If you have to drive down a dirt road that has turned to slippery mud with the latest rain, you know it's easy to get stuck. And if you live in a hilly area or there is a lot of traffic on the road, it can also be dangerous. To avoid getting stuck or bogged down in your car, you will need a number of driving techniques. Buckle up!
Steps
Step 1. Drive slowly
You'll be much less likely to skid if you take it slow. Try to keep a lower gear to better control the front wheels.
Step 2. Never press too hard on the accelerator
If you feel that you are losing traction, take your foot off the pedal (if you are going downhill) or otherwise keep it firmly on it (if you are going uphill). Nothing makes you choke more easily than giving the engine the throttle, which will only make the wheels spin faster and sink deeper.
Step 3. If you have a rear wheel drive vehicle (not front wheel drive, all wheel drive or four wheel drive), put some cargo in the back of the car, just above the rear axle (in the deepest part of the trunk or in the cargo bed. of the pick-up)
Rocks, concrete and wood are particularly good as cargo, because you can use them if you get stuck.
Step 4. Drive by keeping the wheels on the raised parts of the road, not treading the ruts already formed
These remain wetter and consequently more muddy and slippery.
Step 5. Don't press the brake too hard
If you're downhill, lower the gear or just drive slowly!
Step 6. Do not press hard on the brake pedal to stop
Lower it gently. This method is called "pulsation braking", and it is what ABS does on most modern cars when there is a loss of traction (for example when the road is wet or icy).
Step 7. If you start skidding, turn the wheels in the direction you are skidding (as you would on ice), and start braking gently
If you can't stop and are heading off the road, turn the steering wheel and gently swerve the car away from the edge of the roadway. Suddenly turning can cause the car to overturn!
Step 8. If you get stuck in mud, try to park as best you can, calm down and get out of the vehicle
- Inspect the surrounding terrain and find the easiest way out.
- Take some rocks, small pieces of wood or the concrete you have in the trunk and create a path for your tires, getting as close to the tread as possible (focus on the rear tires if you have a rear-wheel drive car) and don't create a bump too much high to overcome.
- Get back in the car and start reversing very slowly. If the wheels start spinning, try alternating reverse and forward, rocking the car back and forth until (hopefully) your tires regain traction.
- You may need to add more stones or wood several times.
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Lowering the tire pressure can help you get more traction in mud. The residual pressure of the tires depends on the type and size of the tires and the wheels. This solution should also be avoided if you have to drive again on a clean road before you can raise the tire pressure. Lowering it too much could result in less manageability of the vehicle and potential damage to tires or wheels: avoid having a pressure below 20psi (about 1.4 bar) or, in any case, half of that recommended for your tires.
Drive in the Mud Step 9 Step 9. Take your mobile phone with you so you can always call for help as a last resort
If you don't have a cell phone or no phone line, always travel with water and a sleeping bag, in case you have to wait outside for help.
Advice
- If you frequently drive on muddy roads, ask your tire dealer to help you find a type with good traction.
- If you want to increase the traction, try to let some air out: this will increase the surface in contact with the ground and, consequently, the traction. But once you're back on the tarmac, be sure to inflate the tires again according to the manufacturer's directions.
- If you frequently drive on muddy roads, consider purchasing an all-wheel drive vehicle.
- Try to drive gently, otherwise you will get stuck.
