Advice: What to do if you get really stuck in the snow
By Ken Mitchell and Stephen Miller
Winter is coming, and in the unfortunate event that your vehicle gets stuck in deep snow, there are some things you can do to get out, or get help.
- Start digging the snow away from all the wheels with the shovel you should always have in the trunk.
- Position traction pads or old carpeting under the drive wheels (even scraps of card board will do in a pinch). Make sure front wheels are straight. Try moving ahead in low gear.
- When you’re using traction pads to get out of the snow, keep driving until you get into a clear spot and you know you’re out for good. But what about the pads? To save you a long walk back, attach cords to the traction pads and tie these to the bumper. You can drag them till you’re clear and then take them off.
- If you don’t have traction pads, spread sand or salt under the drive wheels. This will give them something to grip.
- Rock the car back and forth to give you enough momentum to get out. If your car is an automatic, brake when shifting from one gear to the other. Throwing the car quickly from Reverse to Drive and back again can damage your transmission.
If you’re really stuck:
- Try to be as visible as possible. Put your emergency flashers on, set up a flare, or place a warning light on top of your car. Even tie a scarf to your fully extended aerial.
- If the traffic is heavy, stay in the car. There will always be someone to stop and help you out.
- Stay with the car, it’s your best shelter.
- Run your engine for ten minutes every hour. You’ll be warm enough, while keeping your battery charged and conserving gas that might have to last. This is the time you need that flask of coffee, those chocolate bars, and the rest of your emergency driving kit.
- Always keep a window partly open for air.
- Make absolutely certain that the exhaust pipe is kept free of snow at all times. Otherwise deadly fumes can back up into the inside of your car.
- If you are going on an extended trip, or using un-travelled roads, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to arrive. Give yourself more time than normal to get there.