By Madeline Klein on August 6, 2021 in Life Hacks
If you read our 8 tips for extending your car’s life, you know that if you’re stuck in the mud, snow, or any other kind of situation, don’t keep spinning your tires at high speeds. Fight the feeling that if you can go fast enough, you’ll break free, because spinning your tires is extremely hard on your car. It can hurt your transmission, clutches, and more. We’ll walk you what to do instead of spinning your tires like a madman.
How to prepare
For mud, there isn’t much preparation that you can do – besides the obvious, don’t drive in mud. If you’re driving and start to feel your car losing traction or see the dreaded dirt and water combo, slow down and assess the situation before charging ahead.
For snow, you can be prepared! During the winter months (if you live somewhere that gets snow), keep a bag of sand or kitty litter in your car to help give your tires grip if you get stuck. While you’re at it, pack a complete wintertime car emergency kit to be prepared.
How to get your car out of mud
So, maybe you couldn’t avoid it or were a little (overly) confident that you could make it. There are a couple of options to free yourself and forge ahead on your journey.
1. Call in a favor from that one friend with a truck
We all have that one friend, the one with a truck. While their purchase might’ve caused them much regret, it’s definitely helped us and other friends through moves, furniture pickups, and tows.
So, call them up and promise them a post-tow lunch of champions and see what they say. You will need:
- Tow Strap
- Chain
- Powerful Truck/Car
2. Use Roadside Assistance or a towing company
(Pro Tip: Roadside Assistance is included in every Say policy)
This is potentially the priciest option, depending on what your truck friend requests for lunch. However, if you have a policy with Say – Roadside Assistance is included in every policy up to $100 per incident. Definitely a good reason to get a get a quote today!
3. Repurpose your car’s floor mats
Okay, this is the real sorcery. Did you know you can use your car’s floor mats to get free from the mud? No? Us either. Thanks to Firestone, we now know all the hacks and can share with you.
All you must do is park your car and tuck the tip of the car mat under your stuck tire. Hop back in your ride and slowly drive until you gain traction and get to solid land. Then, be sure to circle back and grab your mat!
Firestone also suggests using, “old blankets, pieces of carpet, or a trunk liner” as alternatives to your car’s mats.
Conclusion
Say it with us, “We will avoid getting stuck in the mud whenever possible and leave the daredevil side of us to other adventures.” While it might seem fun to risk it to get the biscuit and make a mad dash across the mud, the cost of towing your car free might be pricey and leave you feeling more discouraged than like Evel Knievel.
Stay safe, friends!