Stuck in Snow or a Ditch in Michigan: What to Do Next

First, make sure you are safe

Check three things before you think about the car.

• Is anyone hurt? Call 911.
• Are you in or near moving traffic? Call 911, keep your hazard lights on and your seat belt fastened, and only get out if you can reach a safer place away from traffic.
• Did you hit anything? Call 911 or local police about the crash before you move the vehicle, unless they tell you otherwise.

If none of those apply, you have time to work out the next step calmly.

Clear the tailpipe before you run the engine

This is the step people forget, and it is the dangerous one. Michigan State Police and MDOT winter safety tips say to check that snow is not blocking the exhaust, and to open a window or shut the car off if needed. A blocked tailpipe can push carbon monoxide into the cabin, and you cannot see or smell it.

If you are waiting a long time, run the engine for heat in short intervals instead of continuously, and recheck the tailpipe each time, because snow can keep building up around it.

How to try getting out

If you are on the pavement or a flat driveway, with no traffic nearby, this often works:

1. Stop spinning the wheels. Michigan State Police warn that spinning can dig you in deeper.
2. Shovel. Clear snow from around the wheels and under the car, especially if it is resting on packed snow.
3. Add traction. Sand, cat litter or floor mats under the drive wheels can help. Stand well clear when the car moves, and never stand behind or in front of the spinning wheels.
4. Straighten the wheel and go gently. Use light throttle. Check your owner's manual, since some cars have a snow mode or traction control setting that helps here.
5. Rock it only briefly. Easing between drive and reverse can work, but stop after a few tries. It is hard on the transmission.

When to stop and call for a winch-out

Stop trying and call if:

• The car is off the pavement, in a ditch, or on a slope.
• The car is tilted, or a wheel is hanging in the air.
• The car is sitting on a snowbank with the wheels barely touching.
• You are on a freeway shoulder or median.
• You hear scraping or grinding, or you see fluid under the car.

A winch-out pulls the vehicle back onto solid ground with a cable attached at a suitable point on the car. Winch-outs start at $125, and we quote yours after you describe the location and conditions. Using a friend's truck and a tow strap can seem cheaper, but attaching to the wrong point can bend parts of the car, and a strap that snaps under load is dangerous.

If the car drives normally once it is out, you may be on your way. If it hit something on the way into the ditch, or it pulls, shakes or leaks, it may be safer to tow it to a shop than to drive it.

Should you stay with the car?

Generally, yes. If you are stranded in a winter storm, Michigan State Police advise you to stay with the vehicle and wait for help. A car is easier for rescuers to find than a person, and it gives you shelter from the cold.

While you wait, wear whatever warm layers you have and keep your phone charged. If you are on a freeway, the rules about traffic come first, so see our highway towing page for what to do on the shoulder. Keep a winter emergency kit in the car before you need it.

What to tell the dispatcher

• Your exact location: address, or highway, direction and nearest exit
• Your vehicle's make and model, and whether it is all-wheel drive
• How far the car is off the road, and whether it is tilted
• Whether anything was hit, and whether it still runs
• Whether you are in a safe spot to wait

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a winch-out?

A winch-out is when a tow truck uses a powered cable to pull a stuck vehicle back onto solid ground. It is different from a tow because the car often stays with you and can be driven away, if it was not damaged.

Can you pull my car out if it is far off the road?

It depends on the distance, the angle and the ground. Tell us how far off the road the car is and whether it is on a slope. Prime O Towing handles light-duty vehicles, and we will tell you straight on the phone if it is beyond what we can do.

Does insurance cover getting pulled out of a ditch?

Sometimes. Roadside assistance coverage or a motor club may include it, depending on your plan. Check with your insurer, and see our guide on car insurance and towing coverage in Michigan.

Should I wait for a plow to clear the road first?

If you are safe and the road is closed or impassable, it can make sense to wait. Call us anyway so we can tell you what is possible and give you the current ETA before dispatch.

Stuck in snow or a ditch near Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, or an approved nearby community? Call Prime O Towing at (313) 476-2614 to confirm availability, your quote, and the current ETA.