’s safe before you try to pull it out yourself. If it seems too risky or you’re unsure, it’s better to stay in the car.

If you have a roadside assistance service with insurance, contact them for help. They can send someone right away, and it’s safer to wait in your car, especially in bad weather.

#2. Clear Snow Around Tires

Why it works: Snow that builds up around the tires and underneath the car prevents traction. Removing it gives your tires more room to grip and move, helping the tires get more grip on the road surface.

How To Do It

• Use a snow shovel or ice scraper to remove snow from around the drive wheels.
• Clear a few feet of space in front of and behind the tires.
• Don’t forget to dig underneath the vehicle, especially around the axles and exhaust.

Pro Tip: Keep a compact snow shovel in your trunk during the winter months.

#3. Use Traction Mats or Sand

Why it works: Adding a grippy surface under your tires can provide the needed friction to escape a snow trap.

How To Do It: Place traction aids (like a car mat, cardboard, or even kitty litter) directly under the tires.

Use Materials Like

• Sand or gravel
• Salt or road grit
• Carpet remnants or rubber mats

Warning: Avoid using hard objects like wood boards which can be flung out dangerously when the tires spin.

#4. Rock the Car

Why it works: The rocking motion builds momentum that can help free the car from compacted snow. Rocking the vehicle creates a gentle back-and-forth motion that helps generate momentum.

This momentum can loosen the grip of packed snow or ice around the tires, giving them a better chance to catch traction. Each movement helps clear a bit of space under the tires, eventually creating a small path the car can follow.

How To Do It

• Shift from drive to reverse repeatedly while lightly pressing the gas.
• Use short bursts – don’t over-rev.
• Stop immediately if your wheels begin spinning too much.

Important: This method works best with automatic transmissions. If you have a manual, ease the clutch slowly to avoid stalling or spinning the tires.

#4. Lower Tire Pressure Slightly

Why it Helps: Lowering the tire pressure slightly allows more of the tire’s surface to come into contact with the snow. This wider footprint improves traction and helps the tires grip better on slippery or packed snow, making it easier to move the vehicle.

How To Do It

• Use a tire pressure gauge or gently press the valve stem to release a small amount of air.
• Reduce the pressure by about 5–10 psi per tire—just enough to flatten the tire slightly for better grip.
• After your car is free, make sure to reinflate the tires back to the recommended pressure as soon as possible.

Important: This is only a short-term fix to improve traction. Driving long distances on underinflated tires can damage them and reduce fuel efficiency, so only use this method when absolutely necessary.

#5. Use Snow Chains

Why it Helps: Snow chains or snow socks significantly improve traction by biting into snow and ice, giving your tires a better grip. They reduce wheel spin and make it much easier to move your vehicle on slippery surfaces, especially when regular tires can’t gain traction.

Steps To Use

• Install the chains on your drive wheels – front wheels for front-wheel drive (FWD), and rear wheels for rear-wheel drive (RWD).
• Carefully follow the installation instructions provided by the chain manufacturer to ensure a secure and proper fit.

Tip: Snow chains are a great winter investment, particularly if you live in or frequently travel through snowy or mountainous areas. Keeping a set in your trunk during winter can save you in tough situations.

#6. Dig Around the Tires

Why it Helps: Removing built-up snow around your tires reduces resistance and gives your vehicle a clear, level path to move. This method increases the chances of your tires gripping the surface instead of spinning in place.

How To Do It

• Use a shovel to clear snow from in front of and behind each tire, as well as underneath the car if needed.
• Shape smooth, shallow ramps instead of digging deep holes—this helps your tires roll over the snow rather than get stuck in it.
• Be sure to clear enough space for your car to gain some initial movement in either direction.

Pro Tip: For extra grip, sprinkle sand, salt, cat litter, or even place floor mats on the cleared path to help your tires gain traction and move more easily.

#7. Call for Help

Why it Works: If your efforts to free the car aren’t working, calling for professional assistance is the safest and most effective option. It prevents further damage to your vehicle and ensures your safety, especially in extreme weather conditions.

How To Do It

• Reach out to a roadside assistance service, tow truck company, or your insurance provider’s emergency support.
• If you’re in a remote location, make sure to inform a friend or family member of your exact location in case your phone battery runs low.
• Stay warm and safe inside the vehicle while waiting for help to arrive.

Helpful Tools: Mobile apps like AAA, OnStar, or your insurer’s roadside assistance app can help you request help quickly and track support in real-time.

What Not to Do When Stuck

When trying to get your car out of the snow, it’s just as important to know what not to do. Making the wrong move can make the situation worse or even damage your vehicle.

• Don’t Spin the Wheels Endlessly – Constant spinning creates heat, which melts snow and turns it into ice, making traction even harder to gain.
• Don’t Rev the Engine Aggressively – Over-revving can put stress on your transmission, drivetrain, and engine components.
• Don’t Leave Your Vehicle Unattended for Long – In extremely cold weather, your car can freeze up more or become a safety hazard.
• Don’t Ignore Warning Signs – Unusual smells, sounds, or dashboard lights may point to mechanical issues that need attention before continuing.

Preventive Tips for Winter Driving

It’s always better to prevent getting stuck in the snow than dealing with it later. Here are some essential tips to keep you safe and moving through winter conditions:

• Keep a Winter Emergency Kit – Pack key items like a snow shovel, ice scraper, sand or cat litter for traction, a warm blanket, gloves, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
• Equip Your Car with Winter Tires – Winter tires are designed to provide better traction on snowy and icy roads. While all-season tires are fine for mild conditions, winter tires are a must for harsh weather.
• Check Tire Tread and Pressure – Worn tires reduce grip, so make sure your tire tread is above 6/32″ and the pressure is properly maintained to maximize traction.
• Avoid Unplowed Roads – Stick to main roads that are likely to be plowed and salted regularly. Remote, unplowed roads can be dangerous and more difficult to navigate.
• Drive Slowly and Steadily  Slow down and avoid sudden movements like sharp turns or quick braking. Smooth acceleration and braking help prevent your tires from losing traction.

Conclusion

To get your car out if it’s stuck in snow – assess the situation, clear snow around tires, use traction mats or sand, rock the car, lower tire pressure slightly, use snow chains, dig around tires, call for help.

FAQs

Can I use kitty litter to get traction?

Yes, non-clumping kitty litter provides excellent traction and is a great item to keep in your trunk during winter.

How do I avoid spinning my tires?

Use light pressure on the gas pedal. Flooring it will only dig you in deeper.

Should I turn off traction control when stuck?

In some vehicles, disabling traction control can help get unstuck. Check your owner’s manual.

Is salt safe to use under my tires?

Yes, salt helps melt ice and increase traction but should be used moderately to avoid damage to your undercarriage.