Tips for Driving in Mud: Effective Techniques for Off-Roading
Most Ukrainian drivers rarely leave the asphalt, especially in wet weather. However, there are times when bad weather catches them off guard, say, right during a picnic or a fishing trip.
To learn how to navigate muddy and puddled dirt roads, read the article from RBK-Ukraine.
Materials from "AutoBild All Leads" and Autocentre were used in preparing this article.
In brief - the theory of tackling mud. Why does a vehicle become helpless on wet soil? Because its drive wheels either slip and spin or sink into the soft ground, creating depressions where they spin uselessly, unable to push off the surface and move the vehicle forward.
Therefore, to at least partially mitigate these issues, a drive on all four wheels (the so-called 4x4) is needed, along with special off-road tires - featuring larger tread blocks separated by wide grooves. However, most passenger cars lack such off-road capabilities. Thus, today we will discuss how a driver of a regular passenger car or a crossover with front-wheel drive and standard "city" tires - whether summer or winter - should behave on muddy roads.
How to Avoid Getting Stuck in Mud
If a driver operates a regular "city" car correctly, they will have a better chance of overcoming a muddy stretch of dirt road. Or at least not getting hopelessly stuck.
Tire Pressure. It can be beneficial to lower the tire pressure to about 1.0 atm. This will increase the contact patch of the tire with the ground, reducing the specific pressure of the vehicle on the weak soil - thus, the car will exert less load. However, remember that with such soft tires, it is not advisable to drive faster than 5 - 10 km/h and for distances greater than one or two kilometers;
Keep the Steering Straight. On the most challenging sections, keep the front wheels straight. This way, the vehicle will encounter less resistance, and the chances of getting stuck will be lower compared to having the front wheels turned at a large angle;
Reconnaissance on Foot. Before tackling off-road challenges, it is wise to walk ahead to assess the route's prospects and strategize your approach - where to gain speed, where to turn, and where to try to bypass muddy ruts along the roadside;
With Momentum. Cross muddy stretches with soft soil by maintaining momentum. Do not stop where there is a puddle, or the ground is clearly wet or literally liquid from excessive moisture;
Unknown Depths. Avoid driving through a puddle whose depth you cannot assess in advance. Ideally, it would be best to measure the depth and soil condition at the bottom with a stick.
More Gas. In sections of soft and sticky mud where wheels are spinning, try to keep the wheel rotations high. This way, the tread will self-clean as it rotates, allowing you to move forward, albeit with some slipping. But, do not forget about the serious danger - if there is no forward movement, the drive wheels may dig out all the soil beneath them and sink into depressions. To prevent the vehicle from getting "stuck on its belly," stop accelerating immediately upon noticing that forward movement has ceased. In such a situation, it would be helpful to have an assistant walking beside the drive wheels to monitor if they are sinking into the ground due to excessive spinning.
In Summary
If you anticipate that your planned route may involve roads with wet soil, puddles, and muddy ruts, it is advisable to carry some auxiliary tools just in case. You may need a sturdy shovel for digging around the wheels, an axe to chop branches for placing under the tires, tire chains (yes, the winter ones), and finally, a long (over 6 m) reliable tow rope and gloves.
As a reminder, recently RBK-Ukraine discussed what not to do in a car with automatic transmission.