What to do if you get stuck in snow, sand, or mud

Getting stuck in snow is annoying at best. And in addition to being inconvenient and uncomfortable, it can also be dangerous.

If you're stuck along a busy roadway, you and your car are at risk of being hit by other vehicles, and if you're not dressed for the weather, the exposure to the elements risks hypothermia. As wind increases, heat is carried away from your body faster, driving down your temperature. Frostbite, which is damage to body tissue caused by extreme cold, can occur in as little as 30 minutes with a wind chill of -29-degrees Celsius. And after dark, the danger is even worse.

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With heavy snowfalls, the odds of getting stuck are even higher. But you can often drive yourself out of trouble if you know what to do. Here are some tips to help keep you from getting stuck in the first place, and things to do if your vehicle gets hopelessly in a jam. Just keep in mind that if you're in too deep, calling a tow truck is probably the safest thing to do.

Plan ahead. Keep your tires in good shape, properly inflated and not too worn. If you live in an area where it snows a lot, consider investing in winter tires. Also, carry a cell phone and sign up with a roadside-assistance program, such as AAA or Better World Club. Some car insurance companies also offer programs; check to see if yours is one of them. Another option becoming increasingly available are telematics systems such as GM's OnStar.

If you're stuck, rock out. Keep the wheels straight, and using a very light touch on the gas pedal, rock the car forward and back by switching between drive and reverse. If the tires start to spin, stop and change direction. In deep snow, and especially in soft sand and mud, spinning the tires just digs you in deeper. If your transmission has a winter mode, use that. If you have a manual transmission, use second gear. Once you get going, don't stop until you reach solid ground. But if you get nowhere after eight or 10 attempts, try the next tip.

via ca.autos.yahoo.com