To get started, clear a path in front of the wheels for several feet. This can be accomplished by driving forward and backward in the parking space, or if the snow is too deep, some additional shoveling may be required. With the front wheels pointed straight to minimize rolling resistance, shift to second gear (manual transmissions) or to drive (automatic transmissions), and with gentle pressure of the accelerator, try to ease out of the parking space without spinning the wheels. If you let the wheels spin, you will only dig deeper.

Some new cars are equipped with traction assist. This device is designed to prevent wheel spin, especially on a slippery surface when accelerating.

When more traction is needed, use traction mats or spread some sand, salt or any handy abrasive material in front of and in back of the drive wheels. When using devices under the wheels for additional traction or when wheels are digging into dirt or gravel and you are receiving pushing assistance, DO NOT LET ANYONE STAND DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH THE DRIVE WHEELS—they may be injured by objects thrown by the spinning wheels. If the wheels continue to spin, creating a deeper rut, stop and let the tires cool. If nothing works, you might try rocking the vehicle out of the rut. To rock a vehicle, start slowly in second gear (manual transmission) or low gear (automatic transmission). When the vehicle will go no farther forward, release the accelerator to permit the car to roll back. When the vehicle stops its backward motion, apply minimum pressure on the accelerator again. Repeat these actions in rapid succession. Each rock should move the vehicle a little farther forward or back of the hole you are in. When you rock, you must use minimum power to help prevent the wheels from spinning and digging in deeper. (Check the owner's manual for recommended procedure.)

When driving on slippery surfaces, remember: traction is greatest just before the wheels spin. Gentle pressure on the accelerator pedal when starting is the best method for retaining traction and avoiding skids—especially if your vehicle is not equipped with a traction-assist device. If your wheels start to spin, let up on the accelerator until traction returns.

Once underway, keep going. When approaching a hill, observe how other vehicles are reacting and keep far enough behind the vehicle immediately ahead so that you will not have to slow down or stop. This will allow you to maneuver around any stuck vehicles and to increase your speed (within reason) at or near the bottom of the hill to give you the extra momentum to carry you over the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down the hill as slowly as possible. Minimize brake use on very slippery, icy hills; if further speed reduction is needed, gentle, slow brake application (squeeze braking) is recommended to avoid locking the wheels and skidding.

Normal dry pavement following distance (2 to 3 seconds) should be increased to 8 to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces. This increased margin of safety in front will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

Snowy or icy surfaces make steering difficult and require smooth, careful, precise movements of the steering wheel. Skidding in which the front, rear or all four wheels move laterally is caused by hard acceleration or braking, speed too fast for conditions, and quick jerky movements of the steering wheel. Skids can best be avoided by anticipating lane changes, turns and curves; slowing down in advance; and by making smooth, precise movements of the steering wheel.

If a skid should develop due to deteriorating road conditions and/or high speed, don't panic. Don't brake. Don't jerk the steering wheel. In all skids, disconnect the driving force on the drive wheels. To accomplish this, DECLUTCH (manual shift) or shift to NEUTRAL (automatic shift). De-clutching is easy; however, shifting to neutral with an automatic transmission is not as easy, requires practice and should not be attempted unless you are certain of finding neutral immediately. Next, to maintain or regain directional control, look to where you want to go and make smooth, precise steering movements.

In cars with automatic transmissions, shift to neutral only if you are certain of finding neutral immediately. Avoid depressing the lock mechanism to protect against placing the car in reverse.

A skid occurs when you apply the brakes so hard that one or more wheels lock, or if you press hard on the accelerator and spin the drive wheels. Skids also occur when you are traveling too fast on a curve and encounter a slippery surface. Skids fall into three groups: rear-wheel skids, front-wheel skids and four-wheel skids. Regardless of the type of skid you encounter, to regain control of your vehicle, DO NOT PANIC!

The most effective way to get your vehicle back under control during a skid is as follows:

1. Take your foot off the brake if the rear wheels skid due to hard or panic braking. Ease off the accelerator if the rear wheels lose traction due to hard acceleration.

2. De-clutch on a car with a manual transmission or shift to neutral (if you are certain of finding neutral immediately) on a car with automatic transmission.

3. Look and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

4. Just before the rear wheels stop skidding to the right or left, counter-steer until you are going in the desired direction.

5. In a rear-wheel drive vehicle, if you over-correct the first skid (Step 4), be prepared for a rear-wheel skid in the opposite direction. Practice and the use of timely, gentle movement of the steering wheel are necessary to avoid this type of skid.

6. Once the vehicle is straight, release the clutch or shift to drive, apply gentle accelerator pressure so that the engine speed matches the road speed, and accelerate smoothly to a safe speed.

Front-wheel skids are caused by hard braking or accelerating. When the front wheels lose traction, you will not be able to steer the vehicle. Sometimes front-wheel skids are perceived as more dangerous because they are experienced less often. In actuality, front-wheel skids are easier to correct and less hazardous because there is no risk of the car skidding in the opposite direction. Regardless of whether the vehicle has front-, rear- or four-wheel drive, the best way to regain control if the front wheels skid is:

1. Take your foot off the brake if the front wheels skid due to hard or panic braking. Ease your foot off the accelerator if the front wheels lose traction due to hard acceleration.

2. De-clutch on a car with manual transmission, or shift to neutral (if you are certain of finding neutral immediately) on a car with automatic transmission.

3. If the front wheels have been turned prior to the loss of traction, don't move the steering wheel. Since the wheels are skidding sideways, a certain amount of braking force will be exerted. (Unwinding the steering wheel will reduce the steering angle and result in regaining steering sooner; however, the vehicle will be traveling faster because there is little sideways braking force. This technique should only be attempted in situations where limited space and sharp curves exist.)

4. Wait for the front wheels to grip the road again. As soon as traction returns the vehicle will start to steer again.

5. When the front wheels have regained their grip, steer the wheels gently in the desired direction of travel.

6. Release the clutch or shift to drive and apply gentle accelerator pressure so that the engine speed matches the road speed, and accelerate smoothly to a safe speed.

There is no risk at all of the car skidding in the opposite direction.

Sometimes all four wheels lose traction. This generally occurs when the vehicle is driven at a speed too fast for conditions. Here are three situations that often result in four-wheel skids: 1) you enter a curve that is wet or covered with ice, snow, sand, gravel or wet leaves; 2) you are driving down the road and cross a bridge covered with invisible ice, commonly referred to as "black ice"; 3) you are driving on a slippery straight road and apply the brakes too hard (generally in this situation the rear wheels will lock or skid a second or two before the front wheels). The most effective way to get your vehicle back under control when all four wheels skid is:

1. Ease foot off the accelerator or take your foot off the brake.

2. De-clutch on a car with manual transmission or shift to neutral (if you are certain of finding neutral immediately) on a car with automatic transmission.

3. Look and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

4. Wait for the wheels to grip the road again. As soon as the wheels regain traction, the vehicle will travel in the desired direction.

5. Release the clutch or shift to drive and maintain a safe speed.

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