3 tips to get out of a snow bank without hassle

In the next few days, with street cleaning being what it is, parking your car is likely to become a tedious task. Getting out of the parking lot could be even more so! Shovel, salt, etc. We give you three tips to avoid getting stuck.

1. The shovel
The first thing you should do, as soon as you notice your wheels are spinning "in the butter", is to get the wheels off. Make sure you always have a shovel in the trunk. Be sure to dislodge as much snow as possible from around the wheels and under the vehicle. By doing this, you give your car more traction.

2. The salt
Again, the goal is to gain traction for your tires. When your car is stuck on a patch of ice, sprinkle salt around the wheels. This will give the tires more traction and help you get out of trouble.

If you don't have salt, you can use sand, or even cat litter! This last one having absorbent properties will absorb the water contained between your tires and the ice, and will create a rougher surface.

3. Anti-skid plates
Traction plates, also known as traction aids, are available at a lower cost and are generally very effective. The serrated part is placed towards the snow and the metal tab is glued to the front tires (front wheel drive) or to the rear tires (rear wheel drive). The car is then driven forward until it is completely on the plates.

Still not working?
Of course, you can try the back-and-forth technique a few more times. Don't hesitate to refer to the Owner's Manual to find out the speed that should not be exceeded in a skidding situation; failure to do so could result in damage to your car. Otherwise, you can always call a tow truck. Also, if you are a CAA-Quebec member, you are entitled to four free service calls.