When visiting a coastal or forest area by car to help victims of natural disasters, often the available parking area is not covered with solid objects, but sand or mud. This can pose a risk that is quite troublesome, namely the vehicle’s wheels get trapped when the car is driven. Getting stuck in a car tire stuck in sand or mud can sometimes be very difficult as the tire is buried deep enough. Sometimes, a tool is needed that can jack the car up and help the tires gain traction. For this reason, the following may be a reference for you when car tires are stuck in the sand or mud.
1. Gas slowly
When a quarter of your tire has entered the sand or mud, do not force it to hit the gas deeply, especially if your car has two wheels. Instead of being freed, car tires will actually get trapped deeper in the sand.
The step that must be done is to check the surface of the sand or mud, whether the surface has a density or not. Then, gas your car slowly. If a slip occurs, take your foot off the gas pedal.
2. Mount the tires with rocks or wood
The next step, try to prop your tires with rocks or wood to help the tires gain traction. The trick, put the stone or wood on the driving wheel as a foundation.
If your car has a rear wheel drive, place the rock or wood on the rear wheel. Conversely, if the car has a front wheel drive, position a stone or wood in the front wheel.
3. Reduce tire pressure
If your tires are still not getting enough traction, try reducing the pressure by about 20 to 25 percent. For example, a car tire with a pressure of 35 Psi (Pounds per Square Inch), you can reduce the wind pressure by about 7 to 8 Psi. This trick is useful so that your car tires are more treaded when you are trying to get out when stuck in the sand or mud.
4. Tie the tires with rope and wood
In addition, there is another trick that can help you if you get stuck in sand or mud, which is to tie your tires with string and wood. First, look for thick and strong wood that is sufficiently long, about 50 centimeters. Then, tie the wood to the car tire. Make sure the ties you make are strong enough to hold the wood against the tires. When finished, it’s time for you to step on the gas pedal. But be careful not to step on the gas too deeply, there needs to be a break so that the wooden ties are maintained.
5. Pull using another car
This last method inevitably has to be done if your car tires are stuck deeper. Better, don’t force the gas pedal to the car if the tires are difficult to rotate because it can interfere with the components in it.
Immediately ask for help from another car or if necessary, contact the special team that is in charge of dealing with the problem.