Getting Unstuck From Snow, Mud and Sand

Getting stuck is no fun no matter what the weather conditions are. Knowing a few simple techniques may be the difference between getting home on time for supper or having to walk several blocks (or miles) to get towed. Techniques for getting unstuck vary depending on what you are stuck in. Techniques that may work well in one situation, such as snow, may actually dig you deeper in another type of 'stuck' situation such as sand or mud. Should you become stuck, RepairNation.com suggests applying the following techniques:

Snow

Rule #1, don't spin your tires. If you become stuck in snow, especially deep snow, spinning your tires is likely to worsen your situation for three reasons.

1) You will likely dig yourself in deeper, making your chances of getting unstuck even more unlikely.
2) The friction from spinning tires creates a little heat which melts a thin layer of snow beneath the tires and creates an icy, even more slippery spot below the tire which reduces traction even more. Unfortunately, it's very unlikely you will be able to melt your way through the ice to solid ground.
3) A tire has more traction when 'gripping' a surface than spinning. Go slow and try to "crawl" your way out.

Use low gear (automatic transmissions) or second gear (manual transmissions) and apply gentle pressure to the accelerator trying not to spin your tires. If tires begin to spin, let up on the accelerator or use the brakes until they stop. Then try again.

Clear snow away from the tires and under the vehicle if tires continue to spin. If you don't have a shovel, find a stick or use your foot or to kick or scrape as much snow away as possible. Concentrate on getting as much of the snow away from the spinning tire right up to the tread.

Straighten the wheels. It takes more effort to move a vehicle that has turned wheels. Keep them as straight as possible (particularly with rear wheel drive vehicles). If that doesn't work and you have front wheel or all wheel drive, turn wheels side to side and allow the spinning tires to 'hunt' for traction.

Use traction aids such as scattering sand, cat litter, ashes, potato chips, candy, or any type of abrasive material around the wheels to improve traction. Special traction mats or wheel chains work great and are a good idea to carry if you drive in snow a lot. If you don't have any of these items handy and you don't feel like walking, it's time to get resourceful. Place your vehicle's floor mats or a piece of carpeting (trunk mat) behind or in front of the spinning tires in the direction you want to go. Alternatively, use a glove, hat or article of clothing. You can also dig through the snow with a shovel, stick or your heel to find some gravel, sand or dirt to use for traction. Look for anything that can help increase traction.

Rock the vehicle back/forth. If the car can move back/fourth a little you may be able to become unstuck by rocking. To make rocking more effective, clear as much snow away form the wheels as possible beforehand. If you are trying to go forward, for example, apply this rocking strategy: Using low gear (automatic transmissions) ease the car backwards. When the car will no longer go backwards and the wheels begin to spin, apply the brakes and release the accelerator. Stay there, do not allow the car to roll forward back into the hole. Then, shift into reverse and allow your vehicle a second or two until you can feel that the transmission has engaged. Next, apply minimum pressure on the accelerator again and drive forward. Try not to spin the tires. Go forward as much as possible and apply the brakes when the wheels begin to spin. Shift into reverse and continue the steps. The goal you want to achieve is to rock the vehicle further and further away from the hole each time. Eventually you should be able to get enough room to achieve a sufficient amount of speed to move the vehicle out of the stuck area. Again, don't spin your tires.

Have others push. If others are available to help, pushing can greatly assist the car's rocking motion and increase your chances of success. However, don't let helpers stand directly behind the wheels because of potential risk from flying gravel, sand and ice. Also, they should be aware of their own physical limitations and potential risks from slipping, falling or overexertion - not to mention being struck by another vehicle.

Do not continue rocking for prolonged periods with automatic transmissions. Serious damage to the transmission may occur. Never shift between gears rapidly while pressing the accelerator. Give the transmission time to shift into gear.

Jack up vehicle. If you are on an icy patch and you can't even move your vehicle but you think you can still get out if you can get some traction, consider shutting the engine off, jacking up the vehicle and putting some type of traction aid beneath the spinning tire.

If you are unable to get your vehicle unstuck, carefully assess weather conditions and distance to get help before abandoning your vehicle. In extreme cold or in heavy snow, you could put yourself in a dangerous situation. If the weather is particularly bad, stay with your car until help arrives. See surviving a severe winter storm.

Mud

Reduce wheel spin. Spinning your tires in mud fills the tire's cleats up which reduces traction. Try to reduce wheel spin as much as possible. However, unlike getting stuck in sand or snow, spinning your tires in mud may actually help if there is solid ground underneath. If you are on an incline, spinning your tires may cause your vehicle to slide downhill.

Rock vehicle back and fourth using the strategy outlined in getting unstuck in snow (above).

Lower tire pressure to 15 psi. That will cause your tire's sidewalls to bow out and contact the surface which will give your tires more contact area on which to grip.

Use low gear (automatic transmissions) or second gear (manual transmissions) and apply gentle pressure to the accelerator trying not to spin your tires. If tires begin to spin, let up on the accelerator or use the brakes until they stop. Then try again.

Dig mud away from tires with a shovel, stick or use your hands. Make a clear path for your vehicle to travel in.

Aim tires forward. Keep your tires aim forward as much as possible. If that doesn't work and you have front wheel or all wheel drive, turn wheels side to side and allow the tires to 'hunt' for traction.

Increase traction by laying stones in front of or behind the spinning tires. If you are really stuck and you can't even rock the vehicle back and fourth, jack the vehicle up and place stones beneath the tires. Also, lay sticks or stones ahead of the tires so once you begin moving you will have a 'paved' path to continue on until you are out of the muddy area.

If your vehicle has a winch or you have a tow rope, hook onto a nearby tree or vehicle and pull yourself out.

Sand

Rule #1, don't spin your tires. If you become stuck in sand, especially loose sand, spinning your tires will cause you to dig in further and make your chances of getting out more unlikely.

Reduce tire pressure. Reducing tire pressure serves to increase the footprint of the tire. In other words, more surface area of the tire will contact the ground. Reduce pressure to around 15 psi (be careful to not pop the bead).

Dig the sand away from around the tires and make a clear path for the tires.

Use low gear (automatics), second gear (manual transmissions) to prevent wheel spin.

Rock the vehicle back and forth. Follow 'rocking' instructions outlined in getting unstuck in snow. Hopefully, by rocking back and fourth you will be able to move the vehicle enough to finally make it through the sandy area.

Increase traction. If rocking the vehicle fails to get you out, your only options are to get towed out or jack up vehicle and put traction aids under the tires. If you have dug deep holes, fill the holes. Use nearby rocks, sticks or even your floor mats. Lay sticks at 45 degree angles on the sand in front of the tires in the direction you want to travel.

Winch - If your vehicle has a winch, attach it to a nearby tree or another vehicle and pull yourself out.