How to free a car stuck in mud – a step-by-step guide
Finding that your car is stuck in the mud is trying at the best of times.
Whether it’s in a grassy car park after enjoying a festival, being caught out on muddy country road or even during a weekend of off-road driving, it’s something all drivers wish to avoid. Having to rely on a tow truck service to then pull your car out of the mud only adds to the stress and expense of an already frustrating situation.
All this hassle and aggravation can potentially be avoided with some helpful tips from our 4-step guide to freeing a car that's stuck in mud. The same principles apply to electric vehicles here as well.
If you need roadside assistance you can call the RAC on 03301 598 751 whether you’re a member or not.
How to get a car out of mud
1. Stay calm
If you suddenly find yourself stuck it can be very tempting to push your foot down hard in an attempt free your car quickly before it sinks any further. Unfortunately this only make matters worse.
Before you do anything, stop the car, have your passengers get out and stand a safe distance from the vehicle. With the weight of the car now reduced it should lessen the chances of you sinking further into the mud.
2. Avoid wheel spin
Your car has a better chance of moving if the tyres have some room to manoeuvre. To achieve this, move your steering wheel back and forth to create the necessary room.
Push gently on the accelerator and move as slowly as possible, using the weight of the vehicle to get some traction. For automatics, put the car into its lowest gear; for manuals, use the highest possible gear (2nd or possibly 3rd) and gently release the clutch.
- How often should I service my car?
- 12 simple car maintenance checks
- Best ways to make your car last longer
3. Deflate tyres
Whilst rocking the car back and forth, swiftly change from reverse to drive. Do this no more than 8 times as you can risk damaging your car.
This is a little easier in an automatic or EV, since going from drive to reverse will take less footwork than a manual.
If this fails to free the car, increase the surface area of the tyres by releasing a small amount of air from them. Then dig out an area around the tyres and place something rough under them to provide further traction, be it branches, boards, old blankets or even car floor mats.
Return to the vehicle and once again push gently on the accelerator, moving as slowly as possible until the tyres get some traction and you are able to accelerate out of the hole.
- Towing capacity: how to work it out
- 12 ways you could accidentally invalidate your car insurance
- Glastonbury travel guide - how to get to and from the festival
4. Check the car
After your vehicle is free, remember to inflate your tyres to their appropriate pressure.
Be sure to drive slowly to shed the excess mud from your tyres, before returning to drive at the normal speed. It is also recommended you stop at a safe place to inspect your vehicle for damage. Brake lines are particularly vulnerable in these situations and must be fixed immediately if they are damaged.
Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
- Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
- We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
- Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^T&Cs apply.
You might also like
Video
Car won't start in the cold? Possible causes and preventative tips
When the temperature drops, you may experience problems with starting your car. Here are the possible causes and solutions for a car that won't start.
Video
How to jump start a car in 10 steps (with video)
We show you how to jump start a car in two different ways, firstly, using jump leads and secondly a booster pack, with simple steps and a video too.
8 things you might do and not be covered by your car insurance
Here are 8 surprisingly common scenarios that you might find yourself risking your cover (and a painful minimum penalty of £300) in.
Ten signs your car isn’t ready for the winter
Cold conditions over the winter can exacerbate any underlying mechanical problems with your car and even lead to a breakdown.
Why is my car juddering, jerking or stuttering and what should I do?
We look at some of the most common reasons why your car might shake, judder, jerk, or stutter and what you should do when it happens. Learn more today.
Popular in Advice & Guides
1
Are headlights too bright? Everything you need to know about headlight glare
2
Lost driving licence – how to get a replacement
3
Car dashboard symbols and meanings – warning lights guide
4
What to do if your car breaks down
5
A complete guide to motorbike tax
6
How to check MOT history
7
MOT checklist and comprehensive guide
8
Cheapest cars to insure for new drivers 2025 - Top 10
9
Euro 7 emissions standard: what is it and when does it come into effect?
10