Stuck in the Snow? 5 Things To Try Before Calling A Towing Service

It is not unusual at all to call a roadside emergency towing service when your car gets stuck in the snow, but depending on the weather there may be a long wait for help to arrive. Still, with a little bit of imagination and manual effort, a car can sometimes get unstuck without professional assistance. Here are five things to try before calling for professional towing help. However, it is  strongly recommended to call roadside emergency towing if the car has met with an accident or is off the road in a ditch.

Rock the Car

You should straighten the wheels and start the engine. Using a low gear, drive forward. Then reverse and back the car up a bit. Again, move forward and then back.  This back-and-forth motion (rocking) can tamp down loose snow causing the tires to gain traction.  Continue this several times until you feel the tires grip. However, if the tires just spin (you’ll hear it), stop this method.  Spinning tires will only make the situation worse.

Pushing

If you can find a couple of people to help, you can try pushing the vehicle. Be sure to start pushing the car and applying gas at the same time (like on the count of three). Again, using a low gear, apply the gas gently, so movement is slow and smooth. Also, be extra cautious about the safety of the pushers.

Chain Up the Wheels

If you have snow chains, this is the time to use them. In fact, the application of snow chains can get your vehicle out in most of the cases.   If you don’t know what snow chains are, you probably live in the South so just move onto the next suggestion.

Add Some Traction

Sprinkle some sand in front of the tires to add traction.  If you don’t have access to sand, any of these items can also be used to help with traction:  kitty litter, newspapers, cardboard or car floor mats.

Reduce the Air Pressure

Try letting some air out of your tires. This move will increase the surface area of the tire in contact with the ground to create additional traction and may help a bit to move the car.  Don’t let out too much; you don’t want a flat tire.

If none of the above tricks work, it’s time to call the nearest roadside emergency towing service.  Call Unlimited Recovery and Towing at 919-790-9393.