Off-road driving is a popular activity with Jeep drivers, but there are times when you find yourself stuck. Whether you are driving in the mud on purpose or you get stuck there by accident, there are a few things you can do to get your Jeep out of a sticky situation.
Move the Tires Slowly
Keep in mind that the reason you are stuck is because your tires do not have any traction. First, move the steering wheel from side to side to create some extra room for the tires to move. Then press down gently on the accelerator to allow the weight of the vehicle to make the tires grip down on the mud. If you are driving an automatic, use the lowest gear, and if you are driving a manual transmission, use the highest gear.
Dig Out
You can also create some room for the tires to grip by digging out the mud in front of the tires. Once you have some extra room, take the floor mat, a blanket or anything else you might have in the vehicle and wedge it under the tires. Slowly move the car forward until the tires can grip on to the item and get going out of the mud. If you don’t have anything in the car you can also gather sticks and branches to put under the tires too.
Deflate the Tires
If you can, let just a small amount of air out of the tires. This increases the area where the tires meet the ground to help give you better traction. It will also help to give them some more room to move. If you do let some air out, remember to inflate them again to the proper pressure before going far. You also want to drive slowly at first to help get rid of the mud that might be stuck to the tires.
Rock It Out
If slow acceleration is not working try rocking it out. Put it in first and accelerate, then change it to reverse and accelerate. Repeat this no more than 8 times so you don’t do any damage to the car. You can also try turning the tires while you accelerate to gain more traction.
Always Drive Prepared
If you are planning on going off-roading, then you should carry items in the car to help you get out if you get stuck. Keep a shovel, a hi-lift, a tree strap, and some chains in the Jeep with you. This gives you some options so you can try a few different things if one doesn’t work. If you are prepared for different circumstances, you can get out of almost any muddy situation you find yourself in.
Even if you are not planning on driving in the mud it is a good idea to keep some things in the vehicle in case of an emergency. If you are off-roading, plan to go with someone else who can help you get out. If you can’t get out, you can always call for a tow.
Image by kee_kj is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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