Don’t Get Stuck In The Mud: A Guide

Living in Upstate New York means that you have to be ready for whatever weather conditions may be thrown our way. One day it is sunny, 70 degrees and the next it could be snowing. So, with these ever-changing weather conditions, we have to be prepared with what to do if we find ourselves stuck in the mud or snow. I know, I’ve mentioned snow twice already and fall hasn’t even fully started yet. But, it’s better to be prepared than to be sorry. This week we are sharing our tips to getting unstuck, take a look and let us know what tips have worked best for you in the past!

• Keep it moving, if you feel yourself beginning to get stuck in the mud or snow, keep your vehicle moving if possible. Any type of forward motion is a good thing and coming to a complete stop will only cause problems.
• Don’t keep spinning your wheels. When you’re stuck, you’re stuck. Don’t continue to push on your gas pedal, this will only deepen the rut that you’re stuck in. Shift into your lowest gear to give yourself more control.
• Rock it out – while gently pressing on your gas pedal, shift between drive and reverse to create a rocking motion to help free you. Doing this repeatedly can help get you unstuck but if it doesn’t work after a few shifts, move on.
• Add traction – use items like rubber mats, blankets, sand, kitty litter, sticks. Place these items in front of your tires and gently press on your gas pedal. You’ve lost traction and that’s why you’re stuck, these items can help your tires get a grip and pull your vehicle out of the rut.
• Keep your wheels straight – don’t turn them.
• Dig, dig, dig. If you’re still stuck, try to dig the snow or mud out from around your tires and make a pathway to solid ground if you can.

At this point, if your vehicle is still stuck in the snow or mud it might be time to reach out to a friend to help push or tow your vehicle out of the rut. You can even reach out to a towing company for additional assistance. Stay safe out there friends!