After a minor car accident: what to do and record
Stay safe, stay at the scene, record the right details and tell your insurer, even when the damage looks small.
21 itemsStart
Car stuck in mud or sand: how to get out
Stop digging yourself in deeper, free the wheels and know when to call for a tow.
24 items · 5 sections · car, driver, mechanic, outdoors, safety
Stop first (5)
- Stop spinning the wheelsSpinning digs the car in deeper and overheats the clutch or gearbox.
- Get out and look at all four wheels
- Rising tide, river or flood water? Leave the car and get to safe ground
- Keep the exhaust clear if the engine runs while you wait
- Share your location with someone if you have signal
Free the wheels (5)
- Straighten the steering wheel
- Dig out in front of and behind the driving wheels
- Clear mud or sand from under the car if it is resting on its belly
- Put traction under the driving wheels: floor mats, boards, branches or gravelMats can fly out. Keep everyone away from the wheels.
- Sand only: let some air out of the tyres to widen their footprintMany drivers go down to about 15-20 psi. Reinflate before you drive on a road.
Drive out (6)
- Traction control off, if your handbook says so for mud or sand
- Use a low gear and the lightest throttle that moves the car
- Go the way you came in, where the ground is firmer
- Rock gently between forward and reverse, only if it gains ground
- Stop after 2-3 tries that gain nothingMore tries only dig you deeper.
- Keep helpers away from the sides and the direction of travel
Call for help when (4)
- The car rests on its underside and digging does not help
- You would need a rope but have no rated recovery pointUse only the recovery points in the handbook, never a bumper. Stay clear of a tight line.
- You are alone, it is getting dark, or the water is rising
- Tell breakdown cover the exact place and that the car is stuck off-road
Afterwards (4)
- Reinflate the tyres to the door sticker pressure
- Wash mud or salt sand off the wheels and underside
- New shaking at speed? Mud in the wheels is the usual reason, clean them
- Keep a small shovel and tow strap in the car if you drive this way often
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