Car Stuck in Snow or Mud: What to Do

Getting stuck in snow, mud, or a pothole off the pavement is something almost every driver has experienced at some point. In most cases, you can get out on your own within a few minutes, but there are situations where trying too hard only makes things worse. Here's how to properly assess the situation and avoid turning a minor stuck-spot into a real problem.

First: assess the situation

Before hitting the gas, get out and take a look at what's happening under the wheels and the underbody:

• Are all the wheels touching solid ground, or is one of them spinning free in the air;
• Is the car resting on its underbody on a mound (packed snow, a bump, a rock). In that case the wheels may just be spinning with no traction at all;
• How deep are the wheels sunk into the snow or mud;
• Is there solid ground nearby you could realistically reach.

Safe ways to get unstuck on your own

• Rocking the car. Gently alternate between forward and reverse at low RPM, gradually increasing the swing. This often works for shallow snow;
• Traction aids under the wheels. Branches, boards, floor mats, or traction mats placed under the drive wheels noticeably improve grip;
• Lowering tire pressure (temporarily, if you're heading straight to reinflate afterward), increases the contact patch and improves traction on loose snow;
• Clearing snow or mud from around the wheels and under the car if it's resting on its belly. This is the first thing to do in that scenario, or nothing else will work.

What not to do while trying to get out

• Don't floor the gas and hold it while spinning. This worsens the situation and can damage the transmission;
• Don't rock an automatic too aggressively by constantly shifting between R and D under load. This wears out the gearbox;
• Don't ignore a burning smell from the wheels or transmission. That's a signal to stop immediately and let things cool before trying again;
• Don't jam random metal objects under the wheels unless absolutely necessary. They can shoot out and injure someone standing nearby.

When you need help from another car

If solo attempts don't work but there's another car nearby willing to help:

• Use a tow rope or strap attached to the factory-designated tow points, not random parts of the body;
• The pull should be smooth, with no sudden jerks. A hard yank can damage both vehicles' attachment points;
• Make sure the towing car itself has good traction, or you'll end up with two stuck vehicles instead of one;
• If one car can't do it, don't keep escalating. That's your cue to call a tow truck.

When you definitely need a tow truck

• The car is resting on its belly with the wheels completely off the ground;
• A burning smell from the transmission or clutch appeared after a few attempts to get out;
• There's no other car around to help, and DIY methods haven't worked;
• The car is stuck somewhere hard to reach: a ditch, a deep rut, a steep off-road slope;
• There's a risk of damaging the car further by continuing to try on your own.

For these situations, we use equipment with a winch that pulls the car out carefully, without putting extra strain on the suspension or drivetrain the way a rough rope-tow attempt would.

How to reduce the risk of getting stuck again

• Keep a small shovel and traction mats in the trunk, more so if you often drive on dirt roads or in transitional seasons;
• Assess the condition of the shoulder or side road before leaving pavement, especially after rain or during snowmelt;
• If your car has an off-road mode or locking all-wheel drive, engage it proactively before you get stuck, not after.

Bottom line

Most cases of getting stuck in snow or mud can be resolved on your own in a few minutes with the right approach: no aggressive spinning, and some improvised traction aids. But if simple methods don't work, or there's a risk of damaging the car by continuing to try, don't waste time and energy. Call for roadside assistance with a winch instead.

Frequently Asked Questions