How To Get Out Of A Snow Drift And Other Winter Driving Tips

It’s all about traction

Let’s say your car is buried in snow, wheels spinning on snow and ice with no progress. There’s some preparation required before you can blast off, and that includes clearing a path in front, back, and under your car, ideally with a snow shovel. At the very least, you want to break up the ice around the wheels and make a rougher surface for better traction. If you have access to such things, you might try some rock salt, kitty litter, plywood, or even cardboard to help give the tires something to grip.

Two other important steps to take before trying to make your escape: Make sure the tailpipe isn’t blocked with snow (to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning inside the car) and turn off traction control. You want all the traction you can get.

Don’t floor it

Many drivers seem to think they can pull out of their snow cave by sheer force of acceleration. But revving it up can be dangerous; if you do break free, your chances of controlling a high-speed spinout are not good. Better technique involves moving forward and back in low gear, giving just a little gas and straightening the wheel as you go to improve traction. If you’re still spinning to no effect, try using the brake and giving a little gas at the same time to reduce the spin, or rapidly shifting from forward to reverse and back to rock your way out of the drift. But be careful not to try either one of these methods for more than a few seconds, as they can damage the brakes or the transmission if overused. Slow, steady progress is the safest way to get moving again.

Still stuck?

You still have options. You could try letting a little air out of your tires. Underinflated (but not flat) tires can provide more traction, provided you don’t drive on them very far. You could ask kindly, in-shape bystanders to give you a little push, while being extremely careful not to put them in harm’s way. Or you could call a tow truck. In any event, be sure to reactivate traction control and put air back in your tires before embarking on your trip.

Plan ahead

Get the latest information about weather and road conditions from the state travel-planning website or other reliable sources before you head out. Never assume that a particular road is “always open” or that plows will have taken care of any overnight accumulations. Have a backup route in mind in the event that you run into closures or heavy delays. Make sure windows and mirrors are clean, wipers and defroster and heat working, and visibility optimal before setting out.

Slow down

Most winter accidents are a result of drivers going too fast for the conditions. Braking takes longer than it does on dry roads, and all-wheel drive doesn’t mean you won’t slide on ice. Whenever possible, use lower gears (rather than constant braking) to help slow you down in steep descents, and give other drivers plenty of room to react to changing conditions ahead.

Bring the right gear

Emergency supplies are a must, just in case you do run into gridlock. Or a snowdrift. Food and water, warm clothing and cell phone, an emergency kit, hazard lights, flashlight, a snow shovel, ice scraper and sunglasses, blankets and gloves — you know the drill.

Watch the skies — and the truckers

Don’t be fooled by patches of sunshine and dry roads; weather can change dramatically from one side of a mountain to another, as anyone who’s been through the Eisenhower Tunnel in January can verify. Pay attention to changing conditions and what the commercial long-haul truckers are doing; if they’re all pulling off the road, maybe they know something about what’s ahead that you don’t.

Adapt

Build extra time into your itinerary so you don’t have to press on in treacherous conditions. Pull off at rest stops or food stops where you can recharge your internal battery and unclench from the wheel. If the situation seems to be deteriorating rapidly, consider another route or a break for the night. The road will still be there tomorrow, after the storm has dissipated.