Tag Archives: car stuck in snow

3 Things You Should Not Do if Your Car Gets Stuck in Snow

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Just as every Indiana winter promises, the snow has arrived, and commuters everywhere are sliding all over the road. If you find yourself stuck in snow like so many other drivers to this time of year, you are not out of luck. There are plenty of things you can do to get unstuck from a snowy ditch or pileup. However, there are also things you should NEVER do, as they can put you and your vehicle in grave danger, and they simply do not work. Instead, all they do is exert your energy and add more frustration to the cause.

Continue reading to learn what you should not do if your car gets stuck in the snow, and the one thing that always works every time.

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Car Stuck in Snow? DON’T TRY THIS:

☒ Do Not Rock Your Car

You have seen it in the movies, and perhaps even in real life, but it will not work out well for you. When stuck in snow, do not try to drive and reverse over and over again in attempt to “rock” your vehicle out of its stuck position. Not only does this waste enormous amount of gas, but it also creates a massive fume cloud that can be distracting or obstructive to passing drivers. Furthermore, it can put strain on your transmission, deplete your car of its essential fluids, and even kill the battery.

☒ ☒ Do Not Get Out and Push

One of the most dangerous things you can do to free your car from snow is to try to push it from the front or from behind. You might be thinking, “well I can’t get hit by a car if I am in the middle of nowhere.” But this is dangerous for other reasons other than the risk of being struck by a passing vehicle. You see, cars can instantly release when you are not expecting it to, and roll over whoever is in the way. Even if you are not near a busy road, you can still get run over by your own vehicle if you try this method.

☒ ☒ ☒ Do Not Floor the Gas

A common reaction for anyone who’s car is stuck in snow is to stomp on the gas pedal. But this is not the right choice. Just like rocking your car back and forth, you are putting unnecessary strain on your engine, fuel system, and internal hardware. Not only can this cause costly damage, but it can also be very dangerous. You do not want to jolt out of your stuck position suddenly, and possibly into oncoming traffic, or worse, a person. This happens more often than you think.

✨ Safe Ways to Pull a Car Out of a Ditch

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance is the Key to Get Your Car Un-Stuck

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, safe and sound. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so you can always count on us. Request a free estimate, today.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

How to Get Your Car Out After Driving into a Ditch

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Now that some snow trickle has arrived, it is officially that time of year when the most traffic accidents take place. One of the most common roadway emergencies seen during Indiana winters are cars that wind up driving into a ditch. When this happens, drivers are typically stuck unless they take some action to free their vehicle from the trench.

If you are currently facing the same situation, continue reading to learn how to get your car out after driving it into a ditch. At least one of these solutions will guarantee your safety and release.

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24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Address Your Safety

The very first thing you should do after driving into a ditch is address everyone’s safety, including your own. Once you know everyone is unharmed, take several minutes to observe your surroundings. Do not immediately get out of your car to examine the damage. Instead, wait first, and ensure that you are out of the way of oncoming traffic or any other hazards. If anyone is hurt, call 911 and request paramedics right away.

Attempt to Get Out on Your Own

Now comes the part where you attempt to get your car out of the ditch it is in, all on your own. In minor cases of cars being stuck in ditches, it is possible to do this with very little effort. Start by seeing if you can alter the load weight inside your vehicle. Perhaps move around some luggage or belongings from the back to the front, or vice versa, or remove them altogether. This adjustment might help your car gain enough traction to free itself from the ditch.

If not, it is time to address traction. You can place certain things in front of your wheels to increase traction. Try cardboard, sand, cat litter, and even your floor mats. For front wheel drive cars, focus on the front wheels. For rear-wheel drive cars, focus on placing things in front of the back wheels.

Contact a 24 Hour Tow Truck

When all else fails, your surefire way of freeing a car stuck in the ditch is emergency roadside assistance services. Contact a local, 24 hour towing company that offers roadside assisting, including recovery service, which is what you need to pull your vehicle out of the trench. Your car insurance might cover this fee, otherwise, it is very affordable. You can expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $75 or so.

Affordable and Fast 24 Hour Roadside Assistance for Central Indiana

Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour roadside assistance in Indiana. Our friendly staff is waiting by the phones, ready to help you get back on the road, safe and sound. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, so you can always count on us. Request a free estimate, today.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484

How to Free a Car Stuck in the Snow

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Whether you prepared for it or not, Hoosiers all across the state woke up to a winter wonderland. Although beautiful and serene, snow can pose several dangers to drivers on the road. One of the most common vehicular incidents related to snowy weather is getting stuck. If you are stuck in the snow right now and searching for the easier way out, you have found the right blog.

Continue reading to learn how to free your car from the snow, including how to obtain the fastest solution if nothing you do seems to work.

24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484
24 Hour Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

What NOT to Do

Before getting to the part on how to free your car that is stuck in snow, you need to review some important safety standards to ensure you and your vehicle are not in any danger. First, be sure you and any passengers are far away from the road and out of the way of traffic. Next, it is important to put your blinkers, or hazard lights, on to warn oncoming traffic of your post. When stuck in a ditch, it is important to never stand behind the downward sloping end of the vehicle. This poses the risk of being run over by the car if it frees and rolls down on top of you. Furthermore, never attempt to push a car out of a ditch, as the same risk applies.

How to Get Started

Now that you are familiar with some of the most important safety points, you are ready to do what you can to free your car from the snowy impound it is in. To start, surround your vehicle’s perimeter with roadside assistance triangles, if you have them. If not, start by clearing out as much snow as you can from behind and in front of each tire, as well as underneath the car. Use your hands, ice scraper, cup, or anything else you have that can help you scoop and clear snow. If part of your wheels are on a road, it is important that you take extreme precaution against oncoming traffic. In fact, it is recommended to abort the project and call a professional if your vehicle is along a busy road.

After you have cleared a few feet of snow in front of and behind your tires, you can choose to attempt the “rocking method”, which literally involves switching back and forth from drive to reverse until the car springs free from the snow or ditch. However, be warned that this approach is not recommended since it can damage the transmission if done improperly.

If you feel confident in this method, just be sure the car is motionless before switching gears by hitting the brake as soon as it is in the peak of each “rock.” Just do not “floor” the gas. You may need to try this step a few times before it works. If it doesn’t work after a few attempts, you still have one more option. According to Consumer Reports, it is important to keep the wheels straight while doing this. Avoid spinning your tires because this will only dig you deeper into the mud.

If this approach doesn’t do the trick, you can try to add more traction behind every wheel of the car with anything you have on hand that will provide a driving surface, such as cat litter, cardboard, floormats, old shirts, and similar items. For cars that are front-wheel drive, put the items in the front of each tire.

Still Stuck?

Contact a 24 Hour Roadside Assistance Truck

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for friendly 24 hour towing and roadside assistance and advice in Central Indiana. We open a family-owned and operated business for 90 years, so you can trust us for prompt and professional service. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, so our certified tow truck operators can be there for you anytime, any day! Request free estimates, anytime.

Indianapolis Towing & Recovery 317-247-8484