With temperatures warming and April known for its rain showers, muddy roads are something we may encounter this spring. But do you know what to do if your car gets stuck in the mud – I surely don’t. This week’s blog is dedicated to just that. I’m bringing you some tips on what to do if you find yourself stuck, literally and figuratively.  

Staying calm is extremely important and although it may be tempting to hit the gas to try to free your vehicle from the muddy mess, don’t. If you accelerate, your car will only sink deeper into the mud and will make the situation worse. If you by chance have passengers in the vehicle asking them to exit will remove any extra weight and will stop from further sinking.

Move your wheel back and forth, this creates room for the tires to maneuver through the mud and will increase your chances of getting your car out of the mess. Gently, press on the accelerator allowing the weight of the vehicle to get traction. If you have an automatic, put your car in the lowest gear. For standards, use your highest gear and gently release the clutch.

You should begin to switch from drive to reverse, swiftly. This will cause a rocking motion which should help free you from the mud, be sure to only do this a few times because it can cause damage.  If this doesn’t work, digging out mud from around your tires and laying down items like branches, a blanket, even car mats in desperate situations can help your car gain traction. Once you are back inside your car, gently press on the accelerator until the tires have traction and you are able to accelerate out of the mud.

When you’re vehicle is free, don’t forget to pick up any items you may have needed to use for traction. Be careful returning to normal speed, excess mud from tires should be shed at slower speeds to reduce the risk of damage. Give your car a quick look over to ensure there is no damage, brake lines are exceptionally vulnerable and need to be fixed immediately.

Give us a call if you have any questions or need to schedule a service appointment.