[Zak]

> This doesn't sound as useful as putting the car in 2nd, or rocking back and forth?

Neither of those cause the wheel with more traction to get any torque. Applying the brakes lightly will. Rocking and manually preventing wheelspin with the brake can be combined.

In theory, traction control will as well, but traction control may also intervene and decrease power right when you need it as you're getting unstuck, so there's potential merit in turning it off and preventing excess wheelspin with the brake yourself.

Source: I learned to drive in Alaska, and I have used this technique.

[failedengineer]

yeah, Alaska and Sibera are pretty much the only places with worse winters than where I learned. I'll keep this in my pocket for times when I'm spinning a wheel and am out of other options. We only get a few inches a year here, but my traction control might be out someday.

Thanks!