❄️ Quick Answer: If your car is stuck in snow, do not spin your tires — you will dig deeper and risk damaging your transmission. First: clear snow from around your tires and exhaust pipe, turn off traction control, shift into the lowest gear, and gently rock the vehicle forward and back. Use sand, kitty litter, or floor mats under the drive wheels for traction. If 10 minutes of trying does not work, call for professional car winching ($50–$200) — far cheaper than the transmission or tire damage caused by forcing it.
Stuck right now? We offer 24/7 car winching and snow recovery across the GTA.
Toronto averages over 100 cm of snow every winter, with the season running from November through March or April. Big snowstorms dumping 10+ cm happen two or three times a year, and when they do, cars get stuck — in driveways, parking lots, side streets, snowbanks, and ditches across the city.
If you have ever found yourself with tires spinning and going nowhere, you know the frustration. The instinct to hit the gas harder is strong — but it is the worst thing you can do. This guide covers the step-by-step process to get your car unstuck from snow on your own, the mistakes that make things worse, and when it is time to stop trying and call for professional vehicle winching.
How to Get Your Car Unstuck From Snow: Step-by-Step
Before you try anything, take a breath. Panic leads to spinning tires, and spinning tires lead to deeper holes. Follow these steps in order:
Clear the exhaust pipe first
Before starting the engine, check that your exhaust pipe (tailpipe) is not blocked by snow. A blocked exhaust causes carbon monoxide to build up inside the vehicle, which can be fatal within minutes. Clear it by hand or with a brush.
Dig out the snow around your drive tires
Using a shovel, ice scraper, or even your hands, clear snow from in front, behind, and underneath your drive wheels (front wheels on FWD, rear on RWD, all four on AWD). Create a path of at least 60–90 cm (2–3 feet) in each direction. Also remove any snow under the car that is higher than your ground clearance — if the vehicle is “high-centred” on a ridge of packed snow, no amount of traction will move it.
Turn off traction control
This sounds counterintuitive, but traction control works by cutting power to spinning wheels — which is exactly the opposite of what you need when stuck. Look for a button on your dashboard or centre console (usually labelled “TCS” or with a car-with-wavy-lines icon). Turn it off. You can turn it back on once you are moving on cleared roads.
Shift to the lowest gear and try the rocking method
Roll down your window so you can hear if the tires are spinning. Put the transmission in the lowest gear (or 2nd gear, which delivers less torque and reduces wheel spin). Gently apply gas to creep forward. If the car moves even slightly, stop, shift to reverse, and let it roll back. Then shift to drive and apply gas again. This rocking motion builds momentum. The key is gentle, steady pressure — never floor the accelerator.
Add traction material under the drive wheels
If rocking does not work, place traction material directly in front of (or behind) the drive wheels: sand, non-clumping kitty litter, road salt, gravel, traction mats, or even your car’s rubber floor mats (turned upside down). Cardboard and tree branches can also work in a pinch. These give your tires something to grip instead of slick snow and ice.
Ask for a push (safely)
If you have helpful bystanders, a push can provide the extra momentum you need. Have pushers stand only behind the vehicle and push forward while you gently apply gas in low gear. Never have anyone push from the front while you reverse — if the tires suddenly grab, the car can lurch backward and injure them.
Know when to stop and call a tow
If you have been trying for more than 10 minutes with no progress, or your tires are spinning freely without gripping anything, stop. Every minute of wheel spin is generating heat that damages your tires and transmission. This is when professional car winching becomes the smart — and cheapest — decision.
5 Mistakes That Make Getting Stuck Worse
These are the most common errors drivers make when their car is stuck in snow — and each one can turn a 5-minute problem into an expensive repair:
❌ Flooring the gas pedal. Spinning tires at high speed generates extreme heat. This melts the snow under the tire into ice (making traction worse), wears the tire rubber rapidly, and can overheat your transmission — a repair that costs $3,000–$7,000.
❌ Rocking between drive and reverse too aggressively. Quick, hard shifts between forward and reverse put enormous stress on the transmission. Use smooth, slow transitions and wait for the car to come to a complete stop before shifting.
❌ Keeping traction control on. Traction control is designed for driving on slippery roads, not for escaping a snowbank. It reduces power to spinning wheels — the exact opposite of what you need when trying to break free.
❌ Forgetting to clear the exhaust pipe. If snow blocks the tailpipe, carbon monoxide flows back into the cabin. This is a life-threatening hazard, especially if you are sitting in the car with the windows up waiting for help.
❌ Using a tow strap without knowing how. An improperly attached strap can snap under tension and cause serious injury, or rip off bumpers and body panels. Never attach a strap to a bumper — use designated tow hooks or frame-mounted recovery points only.
Stuck and Cannot Get Out? We Will Winch You Free.
24/7 car winching and snow recovery across Toronto and the GTA. Typically on scene in 30 minutes.
When to Stop Trying and Call for a Tow
Self-recovery works for light-to-moderate situations — a few centimetres of snow on a relatively flat surface. But some situations are beyond DIY. Call for professional vehicle winching or roadside assistance if:
🔹 Your tires are spinning freely with zero grip after multiple attempts
🔹 The car is high-centred on a snowbank (belly of the car resting on packed snow)
🔹 You have slid into a ditch, embankment, or off the roadway
🔹 You are stuck on a busy road or highway and cannot safely keep trying
🔹 The vehicle has gone over a curb and is partially resting on landscaping or a median
🔹 You smell burning rubber or a burning mechanical odour
🔹 More than 10 minutes of attempting has produced no movement
🔹 You are alone, it is late at night, or weather conditions are worsening
How Professional Car Winching Works
Car winching is different from towing. Towing moves a vehicle from one place to another on a flat surface. Winching uses a motorized cable mounted on the tow truck to pull a stuck vehicle out of snow, a ditch, mud, or any position where it cannot move under its own power. Here is what happens when a winch truck arrives:
Assessment: The operator inspects how deep the vehicle is stuck, the terrain, the angle, and whether there is any visible damage to the undercarriage or suspension.
Attachment: The winch cable is secured to a sturdy recovery point on the vehicle — a frame-mounted tow hook, not a bumper. This ensures the force is distributed safely.
Controlled pull: The hydraulic or electric winch slowly retracts the cable, pulling the vehicle steadily back onto solid ground. This is done with precise tension control to avoid jerking or damaging the vehicle.
Inspection and release: Once the vehicle is free, the operator checks for any visible damage. If the car is driveable, you are on your way. If there is damage to the undercarriage, suspension, or drivetrain, the vehicle can be loaded onto a flatbed and taken to a mechanic.
For a full breakdown of towing costs in the Toronto area, see our towing cost Toronto price guide.
The Toronto Winter Car Emergency Kit
Being prepared for getting stuck costs very little and can save you the price of a tow call entirely. Keep these items in your trunk from November through April:
🧊 Traction & Recovery
Collapsible shovel, bag of sand or non-clumping kitty litter (10–20 lbs), traction mats or old piece of carpet, ice scraper and snow brush, tow strap rated for your vehicle’s weight (with shackles)
🔦 Safety & Survival
Flashlight with extra batteries, reflective warning triangles, jumper cables or a portable jump starter, warm blanket, extra gloves and hat, phone charger (car adapter or portable battery), high-visibility safety vest
The total cost of assembling this kit is $50–$100 at most Canadian hardware or auto parts stores — less than the cost of a single winching call. For more winter preparedness advice, see our Toronto winter driving safety tips and spring car maintenance checklist.
Toronto Winter Hazards: Where Cars Get Stuck Most
Certain spots in the GTA are notorious for stranding vehicles during and after snowstorms. Knowing where problems happen can help you avoid them:
Residential side streets: These are plowed last. After a major storm, side streets can have 15–30 cm of unplowed snow for 24–48 hours. Cars with low ground clearance get high-centred on the snow ridge left by plows at intersections.
Condo and apartment parking lots: Underground ramps can ice over, and outdoor lots accumulate snowdrifts at the edges where vehicles park. Plowing often pushes snow against parked cars, burying them.
Highway on/off ramps: The curves on 400-series highway ramps combined with wind-blown snow create slippery patches where cars slide into snowbanks or off the roadway. The DVP and Gardiner Expressway are especially prone to winter closures.
Steep driveways and hills: Neighbourhoods with hilly terrain (such as parts of North York, Scarborough bluffs, and Etobicoke ravines) create uphill battles that front-wheel-drive cars on all-season tires simply cannot win in heavy snow.
Plow ridges and windrows: City plows leave ridges of heavy, packed snow along the edges of cleared roads. Driving over these to reach a parking spot or driveway can wedge your car on top of a solid snowbank.
Remember that in the former North York area, on-street parking is banned from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM every night from December 1 through March 31 to allow snow plows to operate. For a full guide to Toronto parking rules that can lead to towing, see our post on Toronto parking rules.
The Biggest Prevention: Winter Tires
The single most effective thing you can do to avoid getting stuck in snow is running proper winter tires. The difference between all-season tires and dedicated winter tires on snow and ice is enormous — winter tires can reduce braking distances by up to 25% and provide dramatically better traction in temperatures below 7°C, even on dry roads.
All-season tires are designed for mild conditions. Their rubber compound hardens in cold temperatures, reducing grip on snow and ice. Winter tires use a softer compound with deeper tread patterns and thousands of tiny sipes (slits) that bite into snow and ice. Many Ontario insurance companies offer a discount (typically 3–5%) on your auto insurance premium for running winter tires — check with your insurer.
Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF) on the tire sidewall — this certifies the tire meets specific winter traction standards. Tires marked only with “M+S” (mud and snow) do not meet the same performance requirements. For more on protecting your vehicle through the cold season, check our Toronto winter driving safety tips.
24/7 Snow Recovery and Car Winching Across the GTA
Towing Toronto provides car winching, 24-hour towing, flatbed towing, roadside assistance, and fuel delivery year-round across the Greater Toronto Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get a car unstuck from snow?
Clear snow from around the drive wheels, turn off traction control, and gently rock the vehicle between forward and reverse. If the tires are spinning without gripping, place sand, kitty litter, or floor mats under the drive wheels for traction. If 10 minutes of effort produces no movement, call for professional vehicle winching rather than risking damage to your transmission or tires.
How much does car winching cost in Toronto?
A basic winch-out from a snowbank or parking lot typically costs $50–$150. More complex recoveries from ditches or off-road situations range from $150–$300 or more. After-hours and storm surcharges may add $25–$75. This is always cheaper than the transmission damage ($3,000–$7,000) that can result from prolonged wheel spinning.
Can spinning tires in snow damage my car?
Yes. Prolonged wheel spinning generates extreme heat that can overheat and damage your transmission (the most expensive risk, costing $3,000–$7,000 to repair), wear tire rubber prematurely, melt snow into ice (making traction worse), and stress differential gears, axles, and wheel bearings. If your tires are spinning freely with no forward progress, stop immediately.
Should I turn off traction control when stuck in snow?
Yes. Traction control is designed for driving on slippery roads, not for getting unstuck. It works by cutting power to spinning wheels, which is the opposite of what you need when trying to break free from snow. Turn it off while attempting to get unstuck, then turn it back on once you are moving on cleared roads. If your car has a dedicated Snow mode, that can also help by starting in a higher gear to reduce wheel spin.
Does AWD or 4WD prevent getting stuck in snow?
AWD and 4WD help with traction by sending power to all four wheels, but they do not prevent getting stuck. Traction is ultimately determined by your tires — an AWD vehicle on worn all-season tires will get stuck more easily than a FWD car on dedicated winter tires. AWD helps you go, but it does not help you stop or steer on ice.
What should I put under my tires for traction in snow?
Sand, non-clumping kitty litter, road salt, gravel, commercial traction mats, rubber floor mats (upside down), cardboard, or even tree branches can all provide traction under your drive wheels. Place the material directly in front of (or behind) the wheels in the direction you want to move. Avoid using antifreeze — it is toxic to animals and often ineffective below -4 degrees Celsius.
What is the difference between winching and towing?
Towing moves a vehicle from point A to point B on a relatively flat surface using a tow truck. Winching uses a motorized cable to pull a stuck vehicle out of a position where it cannot move under its own power — such as a snowbank, ditch, or embankment. You may need winching first to free the vehicle, followed by towing if it needs to be transported to a mechanic. Learn about the different equipment used in our types of tow trucks guide.
Does insurance cover car winching in Ontario?
Many Ontario auto insurance policies include roadside assistance that covers winching and towing. CAA memberships also cover winch-outs as part of their roadside assistance benefit. Check your policy or membership before you need it. We also offer direct insurance billing for qualifying calls.
Can I use another vehicle to pull my car out of the snow?
You can, but only with a proper tow strap (rated for your vehicle’s weight) attached to designated recovery points or a frame-mounted tow hook — never to a bumper. Ensure the strap is undamaged and the area is clear of bystanders in case it snaps. The pulling vehicle should apply slow, steady force. Jerking or using a running start with a non-elastic strap can rip body panels off or damage the frame.
How much snow does Toronto get in an average winter?
Toronto averages about 108–122 cm (42–48 inches) of snow per winter, distributed across approximately 53 days. Storms depositing 10+ cm occur two or three times per year. The snow season runs from November through March, with December and January typically being the heaviest months. February 2025 set a record with over 78 cm of snowfall in a single month.
Stuck in Snow? We Will Get You Out.
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