Why Doesn't the Car Move When Pressing the Accelerator on Snowy Days?
2 Answers
Reasons why the car doesn't move when pressing the accelerator on snowy days are as follows: Low cylinder temperature: Starting the car is difficult in winter, whether it's an automatic or manual transmission, following the same pattern. This is because the cold weather causes low temperature in the cylinders, affecting ignition. Water in the throttle cable: If there's water inside the throttle cable, it may freeze, making it hard to press. Warming up the car with the heater for a while can help. Carbon buildup in the throttle body: Severe carbon buildup in the throttle body can cause the oil to become sticky in cold weather, making it hard to press. Cleaning the throttle body is necessary. Open the hood, find the component controlled by the throttle cable, and try to move it manually. If it moves, the issue is with the throttle cable; if not, the problem lies with the throttle body.
The car doesn't move in the snow, and stepping on the gas pedal has no effect. I've experienced this several times. The main reason is that the tires slip on the snow, lacking sufficient friction, just like sliding on ice—the wheels spin but don't push the car forward. The vehicle might also be stuck under heavy snow, especially if parked in deep snow where the front or rear wheels are buried too deep. The engine delivers power, but the wheels can't grip solid ground. In such cases, flooring the accelerator only worsens the situation, causing the wheels to dig deeper. I try gently pressing the gas pedal for gradual acceleration or switching to manual mode and starting in second gear to reduce torque. Shoveling snow from under the car and clearing snow blocks around the wheels can help free it. Tire issues are also common, such as low tire pressure or summer tires being too hard with no grip. Switching to winter snow tires is very helpful. For safety, avoid pushing the car hastily, as it can lead to loss of control. It's best to pull over and use hazard lights.
