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What to do when your car is stuck or stranded in snow

LIFE SAFETY: Clear your tailpipe before sitting in a running car

If snow blocks your exhaust pipe at the back of the car, odorless carbon monoxide gas fills the passenger cabin in minutes—even with a window cracked. Check and clear the tailpipe before idling for warmth, and re-check it every 30 minutes during heavy snowfall.

If your wheels are spinning in a driveway, parking spot, or snowbank, stop pressing the gas pedal immediately—spinning your tires melts the snow underneath into slick ice and digs you deeper.

If you only do three things

First: Step outside and clear all snow away from your car's rear exhaust tailpipe so deadly carbon monoxide gas cannot back up into the cabin.
Straighten your front wheels completely, clear snow from in front of all four tires, and wedge floor mats, sand, or cardboard under the drive wheels.
Temporarily turn OFF Traction Control (the car-with-squiggly-lines button) and use a feather-light touch on the gas pedal to roll forward.

Interactive: Stuck car quick triage

Tap the situation you are in right now for immediate recovery steps:

Interactive Stuck Car Emergency Triage

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How to get a car unstuck from snow (even without a shovel)

Stop spinning the tires. Spinning polishes the snow under the tire into glaze ice and can overheat your transmission.
Turn the steering wheel until your front tires point dead straight ahead. A car requires far less force to roll straight than to push snow with angled front wheels.
Dig out a 2-foot path in front of and behind all four tires using a shovel, ice scraper, or gloved hands. If the bottom belly of the car is resting high-centered on a packed mound of snow, clear underneath the bumper.
Create grip under the drive tires (front tires on most sedans; rear or all four on trucks/SUVs): pour sand, non-clumping kitty litter, rock salt, cardboard, pine branches, or your car's rubber/carpet floor mats wedged right under the tire tread.
Press the 'Traction Control Off' button on your dashboard. Traction control cuts engine power the instant a wheel slips, which can stop your car from moving at all in deep snow. (Turn it back ON as soon as you are back on the road!)
Shift into Low (L or 2) and press the gas pedal barely an inch. If the car moves a few inches and stops, gently rock between Drive and Reverse, pausing briefly on the brake before shifting gears so you don't damage the transmission.

If you are stranded and waiting for help

Stay inside your car: Do not walk out into a snowstorm looking for help. Blowing snow makes it easy to lose sight of the road, and oncoming drivers cannot see pedestrians.
Make your car visible: Turn on hazard flashers, turn on the interior dome light at night, and tie a bright cloth or scarf to your door handle or antenna.
Conserve fuel and prevent carbon monoxide: Clear the exhaust pipe, then run the engine and heater for 10 to 15 minutes each hour with a downwind window cracked slightly (1/2 inch).
Stay warm inside: Huddle together, put on hats and gloves, and use floor mats or seat covers over your legs as extra insulation.

Helpful winter preparedness gear

12V Portable Car Jump Starter & Power Bank ($55–$85)

Starts a dead frozen car battery in 30 seconds without another car.

Check availability →

Emergency Car Winter Survival Kit ($35–$55)

Includes thermal mylar blankets, tow strap, jumper cables, and flashlight.