14 things every driver needs to know before driving in the snow

14. If you get STUCK, here’s how to get unstuck.

Reuters/Omar Sobhani

Getting stuck is all about your drive wheels losing traction. Getting unstuck is about re-establishing that lost traction.

The simplest way to do this is to recognize that you are stuck — and take it easy on the throttle. Spinning your tires will create a slicker surface and make it more difficult to get out. You also need to recognize when the situation is hopeless so you call for help.

You can take a shot at getting unstuck by using a couple of techniques. First, shovel the snow away from your your wheels. Next, shift into a low gear — first on a manual transmission, “L” on an automatic. Now gradually apply power and ease your way out. If the tires spin, you can throw a little fresh snow under them to try to give the tread something to grab onto.

An all-wheel-drive or four-wheel drive vehicle might assist in applying more traction, but if all the wheels are spinning, that’s no guarantee.

If that doesn’t work, you can put the car in reverse, back up, and then shift into drive for first quickly and try to “lurch” out of being stuck by using momentum.

If that fails, the sand or kitty litter or cardboard you keep in your trunk in winter could be the last resort (besides recruiting passers-by to provide a push). You want something under the tires to give you traction.

Ice is more difficult than snow here because snow can initially provide something for your tires to grip. In the end, if you can get unstuck, you might need to call a towing service to pull you out.

Stay calm — if you remember all these tips, hopefully you won’t get stuck at all!