I've had to get my car winched out of the snow twice in these last 2 days. Got stuck in an alley both times, Chicago.


6+ hour waits each time.

This is my first winter owning this car.

I'm not really a gear head, is it even possible to attach a winch to this car, and hook it up to a tree or something solid, to pull myself out if the car gets stuck again ?

 

Winter/snow tires would be a good investment.

Chicago alleys are for **** though. They barely plow the side streets, and alleys are not plowed for your benefit (according to what the mayor or streets/san guy said on the news the other day). Their defense was by plowing alleys they'd be pushing the snow against garages.

I worry though that even with winter tires, you may still get stuck in an alley. This car doesn't have the greatest ground clearance, and on packed snow (middle of the lane), you may still get stuck.

 

+1 on the snow tires, they're your best bet, gearhead or not. The all-season tires on your G37xS are not up to the task. Dedicated snow tires will make a world of (traction) difference. Forget about the winch idea- it just won't work.

 

Snow tires, and do your best to stay out of alleys when we get 20" of snow.

Nothing short of a monster truck will get you out of that.

 

Why not slap a snow plow on the front? You can clear your way and not get stuck and also make extra money clearing peoples' driveways.

But seriously, just get better tires watch where you drive/park. Alternately, you could put your tow hook on the front and keep a come along in the trunk and you might possibly be able to pull yourself out of a situation without turning making your grand touring car look like a hilbilly monster truck.

 

I'd rather attach a "wench" to my car than a "winch"

 

LOL. Actually, a winch is easy to mount onto a G. Just drill 4 holes in the hood and slap it on there. Doubles as a hood ornament.

 

I have this:


Its $185 at WalMart online. Its a PORTABLE 12v winch that I use on my trailer when needed. Its rated to pull 2500 pounds and I've pulled vehicles much heavier onto the trailer with ease, so getting a G37 several feet out of a snowbank will be a piece of cake. You can store this in your trunk and attach it to your front tow hook when needed, then attach the line to a solid object nearby. Tow truck (as you've probably already found) will pull the car from the same spot.

Edit - adding another pic:


Just to clarify, you attach the nylon ****** loop to the G37's thread-in tow hook and pull the cable out to a solid fixed object. Add alligator clips to your battery, plug in the remote and you are set.

 

Or maybe a Hand Winch?
Maybe a better brand than Harbor Freight.

Just noticed it only has a 10' line. You'd probably want more than that.

Edit: Just noticed that Black Betty already mentioned this. I didn't know it was called a Come-Along.

 

That's because I am older than most here and grew up in the country. The proper name is a hand winch or cable puller.

 

I live in Chicago as well and own an xS. I run Michelin X-Ice snow tires. Never been stuck. I had a foot of snow in my alley after this past blizzard and I plowed right through it. Also, move the "SNOW" button to ON when in deep snow.