Getting your car bogged in mud is something you look forward to about as much as anyone looks forward to cleaning the bathroom.
Sure, it’s not every day one gets stuck in the mud. However, that one day in the sticky dirt is enough to make up for lost time!
Fortunately, there are several methods for getting your car out of the mud. In this blog, we’ll explore 3 efficient methods, 2 last-ditch resorts, and the safest way to get it done.
Let’s get you unstuck:
Five ways to get your car out of mud on your own
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- Rock n Roll Method
- The Shovel Method
- The Red-carpet Method
- The Pull-out Method
- The Blow-out method
Momentum is the key to getting out of a muddy puddle. Remember that no single method is 100% reliable. The effectiveness of each method will depend on the type of vehicle that is stuck and how deep it is in the mire of it all.
The Rock n Roll Method
The Rock n Roll method involves rocking your car backwards and forwards to gain momentum. It relies on your car's ability to move at least somewhat forward and backwards.
Gently accelerate forward, shift into reverse and roll your car backwards, then return to second gear and rock your car forward again. Make sure you accelerate gently to build momentum without spinning the wheels.
N.B.: Select the lowest gear for an automatic transmission (or D) and second gear for a manual transmission.
The Shovel Method
Talk about digging yourself out of a sticky situation! The shovel method involves digging your car out. Grab a shovel (your hands or any other utensil capable of scooping nearby) and clear as much excess mud around your tyres as possible. This will give you more room to gain momentum and drive your way out. Remember to accelerate gently to avoid spinning your wheels.
The Red-carpet Method
The red-carpet method can help you gain enough traction to build momentum. Remember, this is not an actual red-carpet event, so feel free to use anything from your car floor mats to gravel, rocks and sticks as your red carpet. Place any of these items in front of your drive wheels and slowly accelerate in the direction of your “red carpet”.
Two last-ditch methods to get your car unstuck from mud
- The Pull-out Method
- The Blow-out method
The Pull-out Method:
This method is like a segment from the popular TV gameshow Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, in that you get one lifeline that allows you to call a friend. It involves having another car pull yours out of the rut.
There are a few drawbacks to this one. There’s every chance you’ll get the other car stuck. And if not done correctly, it could lead to multiple car insurance claims.
The Blow-out Method
This method involves dropping tyre pressure by releasing air from your tyres. This is a drastic step – you should only resort to this method after all else has failed.
Dropping tyre pressure might help you get your car unstuck by increasing traction in the mud. However, you should only try this method if you can re-inflate your tyres to the recommended pressure. It may be dangerous to drive your car if the tyre pressure is below the recommended limit.
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