Symptoms
- Wheels spin freely with an engine sound but the car doesn't move
- Stuck in snow, mud, sand, or ice
- Smell of burning rubber if spinning continues
Likely causes
- CommonLoss of traction on a loose or slick surfaceSpinning tires dig in and polish the surface underneath, making grip worse the longer you spin.
- CommonToo much throttle appliedFlooring the gas makes wheelspin worse rather than helping, especially without traction control.
What to do
- Stop flooring the accelerator; ease off and apply very gentle, steady throttle instead.
- Straighten the steering wheel, since turned wheels have less traction than straight ones.
- Try rocking the car gently between drive and reverse (with full stops between) to build momentum, if your transmission allows it.
- Place traction material like sand, kitty litter, or car mats under the drive wheels for added grip.
- Clear snow or mud from around and under the tires if accessible.
- If equipped, engage a low-traction or snow drive mode, or 4WD/AWD if available and not already engaged.
- Call for a tow if none of these free the vehicle, rather than continuing to spin the tires and risk overheating them or the transmission.
Tools and parts
- Snow shovel
- Traction mats or sand/kitty litter
When to call a pro
If the vehicle won't come free after a few careful attempts, call a tow service rather than risking transmission damage from prolonged wheelspin.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.