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Stuck in mud, snow or a ditch

Wheels spinning with no traction — stuck in mud, sand, snow or slid into a ditch. This needs a winch-out (recovery), which is different from a tow.

Try this first

Try these traction tricks

Quick things to try before requesting a winch-out — they work surprisingly often.

⚠️ Safety first

Stand clear of the wheels while someone else drives — spinning tires throw debris. If the car is on a slope, in water, or near traffic, don't push it; request a recovery.

  1. 1Straighten your wheels — turned wheels dig in and add resistance.
  2. 2Ease off the gas. Spinning the wheels fast just digs you deeper and glazes snow to ice.
  3. 3Clear mud or snow from in front of and behind the drive wheels.
  4. 4Wedge floor mats, cardboard, sand, gravel or kitty litter under the drive tires for grip.
  5. 5Gently rock the car: shift between Drive and Reverse with light throttle to build momentum.
  6. 6Lowering tire pressure slightly (to ~20 psi) can help in sand or snow — reinflate afterward.
▶ Watch a how-to video
Get help on the way

Get a winch-out recovery

A TowGo recovery pro will winch your vehicle back onto solid ground.

  1. 1Turn on your hazard lights, especially if any part of the car is near a road.
  2. 2Note how the car is stuck (mud, snow, ditch, how deep) so the driver brings the right gear.
  3. 3Request a recovery and wait somewhere safe — out of the car if it's in an unstable spot.
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