Stuck In Snow? What To Do Before Calling For A Tow

If your car is stuck in snow, stop accelerating and assess your safety first. Only consider clearing snow or improving traction if you are safely away from traffic, on stable ground, and have a clear route out. If the vehicle is in a ditch, resting on packed snow, damaged, or exposed to traffic, call for help instead of attempting to free it.

A blocked driveway in Richmond Hill and a vehicle stranded beside a busy Toronto highway require different responses. Your location matters more than how close the car looks to getting free.

Is It Safe To Try Moving The Car?

Before opening a door, look at traffic, visibility, nearby slopes and where the vehicle could move if it suddenly gains traction. Do not attempt roadside digging or pushing beside moving traffic.

If you are in a travelled highway lane and cannot safely move out of it, call 911. Call 911 for injuries, fire or other immediate danger as well.

On designated provincial highway sections, special towing arrangements apply. If safely stopped within a restricted tow zone and you need a tow, call 511 and select the tow-zone option. Check Ontario’s Tow Zone Program for the applicable locations and instructions.

In a driveway or parking space, ask yourself:

• Can I work without stepping into traffic?
• Is the vehicle stable, with no risk of sliding downhill?
• Is the intended path clear of people, vehicles and obstacles?
• Can I see where the wheels would travel?

If any answer is uncertain, stop and describe the situation to a recovery provider.

What Can You Check In A Safe Driveway Or Parking Space?

Secure the stationary vehicle according to its owner’s manual before getting out. Keep everyone clear of its potential path.

Look for loose snow around the tires and a ridge left across the driveway entrance. Clear only what you can safely reach with a shovel. Do not crawl beneath the vehicle or jack it up on snow or ice.

If packed snow is supporting the underside, digging beside the tires may not solve the problem. Tell dispatch that the car appears to be resting on snow underneath.

Sand or a suitable traction aid may help when the problem is limited grip. Follow the product instructions, keep people away from the wheels, and avoid placing loose objects where a spinning tire could throw them. NHTSA includes a shovel and abrasive material among useful winter supplies.

Do not exhaust yourself trying to clear a deeply buried car. Cold exposure and strenuous digging can create another emergency.

Should You Keep Accelerating Or Rock The Car?

Stop if the wheels spin without useful movement. Repeated attempts are a reason to reassess, not to press harder.

There is no universal rocking procedure or traction-control setting for every car. Consult the manual for your exact model year and drivetrain before changing driving modes or attempting a recovery manoeuvre.

Manufacturer instructions can differ. Ford manuals, for example, specify different limits for rocking and warn about possible transmission or tire damage and overheating. A procedure intended for another vehicle is not a safe substitute for your own manual. See the Ford owner’s guide example and Ford’s vehicle-specific driving guidance.

If you cannot find the correct instructions, skip the manoeuvre. Do not rapidly alternate between Drive and Reverse or continue once warning messages, unusual noises or a burning smell appear.

When Should You Stop And Request Recovery?

Request an assessment when:

• The vehicle has slid into a ditch or onto a slope.
• Snow is packed beneath the body and the wheels cannot move it.
• A wheel appears damaged, trapped or unable to turn.
• The vehicle struck a curb, barrier or hidden object.
• Attempts to move it cause sideways sliding or deeper sinking.
• Visibility, traffic or cold makes further attempts unsafe.

Do not improvise a pull with another vehicle and a rope or strap. Attachment points, equipment ratings, pulling direction and vehicle stability all need assessment. A visible loop or transport attachment is not automatically suitable for extracting a stuck vehicle.

Norman’s winching services cover vehicles stuck in snow and other difficult surfaces. The recovery approach depends on the vehicle’s position, surrounding terrain and truck access.

Does Getting Unstuck Always Mean Being Towed Away?

No. Recovery gets the vehicle out of its stuck position; towing transports it elsewhere.

A vehicle may only need recovery if it can safely continue afterwards. However, getting back onto clear pavement does not prove that it is undamaged.

Tell the operator about any impact, warning light, leak, unusual noise or change in steering. If there is a concern about safe operation, arrange inspection or transport rather than testing the vehicle on a busy road.

Norman’s vehicle recovery service explains the difference between an accessible tow and a vehicle that first needs repositioning or extraction.

What Should You Tell Dispatch?

Start with your exact location and whether anyone is in danger. Then provide:

• Access: Street address, nearest intersection, driveway entrance or parking-lot entrance. On a highway, include direction of travel and the nearest exit.
• Vehicle: Make, model, year and drivetrain, if known.
• Position: In a parking space, against a snowbank, on a slope or off the roadway.
• Condition: Whether it starts, whether the wheels turn, and any damage or warning messages.
• Passengers: How many people are with you and whether anyone needs urgent assistance.

Photos can help explain access and vehicle position, but take them only from a safe place. Do not step into traffic or climb down an embankment to get a better angle.

Ask what the estimated charge includes, whether transport may be needed after recovery, and what could change the estimate. Confirm the current arrival estimate rather than assuming a fixed response time.

How Can You Wait Safely In Snow?

In a blizzard, staying with the vehicle is generally safer than walking away to find help. Immediate hazards such as fire or an unsafe vehicle position can change that decision; follow emergency-dispatch instructions.

Keep warm clothing and blankets accessible. Let dispatch know if conditions worsen or your remaining fuel or battery charge is becoming a concern.

For vehicles with an exhaust pipe, snow blockage creates a carbon monoxide risk. If using the engine for warmth, the exhaust must remain clear. CCOHS advises intermittent engine use and slightly opening a window on the side sheltered from the wind. Do not run the engine if you cannot safely confirm that the exhaust is clear, and never run it in an enclosed garage.

For supplies to keep ready before winter travel, see our winter car emergency kit guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Turn Off Traction Control?

Only if your exact vehicle’s manual instructs you to do so for that situation. Different vehicles use different systems and recovery modes. Do not apply a general internet tip to every model.

Can A Friend Push While I Accelerate?

Avoid combining people near the vehicle with powered attempts to move it. The car can move unexpectedly when grip returns. Keep people out of its path and request assistance if safe snow clearing is insufficient.

Can A Tow Truck Reach A Car Behind A Snowbank?

Access requires assessment. Describe the entrance width, snowbank, slope and distance from a usable stopping position. Send a photo only if it is safe to take one. Do not assume every truck can reach every location.

Need Help With A Vehicle Stuck In Snow?

Call Norman Towing at (647) 244-1129 with your location, vehicle details and a description of the conditions. Norman provides winching services across Toronto and the GTA and can assess access, suitable equipment and the next step.

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.