Here Are the Tools You Need to Get Your Car Unstuck from the Snow

Start here. Every car, truck, or SUV needs to have one stashed in its trunk, bed, or boot. To be honest, we’ve found that no matter the brand, the durability of these ice scraper/snow brush units depends on how often and how hard you use them. Our advice remains the same: You’ll get what you pay for. We bought this one from AstroAI a couple of winters ago, and it’s still going strong.

This 18-inch-wide broom has a telescoping handle that extends from 33 to 52 inches long, making it ideal for owners of trucks and large SUVs. The nonabrasive foam is claimed to be safe for/not scratch your paint—but we’d exercise a light touch just the same. Requires two AAA batteries (not included) for the LEDs.

Dual-sided cleats bite both the snow and your tires, providing traction where there is none. Now, whether these work for you will depend on the amount and type of snow you’re stuck in and the kind of tires you have—the weight of your vehicle might be a factor, as well. That said, we’ve seen them work great for sedans that are having trouble getting traction on slippery and icy surfaces. We’ve seen them work great in sand. If you drive a car with low-pro tires, we recommend carrying a set in your trunk—it’s certainly easier than shoveling.

The above tools are great for when you’re stuck in snow—but a foldable, collapsible shovel can dig you out of almost anything, year-round. The ergonomic T-handle and curved scoop make it great for tossing snow, sand, and gravel, and the shaft extends from 22.4 to 33.5 inches. It’s available in black, red, or gold.

These mighty straps are like instant tire chains. Strap one around each tire for extra grip in slush and snow—no digging required and no more spinning tires to dig an even deeper hole to climb out of. Keep the tires straight and the throttle slow and even, and TracGrabbers should bite and pull you out easily. 

If all else fails, you can always ask for a tow. But if you’re going to ask, you’d better have the means. This handy tow strap stashes easily and discreetly in a trunk or toolbox and is ready when you need it.