The fastest self-recovery short of a winch. A pair in the trunk from November to April gets a car or SUV out of almost any snowbank.
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~$70 typical price
Buy on AmazonUse-case guide · 2026
Best winter car gear for Getting Unstuck in Snow
Getting stuck in snow is mostly a technique problem with a gear component. The technique: stop spinning the tires the instant you lose traction, straighten the wheels, clear the snow in front of and behind the drive tires, and either rock gently or put something grippy under them. The gear: traction boards, a shovel, and sand or cat litter. With those three, most cars can get out of most things they got into.
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What getting unstuck actually needs
Rule one
Stop spinning — spinning polishes ice and digs you deeper
Must-haves
Traction boards, shovel, sand or cat litter
- ▸Rocking: shift forward, gentle throttle until you stop moving, shift reverse, repeat, building a little more travel each time. Turn traction control off so the car lets the wheels turn. Straight steering — turned wheels plow.
- ▸Dig the face of the drive tires clear down to something solid, and clear snow from under the chassis if the car is beached.
- ▸Traction boards: push the tapered end under the drive tire's leading edge, ease on with the lightest throttle. Don't spin on the board.
- ▸Sand, cat litter, floor mats, or the kit's cardboard box under the tire all work in a pinch; boards work far better.
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Our picks
If you're regularly on an unplowed road or a steep driveway, chains stop you from getting stuck in the first place — and pull you out when you do.
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~$85 typical price
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The low-profile cable chain for cars and crossovers — same idea, sized for tight wheel wells.
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Digging out a tire with bare hands at 10°F is how frostbite starts. A warmer in each glove makes the job survivable.
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~$25 typical price
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- ▸Know where your tow hooks are before you need them, and never let anyone pull from a bumper or suspension part.
- ▸If you're truly stuck and help is coming, stay with the car — it's shelter and it's visible. Clear the tailpipe before idling for heat.
- ▸A folding shovel in the trunk is the gear item nobody regrets. Pair it with the boards.
Frequently asked questions
Should I turn off traction control when I'm stuck?
Usually yes. Traction control cuts power when it senses wheelspin, which prevents the gentle, sustained wheel speed rocking requires. Turn it off, rock gently, and turn it back on once you're moving.
Do I really need traction boards if I have AWD?
AWD gets you going on slippery surfaces; it doesn't help when all four tires are in deep snow or on polished ice. Boards give any tire something to grip — AWD owners get stuck less often, but they still get stuck.