Stuck in mud

[Raging Sheep]

What is the best way to get a car out of mud without assistance or specialist gear?

[Ollie]

It usually involves a lot of digging as far as i'm aware!

Not having much experience in the matter, I guess the most logical thing would be to 'dig' a ramp in front of all four wheels, going from the point the wheel has sunk to, to the land height, then put some flat rocks, sticks, whatever, to make the ramp solid enough to let you drive out?

Sounds like a lot of work though..

[Marmot]

What id do is get out of the car and have a look around, at logs and stones to see how deep the mud is. or use a staff or tent pole.
Deflating your ties to about 16 pounder per square inch, for snow its recomended to be abouve 25 pounder per square inch.
Having mud or snow in the spires of the tire is actualy good, as that will adhere better to the ground surface giving you greater traction

large amounts of wheel spin will only serve to dig you further down.
A ramp, as sugested by hurricane can be fashioned from stones and sticks. Anyhting to give the wheels more purchase.
You'll want a low gear and often a rocking motion will help you get unstuck

[Keefy]

I have forced straw under wheels before to create traction. The best way is to make sure you get lots of straw under the tyre by rocking the vehicle back and forth, NOT by spinning the wheels!
Another good way is to use a blanket or old coat etc. In general the larger the surface area on the mud, the better!

Farmers Jacks (http://www.cumminstools.com/browse.cfm/4,944.html) are by far the best thing to have in your vehicle, they can work miracles!

[Ollie]

I misread that for a second then and thought you were suggesting we kept a farmer in our cars... ;)

Those jacks do look impressive... do you need to keep 4 of them in your car though?! Then where do you put all the climbing gear?! ;)

[Keefy]

I misread that for a second then and thought you were suggesting we kept a farmer in our cars... ;)

Those jacks do look impressive... do you need to keep 4 of them in your car though?! Then where do you put all the climbing gear?! ;)

Hehe, yes a farmer would be handy!
You only need one, they can lift something about a meter off the deck!

Keefy

[grummit]

a hi lift jack as they are known can not only lift to five feet depending on model but can be used as a winch and even a clamp to upto 750 pounds of presure take a look here http://www.4x4now.com/bb0997.htm

[Emanresu]

I once managed to get my car stuck in mud with the added complication that the sump was stuck on rock, meaning that I only had traction on three wheels. With a single jack, you can lift the corner of the car, pile stones or rocks into the tyre space, then do the same at the other corners. This only works if you have a good base under the mud - an you have a lot of patience - but it works well. Naturally, there are safety issues and you should not attempt this if you are congenitally stupid.

[Keefy]

One thing worth investing in before getting stuck in the mud is a limited slip differential or a locking diff! With standard Diffs when one wheel in off the ground then it is driven, while the one on the ground is not! This is what stops you wearing your tyres out when cornering on road and stops one side of your car skidding at every turn! However you don't want this off road!

You can buy limited slip or locking diffs off the shelf or I have heard of people exchanging the oil for lead and vavious other not so fluid substances!

[Digby]

I have heard of people exchanging the oil for lead and vavious other not so fluid substances!

...sounds a bit drastic! (and permanent)

[Keefy]

...sounds a bit drastic! (and permanent)

Hehe, yes, it is rather!

I would not suggest anyone try it, I just 'heard' that it has been done!

[Marmot]

I previosuly stated that you would require a low gear to get unstuck - this is infact untrue. When stuck in mud, or driving in snow it is best to drive slowly in a high gear as this prevents wheel spin.

Sorry for the mistake

[Ollie]

Guess that makes sense! :)

[Digby]

Well the 'mud season' seems to have started in earnest in the South of England for this winter!

[Marmot]

supposedly we're in for some major snow this winter, whats the best way to drive on snow and ice etc?