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      02-07-2014, 06:40 PM   #23
Blubaron79
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      02-07-2014, 08:50 PM   #24
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+1 for pics.

Just buy a tow rope (should be 10-12 bucks) and pull it out very slowly. do not jerk the rope or you could damage both cars.

and keep the tow rope in your car. its the best thing to have in an emergency.
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      02-08-2014, 12:47 AM   #25
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How much snow did you actually get?
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      02-08-2014, 01:17 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pintoom View Post
@feanor.... its a 6 speed manual... and I tried setting DCT off (one short press of the button).

Has anyone ever used the traction devices tiresock, zip ties etc and got free from being stuck?

The door mats just got flung out from below the tire...
I'd be inclined to switch off all electronic nannies with a full 10 second press of the button. And since you're on a manual, feathering the clutch in eco and, as others have said, 2nd gear will help, you want sufficient control to be able to cut the power the moment the wheels begin to spin. You can try watching them while feathering the clutch by opening the door and leaning out a bit.

Hope the door mats weren't damaged!!

Last edited by Feanor; 02-08-2014 at 02:19 AM..
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      02-08-2014, 05:28 PM   #27
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Don't go for the kitty litter. You'll make a mess in your yard. Either buy a rope and pull the car out or get ready to pour many buckets of hot water to melt the snow under the car tracks.

+1 for pics.
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      02-08-2014, 09:04 PM   #28
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Get somebody really fat to sit in the boot. Or the "trunk" as you guys would call it
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      02-08-2014, 10:29 PM   #29
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2006 325xi  [0.00]
no way man, my lawn is way more valuable than my bimmer
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      02-08-2014, 11:15 PM   #30
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Call AAA. It's really that simple. For the $50 a year, at most, they will help you in these situations.
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      02-09-2014, 12:15 AM   #31
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Hope for 40 degrees, and the sun to shine. I know how you feel. My car hasn't moved in two days. Good luck.
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      02-09-2014, 02:17 AM   #32
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Never heard of anyone removing the snow in the tires and I dont think that will help.
Biggest fault is using summer tires in the winter. Its a huge difference when temperature drops.
Is the car lifted up by snow under it? If that is the case you need to remove that so the rear wheels have contact again with the ground.
You might use the jack to put sand under the rear wheels.
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      02-09-2014, 07:49 AM   #33
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I think it's a safe bet he's already moved it and we're not going to get an update.
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      02-09-2014, 11:43 AM   #34
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I know he's gone but I would try some wood boards. Either plywood or 2x12 or something.
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      02-09-2014, 02:02 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kave View Post
You might use the jack to put sand under the rear wheels.
Jack? What is this "jack" thing that you refer to?
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      02-09-2014, 02:14 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ft1330 View Post
I know he's gone but I would try some wood boards. Either plywood or 2x12 or something.
That's a good way to kill someone or destroy your car. I highly discourage anyone from attempting this. Plywood anyway. The 2x12 might be OK if you use a long enough length.

Again, if it's surrounded by snow and has already dug itself in, nothing will work without some external forces to get it started. The tires can't grab something that you shove against them unless it's very grippy.
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      02-10-2014, 10:33 AM   #37
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If for what ever reason you can't use road side assistance to winch you out of there. And you have completely removed any snow infront of it, I would have pulled it out. I've done this to mine several times.

Once the cars are hooked up, first try with the BMW in neutral and the Rav4 in Drive at idle. See if it can just pull you out like it was pulling a trailer. If not apply some gas until the car comes out. Don't use hard violent tugs, your typical strap from Home Depot is not meant for recovery but for towing, it won't stretch and all the forces get transfered to the cars and tow hooks.

If that doesn't work, try the same thing but give some gas in the car too. Only give what is neccessary. On the Rav4 too, don't go faster that the car, you don't want to overrun any gears in car by pulling it faster than it is spinning.

Make sure someone is in the car too, so they can apply the brakes and steer as needed.

If the car is on flat ground, the Rav4 tows something like 3500# so you should be good.
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      02-10-2014, 12:32 PM   #38
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Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.
Tried the gravel method, but the holes in the lawn were so deep that i could not get the gravel beneath the tires. The minute I let out the clutch, the gravel was sent flying.
So back to Home depot, purchased a 3200 lbs rated steel cable, and two 2600 lbs rated hooks.
Pulled the car out with the RAV4.


It has snowed again last night, so cannot take pics of the holes created by the tires.

The cable and hooks have permanently found a place in the trunk for situations like these.... hope I never have to do it again.
Once again all your help is very much appreciated.
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      02-10-2014, 12:41 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Feanor View Post
I'd be inclined to switch off all electronic nannies with a full 10 second press of the button. And since you're on a manual, feathering the clutch in eco and, as others have said, 2nd gear will help, you want sufficient control to be able to cut the power the moment the wheels begin to spin. You can try watching them while feathering the clutch by opening the door and leaning out a bit.

Hope the door mats weren't damaged!!
Tried all of the above... I actually had gravel/mud fly in my face as I was leaning out with the door open trying to feather the clutch.
I used the door mats from the porch, not the ones that came with the car and they will have to be trashed... pretty sorry state with mud caked in.
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      02-10-2014, 12:57 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pintoom View Post
Tried all of the above... I actually had gravel/mud fly in my face as I was leaning out with the door open trying to feather the clutch.
I used the door mats from the porch, not the ones that came with the car and they will have to be trashed... pretty sorry state with mud caked in.
Glad you are out of your lawn. Just curious doesnt your insurance have roadside or something equivalent to help you tug it out?
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      02-10-2014, 01:55 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pintoom View Post
Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.
Tried the gravel method, but the holes in the lawn were so deep that i could not get the gravel beneath the tires. The minute I let out the clutch, the gravel was sent flying.
So back to Home depot, purchased a 3200 lbs rated steel cable, and two 2600 lbs rated hooks.
Pulled the car out with the RAV4.


It has snowed again last night, so cannot take pics of the holes created by the tires.

The cable and hooks have permanently found a place in the trunk for situations like these.... hope I never have to do it again.
Once again all your help is very much appreciated.
Nice! I've had my BMW hanging off a tow strap down my steep driveway more than once. Just be careful with your steel cable and hooks. There is probably a 2:1 or 4:1 difference between working and breaking load.

none the less, never give real hard yanks on that cable and hooks. And if you ever find yourself away from home needing this kind of help, and you happen to find someone with a truck to help you.... make sure they understand this....no violent yanks. I know my 4Runner pulls my 6000# trailer on idle. Imagine the force a cowboy with a heavy gas foot in a cummins dodge will generate on the steel wire rope. They should be able to gently pull you out, barely any gas.
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      02-11-2014, 01:14 AM   #42
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Just don't do this. An oldie, but a goodie.

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      02-11-2014, 08:12 AM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrunner View Post
Nice! I've had my BMW hanging off a tow strap down my steep driveway more than once. Just be careful with your steel cable and hooks. There is probably a 2:1 or 4:1 difference between working and breaking load.

none the less, never give real hard yanks on that cable and hooks. And if you ever find yourself away from home needing this kind of help, and you happen to find someone with a truck to help you.... make sure they understand this....no violent yanks. I know my 4Runner pulls my 6000# trailer on idle. Imagine the force a cowboy with a heavy gas foot in a cummins dodge will generate on the steel wire rope. They should be able to gently pull you out, barely any gas.
Yes I was aware of the dangers of yanking it out... connected the hooks / cable and let the RAV roll back in Neutral...till it stopped.
Put it into reverse and 4x4 lock and eased up on the gas....
Did not take much to pull the car out.
Had my wife sit in the bimmer to apply the brake....
This should have been my first option... but you live and learn...
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      02-11-2014, 10:06 AM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pintoom View Post
Tried all of the above... I actually had gravel/mud fly in my face as I was leaning out with the door open trying to feather the clutch.
I used the door mats from the porch, not the ones that came with the car and they will have to be trashed... pretty sorry state with mud caked in.
Oh gods, that makes me feel kinda bad, won't be suggesting that again, or at least it'll be to only use something that can be destroyed!
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