Stuck in the snow – what should I do?

Stuck in the snow – what should I do? Ways to get out of a snowdrift

The presence of snow in winter and ice has always been a problem for the average driver. The wheels from time to time tend to lose traction and even get stuck in the slush.

Snow, like water, impairs wheel traction, and if we are talking about large snowdrifts, then there is a risk of getting stuck in them.

Getting stuck in the snow even on a flat road is a simple task, but getting out is a whole science, which we will talk about in more detail.

First of all, realistically assess your capabilities, as well as the capabilities of your car, you should not undertake a trip when there is snow outside, drifts, snowdrifts, forest, etc. Nothing good will come of this!

But if you are unlucky and stuck in the snow, here are some practical recommendations that will help you get out of this situation.

Why is it easy to get stuck in the snow?

You can also get stuck in the sand without noticing it – the reason is the same. The car easily falls into the snow mass due to the small area of traction of each wheel with the surface. The weight of the car pushes it into the deep snow through these four points. If there is no solid support, the car will get stuck. Therefore, tracked vehicles, which are usually heavier than any passenger car, are more passable. In them, the multi-ton weight is distributed evenly.

What kind of snow do you get stuck in more often?

There are no such statistics, but usually cars get stuck on a hill and try to overcome it unsuccessfully. Under the deep snow lies ice, which further complicates the situation. There comes a time when the car completely stops moving and "gets stuck".

So the car is stuck in the snow. What's next?

1. The first tip – just touch the gas pedal and turn the steering wheel. The front wheels can catch on the edges in the snowdrift when stuck. The other tip is with reverse gear. You drive the rear wheels, and keep the front wheels straight and try not to slide. You need to do it slowly. Here it is important to add the “swing” method: having reached the upper edge of the snowdrift in which the wheels are stuck, then quickly engage reverse gear and repeat “movement-brake-reverse-brake”, increasing the amplitude.

2. The snow trap is “afraid” of shovels. Start digging under the car – you need to clear the snow from where it is stuck. If you have a tire jack, lift the wheel to make it easier to clean. Alternatively, dig a path. The spinning wheel should slide and find a grip to get out.

3. If you have a compressor in the trunk? Let the air out of the tires to 0.8–1.0. The drive wheels become more durable, and the driven wheels fall into the snow less. The method is effective, but not for long, it is harmful to drive for a long time with soft tires.

4. Another way: throw a piece of cardboard, a rubber mat from the passenger compartment, or whatever branches you have handy under the wheels. There is a more civilized alternative in the form of special chains that are placed on the wheel. They are mounted on the tire and provide traction with the road.

What should I do if I can't get out of the avalanche?

Remember that every problem has a solution and the faster you find it, the faster you will save yourself time, nerves and protect yourself from the cold.

Call roadside assistance in Sofiaif you get stuck in the snow!

If none of the tips listed above help you get out of the snow, then you should contact roadside assistance in Sofia Naydenovi Auto to pull your car out of the snowdrift or tow it repatriate to an address you specify. The number is listed on our website roadhelp.bg.

Evacuation methods

There are several types of evacuation that our team uses:

Fully loaded on the platform

The vehicle is loaded fully or partially onto the platform using a winch.

Partial platform download

If the dimensions of the car are large, then one part is unloaded. For example, the car is loaded at the front, and the rear wheels remain on the asphalt, pulling under their own power.

Crane.

This method is suitable for cases where the car is badly damaged and it is difficult to hang on to the bumper. The method is also used for a car completely stuck in the snow.

Winch.

The winch is the most commonly used, easy to operate, and is the most convenient method of repatriation for cars stuck in the snow.