Quick Summary:
- Clear exhaust, wheels, and underbody first, then shovel a gentle exit ramp.
- Use low gear and tiny throttle inputs, stop immediately if wheels spin.
- Check street restrictions and plough routes, move before snow emergency towing begins.
- Call roadside assistance if tyres are buried, traction fails twice, or bumpers scrape.
Getting stuck in a street-parking space during a Pennsylvania snowstorm is common, especially after ploughs pack a ridge along the kerb. With a car hire vehicle, the goal is not just to get moving, it is to do it safely, avoid damage, and avoid the kind of parking or towing fees that turn a minor inconvenience into a costly day.
This guide covers a practical dig-out routine for city streets, the right way to rock a vehicle without burning tyres or transmission components, and the key moments when calling roadside assistance is the safest option. If you are collecting in the Philadelphia area, it is worth reviewing location information in advance, such as car hire at Philadelphia Airport (PHL) or car hire in Philadelphia, so you know what support channels you have once on the road.
First priorities: safety, legality, then traction
Before you touch the accelerator, make three quick checks. First, personal safety: visibility is often poor around active ploughing, and other vehicles can slide unexpectedly. Keep hazards on, wear gloves, and stand where drivers can see you.
Second, legality: Pennsylvania cities can declare snow emergencies with special parking rules. In Philadelphia, snow emergency routes can lead to ticketing and towing if you remain parked after the restrictions begin. If signage is obscured, look for posted route markings, wide arterial roads, and streets that are frequently ploughed first, these are often the ones cleared aggressively and enforced.
Third, traction: identify what is actually holding the car. In street spaces, the most common issues are a ridge of compacted snow at the kerb, tyres packed into icy ruts, or the underside high-centred on frozen slush. Your response should match the cause, not just the symptom.
How to dig out properly without damaging the car
Digging out is about creating space for tyres to roll and for the car to clear the snow ridge. Rushing usually means wheelspin, which polishes snow into ice and increases your chance of damage.
1) Clear the exhaust and the area behind the car. If the tailpipe is blocked, carbon monoxide can build up quickly if the engine runs. Clear a wide area around the rear bumper and tailpipe before warming the car, especially if snow is deep.
2) Remove packed snow from wheel wells and under the sills. Wheel wells packed with snow can freeze into the tyre as it turns, reducing steering and potentially damaging liners. Use a brush or gloved hand, avoid chiselling with sharp tools that can crack plastic trim.
3) Shovel a path, not just a hole. Create a corridor 1 to 2 metres in front of the drive wheels and behind them. Then carve a gentle ramp through the kerb ridge, rather than trying to climb a vertical wall of snow. Ramps reduce the torque needed, which reduces wheelspin and stress on driveline components.
4) Add traction material intelligently. If you have sand, kitty litter, or traction mats, place them where the drive tyres will first roll. Avoid putting material under non-driven tyres and expecting it to help. In many hire cars you will not have these items, but even a small amount of grit from a pavement edge can help. Do not use rock salt near exposed metal if you can avoid it, it accelerates corrosion and can be messy on carpets.
5) Straighten the front wheels. Turning the steering increases rolling resistance in deep snow. Start with wheels straight, then steer only once you are moving.
Moving the car: the low-damage method
Once you have space, the safest technique is gentle, consistent motion. Think of it as letting the tyres bite, not forcing them to spin.
Use the right drive setting. If your car hire vehicle has a dedicated snow mode, use it. Otherwise, choose the lowest practical gear. In an automatic, select a lower range if available. The aim is to reduce torque spikes and keep wheelspin to a minimum.
Apply tiny throttle inputs. Press the accelerator as if you are balancing a coin on it. If the wheels spin, immediately lift off. Spinning tyres generate heat, melt the snow, and the meltwater re-freezes as a slick layer. Two seconds of spin can undo ten minutes of digging.
Rocking: only if it is gentle and controlled. If the car moves a few centimetres forward but stops, you can try a gentle rock between drive and reverse to build a small track. Pause fully between shifts. Do not rapidly shift while the wheels are spinning, that risks transmission damage and is not covered the same way as normal wear on some agreements.
Know when to stop. Stop attempts if you hear scraping, feel the car hung on the centre, or the tyres dig deeper. That is when damage happens: bumpers can tear on frozen ridges, undertrays can crack, and kerb contact can gouge tyres and bend wheels.
Kerbs, plough ridges, and hidden hazards in Pennsylvania cities
Street parking in snow hides sharp edges. Plough ridges often contain ice chunks, gravel, and even debris. The damage patterns are predictable, and avoidable.
Kerb rash and sidewall cuts. When you turn the wheel while stationary in snow, the tyre can slide sideways into the kerb. Sidewalls are vulnerable, and a cut can mean a tyre replacement. Keep steering straight until rolling, and do not climb the kerb to escape a space.
Front bumper and undertray scrapes. Many modern cars have low plastic undertrays. A packed ridge can act like a ramp that then drops away, letting the car land on the ridge. Digging a longer ramp reduces the approach angle and helps prevent cracking.
Plough timing. If ploughs are still working your street, avoid leaving your car half-extracted while you dig. A plough can re-pack snow around your tyres in minutes. If a plough is approaching, step back and let it pass, then assess again.
Avoiding towing fees: what triggers towing in snow conditions
In Pennsylvania cities, towing during snow events typically follows enforcement rules rather than individual judgement. Avoid fees by focusing on the three most common triggers.
1) Snow emergency routes and timed restrictions. During declared snow emergencies, vehicles on designated routes may be towed quickly to keep lanes open. Move the car as soon as conditions allow, even if it is just to a legal, non-restricted street nearby.
2) Blocking ploughing, hydrants, or driveways. If your car is stuck at an angle, partially in the travel lane, or blocking access, it becomes a hazard and more likely to be towed. Prioritise straightening the car into the space if you cannot leave yet.
3) Abandoned appearance. A vehicle buried for days can be tagged. If you are travelling and the car will sit, keep an eye on weather alerts and local parking announcements. Even when it is not a formal emergency, some neighbourhoods clear streets aggressively after heavy snowfall.
If you arranged your vehicle through Hola Car Rentals for the Philadelphia area, keep your pick-up paperwork and support details accessible. It can also help to know which supplier counter you are aligned with, for example Avis car rental in Philadelphia (PHL) or Alamo car rental in Philadelphia (PHL), so you can locate the correct assistance number quickly when conditions are stressful.
When to call roadside assistance instead of forcing it
Calling for help can feel like overkill, but with a car hire vehicle it is often the most cost-effective choice once you hit certain thresholds. Roadside assistance is the right move when:
The tyres are buried above the tread and you cannot clear a path without significant lifting or digging. Deep packing often means the car is also high-centred.
You have attempted two controlled extraction tries and still have no meaningful movement. More attempts usually mean more wheelspin and more damage risk.
The car is in a high-risk position such as partly in a live lane, near a junction, or on a hill where sliding is possible.
You suspect mechanical or safety issues like a traction control warning, a burning smell from tyres, or a new scraping noise. Continuing can turn a simple recovery into a repair.
You do not have safe equipment. If all you have is a flimsy scraper and you are facing a kerb ridge of dense, icy snow, professional recovery will usually be safer than improvising with items that can damage paint or underbody panels.
If you are travelling with family or a lot of luggage, consider vehicle choice for winter practicality. Larger vehicles can offer more ground clearance, though weight and tyres still matter. For some trips, a minivan rental in Philadelphia (PHL) can be easier to load and manage during winter stops, provided you still follow careful extraction steps.
Preventing the problem: how to park to avoid getting snowed in
The best way to avoid towing fees is not having to abandon a stuck car at all. A few parking habits reduce the chance of being trapped after ploughing.
Avoid the downhill end of a block. Meltwater refreezes there first, and ruts become ice. Flat areas are easier to extract from.
Leave space from the kerb ridge zone. If you can legally park slightly away from the kerb, you reduce how much ploughed snow piles directly against your tyres and bumper. Do not obstruct traffic, just avoid hugging the kerb when conditions are deteriorating.
Fold mirrors and lift wipers only if advised. Some vehicles can be damaged if wipers are lifted and then frozen down. Follow the vehicle manual guidance if available, and avoid letting wiper blades freeze to the windscreen.
Think about your exit direction. If you will need to reverse into traffic during a storm, pick a space that gives you sight lines. Extraction is easier when you can pull forward into a clearer lane, rather than backing through a ridge.
What to do after you are free: quick checks to avoid later issues
Once the car moves, take one minute to prevent a small issue becoming a breakdown later.
Clear lights, number plates, and cameras. Snow-covered lights reduce visibility and can attract attention from police in low visibility conditions.
Listen for rubbing. If you hear a rhythmic scrape, packed snow may be rubbing inside a wheel well. Pull over safely and clear it before it freezes solid.
Test brakes gently. Brakes can be wet and less responsive after digging and stopping. A few gentle applications at low speed helps confirm normal feel.
Reset your expectations. After a dig-out, accelerate more slowly and keep larger gaps. Intersections may be polished to ice by repeated stops.
FAQ
How do I avoid towing fees if my hire car is stuck in a Pennsylvania street space? Check for snow emergency routes and move as soon as it is safe and legal. If you cannot move, keep the car fully within the space, clear around it, and arrange roadside help before enforcement escalates.
Is it OK to spin the wheels to get out quickly? No. Wheelspin turns snow to ice, digs you deeper, and can damage tyres and the transmission. Use gentle throttle, create ramps with a shovel, and stop immediately if you lose traction.
What is the safest way to rock the car out? Make a clear path, then alternate drive and reverse only after the car stops moving. Use minimal throttle and build momentum gradually, avoiding rapid shifting or high revs.
When should I call roadside assistance? Call if the car is high-centred, tyres are buried, you have failed two careful attempts, or the vehicle is in a dangerous position. Assistance is also sensible if you hear scraping or smell burning rubber.
Can ploughs damage a parked car, and what should I do? Yes, ploughs can pack ridges into bumpers or bury wheels. If ploughing is active, wait at a safe distance, then re-clear the ridge and check for new ice chunks before attempting to move.
