Trapped in snow, mud, or sand

• Keep the wheels straight.
• If your car's transmission has a Winter mode, use it to limit wheel spin.
• Try shoveling a path.
• Use a light touch on the throttle and try not to spin the wheels. In mud or sand, spinning them will only dig you in deeper. If there's pavement beneath snow, spinning the wheels may eventually wear through to it. But you'll have to turn off the traction control, if your car has it, to spin the wheels.
• Gently rock the car back and forth by shifting between Drive and Reverse. Shift directions when the wheels start to spin.
• Traction mats, snow chains, and fabric tire wraps can help you get unstuck. Sand or cat litter spread on snow or ice can aid traction. Use your floor mats or trunk liner in a pinch.
• You might need to jack up the car to put a traction aid under the drive wheels, but make sure the jack is on firm ground. If it's not, place a plank or something flat and solid beneath it.