What to do when my tires get stuck on ice/wet snow when pulling out of a street??

Question

We just got hit hard with a snowstorm here. But everyday whenever I try to pull out of a street and theres either ice/snow there my car gets stuck and when I step on the gas my tires spin and the RPM moves up but my car takes a good 30 seconds to nudge out of it.

Is there anyway to prevent this or an easier way to move?

Answer 1

Clear away as much snow as possible from around the tires, under the vehicle and near the vehicle's exhaust pipe.

Improve traction by scattering sand, cat litter, or some other abrasive material around the front tires for front-wheel drive cars or around the rear tires for rear-wheel drive cars. There are also special traction mats that are available, and a vehicle's floor mat may do in a pinch.

Place the car in low gear if you have an automatic transmission or second gear (manual transmissions) and apply gentle pressure to the accelerator.

If you're still unable to free the car, try rocking it gently back and forth. When the car will no longer go forward, ease off the gas and let it slide backward. When it stops its backward motion, apply minimum pressure on the accelerator and repeat these actions until the vehicle rolls free. Don't do this for prolonged periods unless you want to perform major repairs to either your transmission or clutch.

If there are people available, have them assist your car in its rocking motion. Make sure your helpers do not stand directly behind the wheels as they may be hit by flying debris. Also, make sure that any people helping you know their physical limitations. Overexertion, especially by the elderly, can be dangerous.

Answer 2

one thing that makes it worse is to spin your tires and have water on the ice, if you know you might get stuck try to keep your front wheels straight when you are pulling out(easier to keep the car moving), keep a small bag of sand in your trunk for traction......Do Not keep a bag of kitty litter in the car for traction, you hear it on the TV news all the time, it just turns to mud when you throw it out there

Answer 3

Take a razor blade and slice the tread accross abot 1/4 of the way through going from the inside to the outside of the tire.  Make these slits about a half in to an inch apart form each other all around your tire. It will take a while, but it will work.

I also this Les Schwab will do it for you, but im not sure.

My Mom lives in Washington, and she tells me it works excellent and everyone swears by doing it.

Also some put cement bags in the back of their trucks.

Answer 4

If you live in heavy snow belt, you should really get SNOW tires (not just all season tires).  The will easily dig you out of the snow.

Good Luck

Answer 5

keep a spray bottle of ammonia on hand.spray it on the tires and the ice,easy on the gas,and you will get enough traction to get rolling. its cheap and it works.

Answer 6

Shift into the lowest gear and step on the gas as lightly as possible.  If this doesn't pull you out, then gently rock the car by going forward as far as you can then shift to neutral and let the car roll or slide back.  When it rolls back to your starting point, shift into low again and go forward again.  You will likely go a little farther.  Repeat this until you are out.  If it doesn't get you out after 5 or 6 tries, you probably will need to shovel your way out.  Good luck.

Answer 7

There is a simple trick to avoid this. When you pull in, your tires are hot from the rotation on the roads as you drive. When you park, wait a minute or two and then move forward about 2 inches. The hot tires melt the snow and when it freezes, you get stuck. By moving the vehicle after the tires cool off, they won't melt the snow and stick. Good luck.

Answer 8

if your car is front wheeldrive, try easing the gas pedal down, and don't accelerate but very gently. If this doesn't work,try some Kitty litter on the pavement where you start spinning you wheels. If your car or truck is rear wheel drive, try adding weight to the trunk,{about 50 to 100 lbs}, and use the same technique for pressing on the accelerator.

Answer 9

peeling out and heating up the tires like youve been doing seems like the easiest thing to do. It wont waist your tires cause they're wet anyway and it just melts the ice away.

Answer 10

It sounds like you have "0" experience driving in winter weather. You need to have winter traction tires as a minimum. You may consider studded snow tires(if they are legal for your area). You may want to have a friend who is experienced give you some winter driving lessons. Don't take a razor blade to your tires and don't pour a bunch of kitty litter on the ground.