How To Get Your Car Or ATV Unstuck

For a burgeoning off-roader getting stuck is quite common. From an off-chamber obstacle of uselessly spinning tires in the air to a gravitational pull towards a muddy or sloppy pit, you face several dangerous situations while off-roading. No matter how careful you are, physics, and limitations of friction will surely get you at some point. Getting stuck in the mud or sand can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, there are several ways you can get out of the situation. The easiest and safest way is to call your roadside assistance provider. Ontario Towing is always ready to lend a helping hand whenever you are stuck or need any type of emergency roadside assistance. However, in some areas getting professional roadside assistance is practically impossible. Don’t worry, there are still many ways through which you can get your car unstuck on your own. The following blog enlists some of the ways you can try to get your car out of the mud, snow, or stand.

The Basic Principles Of Vehicle Recovery

Before you attempt to get your car unstuck, there are some basic principles for safe vehicle recovery practices you need to keep in mind. Here are some tips to follow;

• While it may be tempting, avoid the idea of just forcing your way out of the mud. The continuous revving of the cars’ engine or useless spinning of the tires will only dig you further in the mud. Along with this, it will also destroy your tires, axels, drivelines, and transmissions.
• If your car is thoroughly stuck, your ideal approach should be to increase the contact point of your tire and the ground. By practicing this you can use momentum to reach more solid ground.
• Gaining momentum is key to getting out of soft mud. Once you start moving, keep going till you reach solid terrain.
• Communication is key if you are helping a driver out of a bogged situation. You need to inform them clearly about what is happening to the driving wheels.
• Unfortunately, no single method has been proven to be effective in getting a car unstuck. So, trial and error methods are inevitable in such situations.

Take Stock Of The Situation

To have the best opportunity to get your car unstuck. It is better to understand the situation and know the severity of the condition. If the wheels are deep in the mud or other slippery material such that the chassis or axle now rests on the ground you will have a hard time getting out of the situation. Other warning signs include more than one tire sunken in the mud or any other slippery material – especially the wheels. Similarly, if the frame of the car is teetering from its frame, enough to alter its weight distribution, thereby reducing the traction on the front wheels.

Two-Vehicle Snatch Method

Once you have got the stock of the situation, it’s time to try and get the car unstuck. Most commonly people will try the two-vehicle snatch method first. This method can be quite effective if executed in a proper way with the use of proper tools. For this method, the recovery vehicle must have 4×4 traction and have lock differential in function. Similarly never use your tow ball, rope, or chain to attach both the cars as they can snap and move in a dangerous projectile. Lastly, any out lookers must be aware of the possible splash where the car recovery is taking place.

The Dig Method

The digging method is pretty much self-explanatory. Take a shovel (you will find it in your packed emergency kit) and start digging as much excess mud as you can from around your tire. If you don’t have a shovel try using your hands or any other helpful material you can find in your surroundings. In theory, digging will give you more room to gain recovery momentum helping you to drive your way out of the mud, sand, or snow.

About Us

Ontario towing provides reliable 24/7 towing and roadside assistance services to its clients in Ottawa. If you find yourself stuck on the road due to a flat tire or mud, contact us now and get yourself out of the daunting situation with ease. Serving Ottawa and surrounding regions, Ontario Towing delivers exceptional towing, car lockout, and comprehensive roadside solutions. Their vast array of services, ranging from mobile tire fixes to gas delivery, ensures top-tier assistance for every motorist.