My car is stuck in the snow-now what?

Slid on a patch of icy road and got stuck in a snowbank? Don't fret, it happens to the best of us during our harsh Canadian winters. At BrokerLink, we understand that getting stuck in the snow is certainly frustrating, not to mention the risk of damaging your car. But if it happens, don’t panic. There are some simple, effective steps you can take to stay safe and get moving again. But first, let's talk about some winter car essentials to have before you leave and then explore how to get your car unstuck from the snow.

Getting ready for winter driving

Before the snow starts falling, it’s a good idea to winterize your car and stock up on a few essentials. Having the right gear can make all the difference if you find yourself stuck or dealing with icy roads. Here’s what you should keep in your car:

• A snow shovel or scoop
• A first-aid kit
• A portable battery-operated radio
• Road flares
• Battery jumper cables
• A tire pressure gauge and portable air pump
• Sand, non-clumping kitty litter, or some flattened cardboard boxes
• Snow chains or cables
• A basic toolkit
• An ice scraper and snow brush
• Warm blankets
• Warm clothing, such as an extra jacket, hat or gloves
• A phone charger
• A flashlight
• Bottled water and some non-perishable snacks

How to get your car unstuck from the snow

Getting your car stuck in the snow can be a frustrating experience, especially during winter months. However, with the right approach and a few practical steps, you can safely and efficiently free your vehicle. Below we will discuss useful steps you can follow if you ever find yourself in this situation:

1. First, stop and pause

If you get your car stuck in the snow, the first thing to do is stop—seriously. You’re already stuck, and spinning your wheels will only make things worse. The friction creates heat, which melts the snow into ice, making it even harder to get traction. Plus, it’s tough on your winter tires.

So, take your foot off the gas and take a moment to assess the situation. Get out and take a walk around your car. Make sure to check your exhaust pipe—if it’s clogged with snow, clear it out by hand. A blocked exhaust can be dangerous.

2. Rock your car back and forth

You might be able to free your car just by rocking it back and forth—no extra tools needed. The idea is to build up momentum by switching between forward and reverse. Here’s how to do it:

• Use both feet—one on the brake, one on the gas.
• Gently ease off the brake and lightly press the gas. You should feel the car rise slightly as it moves up the rut.
• As soon as the car reaches the top of the rut, press the brake to stop any unnecessary wheel spin. If your brake pedal vibrates, don’t worry, that’s just the ABS kicking in. You may have to turn off the ABS.
• Wait a second before switching gears. Make sure the car is fully stopped, the wheels aren’t spinning, and the engine RPM has settled before shifting into reverse.
• Then, repeat in reverse: release the brake, apply the gas, and try to move back. Find the right balance—enough throttle to keep momentum but not so much that the wheels spin.

The goal is to get your tires climbing higher on the rut’s edges until you’ve built enough momentum to break free. If your car has traction control, you may need to turn it off, or if there’s a winter mode, switch it on—it can make a big difference.

Also, pay close attention to your tires. Roll your window down to help. If you hear your tires spinning, immediately ease off the gas. Once your wheels start spinning, that’s a sure sign you’re stuck, and pressing the gas harder will only make things worse!

3. Remove the snow from around your tires

If rocking didn't work, the next step is to try digging out the snow and ice around your drive tires—you’ll want to clear a few feet in front and behind them. This is especially important if your tires aren’t winter-ready or you haven’t prepped your car for the season. Also, check under the front or middle of your car—if snow is piled up higher than your car’s clearance, try to clear that out too.

A snow scoop or snow shovel is your best bet, so it’s always a good idea to keep either one in your trunk during winter. But if you don’t have one, get creative! A removable cup holder insert, a small square floor mat, or even the wrench for your spare tire can help you move more than just handfuls of snow.

4. Use snow chains or snow cables

Depending on where you live in Canada, you may have snow chains in the back of your car for exactly these types of situations. Northern Canada is known for getting a lot of snow, and snow chains can really help you out.

Now that you have some space cleared out around your tires, you can try to instal your snow chains or cables. Remember, they go on your drive wheels. So, if your car is front-wheel drive, you’ll need to put them on both front tires. Not sure which wheels power your car? A quick look at your owner’s manual will clear that up.

Just remember to remove them once you're free if the roads themselves aren't fully covered in snow. You should never drive on bare pavement with snow chains.

5. Place an object under your wheel

If you don't have any snow chains, try giving your tires something to grip onto, like a block of wood, cardboard, an old garage mat, or even a floor mat from your car (just know it might not survive the process). You could even try to use some branches lying nearby. Whatever you use, make sure it’s about two feet long and wedge it under the drive tire:

• For rear-wheel drive: place it under the rear passenger-side wheel.
• For front-wheel drive: place it under the front driver-side wheel.

Be extra careful with the gas pedal—too much throttle can send the object flying, which could damage your car or even hurt someone.

6. Add traction under your tires

When you're stuck in the snow, traction is everything. If you’ve got non-clumping cat litter, sand, or salt in your trunk, sprinkle it around your drive wheels to give your tires some extra grip to gain traction. Sand or kitty litter should be a part of your winter car essentials, as Canada is known for getting a lot of snow in the winter.

Once you’ve placed it around your tires, try rocking your car back and forth again. If you can’t move in one direction, try the other—you might just get enough momentum to break free.

7. Use the braking technique

If you're stuck in deep snow or on ice, the braking technique can help give your wheels the traction they need. Just don’t try this on dry roads, as it could damage your car. Here’s how to do it:

• Shift into a low gear—just like you would for tricky driving conditions.
• Gently press the brake and gas at the same time—this isn’t to stop the car but to apply light braking while giving some gas, helping your wheels grip instead of spinning.
• If a tire keeps spinning, try pressing the brakes a little more while applying a gentle throttle. This can stop the spinning wheel and let the other one do the work.
• For front-wheel-drive cars, if there’s nothing in your way, try turning your wheels slightly in the opposite direction—sometimes, that’s enough to improve traction.

8. Let some air out of your tires

Another trick to getting unstuck? Letting a little air out of your tires. It’s not an exact science, but you want to release just enough so the pressure visibly lowers. This increases the amount of rubber touching the ground, which can help get you just enough traction.

But here’s the catch—driving on underinflated tires isn’t safe. Only try this if there’s a nearby spot where you can refill your tires soon after getting unstuck. Driving with low tire pressure wears out your tires faster and makes steering and handling more difficult, which increases your risk of an accident.

And while your car insurance would likely cover you in a crash, let’s be honest—that’s the last thing you want to deal with after already being stuck in the snow.

9. Ask for help

If you’ve got passengers or some helpful bystanders around, a good old-fashioned push might do the trick! As they push, gently press the gas to build momentum, just enough to keep the car moving without spinning the wheels. Safety first! Make sure:

• You’re in the right gear, so the car moves away from the pushers—forward gear if they're pushing from behind and reverse if they're pushing from the front.
• The ground isn’t too slippery for them to get a good grip.
• Everyone is in a safe spot before you press the gas.

10. Call for roadside assistance

For most people, calling roadside assistance is a last resort—it can be pricey, and depending on your car insurance, it might not be covered. But whether or not you have coverage, it’s a lifesaver if you’re stuck in a remote area or dealing with nasty weather, like a blizzard.

One important thing to remember: never leave your car on the side of the road in freezing conditions. If you’re far from the nearest town, don’t try to walk for help—exposure to the cold can lead to frostbite or even hypothermia, which can be deadly. Instead, stay inside your car, keep warm, and call for a tow truck.

What to do once you're unstuck from the snow

Once you're finally free, take it slow and stay cautious. If you had to use floor mats or other objects to gain traction, make sure you pull over somewhere safe before getting out to retrieve them. As you get back on the road:

• Re-engage your traction control system if you turned it off, or turn off winter mode if you had it on.
• Check your front grille—snow packed in there can block airflow and cause your engine to overheat.
• If you let any air out of your tires, head straight to the nearest service station to reinflate them or pull over somewhere safe and use your portable air pump.

Also, pay attention to how your car feels. If you notice a vibration in the steering wheel, it could mean snow or ice is packed into your wheels. Pull over somewhere safe and use an ice scraper or shovel to clear it out—this will help prevent handling issues on the road.

Prepare for the winter with winter tires

If you're familiar with winter driving in Canada, chances are good that you understand how important having winter tires is. While they're only mandatory in Quebec, they're still essential during Canadian winters for maintaining traction on snowy and icy roads.

Snow or winter tires have deeper treads and a softer rubber compound that stays flexible in the cold, giving you way better traction than all-season tires, which lose grip once the temperature drops below 7ºC. Yes, they’re an extra cost, but they can save you from getting stuck—or worse, sliding into a ditch.

Learn more with BrokerLink

If you ever find yourself stuck in the snow, it's important to know how to get yourself out. However, if none of these methods work, having roadside assistance as part of your car insurance coverage can really help you out. Here at BrokerLink, we can help set you up with a policy that's tailored to your specific needs and answer any questions you may have about your car insurance.

And speaking of car insurance, to make sure you’re properly protected, it’s helpful to understand the different types of auto insurance available. Here are some other key coverages to consider:

• Third-party liability insurance
• Accident benefits coverage
• Comprehensive car coverage
• Collision car coverage
• Uninsured motorist coverage
• Direct compensation-property damage insurance
• Accident forgiveness

To learn more, reach out to BrokerLink today. You can reach us by phone at 1-855-451-8748, by email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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