Having grown up in Northern Minnesota where they get real winters, I can
attest to the this method as being VERY EFFECTIVE.  Many a time I got out
of some very serious stuck situations by rocking back and forth.

On occasion, I've even managed to get out when I was hung up on the
frame/undercarriage by bouncing on the car to free it up a bit first, or by
digging out the snow from underneath.

The trick is to NOT spin the tires, rather let the momentum of the car do
the work.

Having the First/Reverse gears in line helps the effort, but is not
essential.

Ch

'89 SyncroBeast Vanagon - Soon to come - New Shocks for the Syncro!
                                 Soon as I get rid of the rust.  ugh - rust
'87 16V GTI
'80 850 Yamaha Special
'87 16V GTI w/ hale damage - parting out - body gone, parts remain
'89 16V GTI w/ toasted motor
'86 Scirocco (8 valve w/ auto) - SO's

Prior Lake, MinneSnowta

**** SNIP ORIGINAL ****
   From: "Bill Davidson" <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Subject: Re: Thx Steve, 2800 RPM & Misc Ramblings (long)

> This is a technique that probably originated with the Model T.
> If you're stuck, and the vehicle will move slightly, you simply shift
> quickly from reverse to low and back, in time with the natural movements
> of the car. When the car is moving forward, you're in G-low helping it
> move forward, and when you can't move forward anymore, shift to reverse
> and go backwards as far as possible, etc. With luck, you'll move a bit
> more with each pass, until you are able to get out of the spot.

....  a good theory.... but in practice most just dig themselves in
deeper.... typically until the frame settles on the ground.... then the real
digging begins :(

Bill