How To Get Your Car Unstuck From Mud Or Sand | Budget Direct
Maybe your like
Canstar & Money Magazine's Insurer of the Year
Contact Us Make a Claim Retrieve a Quote Login Contact Login Menu Close- Car Insurance
Make a claim
Find out how to lodge a claim.
Compare car insurance savings
Compare our prices against our competitors'.
Compare policy benefits
Find the right insurance policy for you.
Car insurance reviews
See what our customers think of us.
Car insurance FAQs
Get answers to common questions.
Car Insurance
15 %^ off On your first year’s premium for a new policy purchased online Get a Quote ^Conditions Apply Car Insurance Comprehensive Car Insurance Third Party Car Insurance - Home Insurance
Make a claim
Find out how to lodge a claim.
Compare home insurance savings
Compare our prices against our competitors'.
Compare policy benefits
Find the right insurance policy for you.
Home insurance reviews
See what our customers think of us.
Replacement cost calculators
Estimate your home replacement costs.
Home insurance FAQs
Get answers to common questions.
Home Insurance
30 %^ off Home & Contents Combined On your first year’s premium for a new policy purchased online (15% combined + 15% online) Get a Quote ^Conditions Apply Home Insurance Home & Contents Insurance Home Building Insurance Contents Insurance Landlord Insurance Renters Insurance -
Special Offer
Travel InsuranceMake a claim
Lodge a claim with us.
Compare travel insurance
Find the right insurance policy for you.
Overseas emergency assistance
What to do and who to call in an emergency.
Travel Insurance FAQs
Get answers to common questions.
Travel Insurance
15 %^ off Policies purchased online Get a Quote ^Conditions Apply Travel Insurance Comprehensive Travel Insurance Essential Travel Insurance Basic Travel Insurance Annual Multi-trip Insurance Domestic Travel Insurance COVID 19 - Pet Insurance
Make a claim
Find out how to lodge a claim.
Pet insurance FAQs
Get answers to common questions.
How well do you know your
Take the quiz to discover how your pet's habits, behaviours and environment can impact their lifelong health.
Compare Pet Insurance
Pet Insurance
15 %^ off On your first year’s premium for a new policy purchased online Get a Quote ^Conditions Apply Pet Insurance Plus Pet Insurance Comprehensive Pet Insurance Essential Pet Insurance Dog Insurance Cat Insurance - Motorcycle Insurance
Make a claim
Find out how to lodge a claim.
Compare policy benefits
Find the right insurance policy for you.
Motorcycle insurance FAQs
Get answers to common questions.
Motorcycle Insurance
15 %^ off On your first year’s premium for a new policy purchased online Get a Quote ^Conditions Apply Motorcycle Insurance Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance Third Party Motorcycle Insurance Scooter Insurance - Life Insurance
Life Insurance Claims
Find out how to lodge a claim for policies purchased on or after 14 February 2022
Existing Customers
If you purchased Budget Direct Life Insurance on or before 30 June 2018 Click Here
Life Insurance FAQs
Get answers to common questions.
Life Insurance
1 Month Cover FREE§
Get a Quote §Conditions Apply Life Insurance Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Insurance Trauma Insurance Income Protection Cover Life Insurance Calculator - Roadside Assistance
Broken down?
Call 1800 514 448
Roadside Assistance FAQs
Get answers to common questions.
Standalone Roadside Assistance
WITH 15%‡ ONLINE DISCOUNT
$ 76 .46 /YEAR FULL PRICE $89.95/YEAR On your first year’s membership when you purchase online Get a Quote ‡Conditions Apply Roadside Assistance Immediate Roadside Assistance
- Existing Customers
Make a claim
Find out how to lodge a claim.
Make a claimInsurance discounts
Get a quote and buy a new car or home and/or contents insurance policy online and you'll save 15% to 30% on your first year's premium.
Online discountsExisting customer reviews
See what our customers think of us.
Existing customer reviewsExisting Customer
eGift card offer
Purchase a new Pet Insurance policy and get a $100 eGift Card.*
Use Code: ECGIFT
*T&C's applyExisting Customers
At Budget Direct we value our customers and pride ourselves on providing great value insurance that you can rely on when you need it most.
Login Existing Customers Policy Manager Make a Claim Vehicle Assessment Centres Make a Complaint Hail Warnings Rewards Fuel Discounts Customer Assistance National Contracted Repairers
- Roadside Assistance
- Guides
- How to get your car unstuck from mud or sand
Related articles
- How to change a car tyre
- Car maintenance and servicing checklists
- Broken Down Car? Here’s What To Do
- How to change a car battery
- 16 things to put in a car emergency kit
- Roadside assistance buying guide
- What to do if your car breaks down on a highway
- Australia Day road trips survey 2021
- Best road trips Australia
- Roadside Assistance Survey and Statistics 2024
- Roadside Assistance Survey & Statistics 2022
- Tips for maintaining your car while not in use
- Warning signs your car might break down soon
- How to check and add oil to your car
- Tyre health survey 2020
- How to get the ideal tyre pressure for your car
- How to transport your bike by car
- Common Roadside Callouts 2025
- Common roadside callouts 2021
- Family Road Trips Survey and Statistics 2024
- Family Road Trips Survey & Statistics 2022
- Road Trip Planner Australia
- When should I get my brake pads replaced?
- How to Check Tyre Tread
- How Often Should You Get Your Car Serviced?
Getting your car stuck in sand or mud is inconvenient and frustrating.
Fortunately, there are several ways to get your vehicle unstuck efficiently and safely.
One is to call for roadside assistance, especially if you’re alone.
(Budget Direct Roadside Assistance can help you only if you get stranded on a sealed road that is trafficable by a standard two-wheel-drive recovery vehicle. We won’t abandon you, though, and can arrange for a third party to rescue your car at your cost.)
If calling for help is impractical or impossible, don’t worry. There are several methods for freeing your car from sand or mud.
The basic principles of vehicle recovery
Before you attempt to get your car unstuck, it’s important to understand the basic principles of safe vehicle recovery to avoid making the situation worse. Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:
- While it may seem tempting to try to drive your way out of the mud or sand, excessive spinning of your tyres will most likely just dig you into a deeper hole. Continuously revving the engine of a thoroughly stuck car may damage tyres, axles, transmissions, drivelines, and in most instances will only dig the car in deeper.
- If the car is thoroughly stuck, your best option is usually to improve traction by increasing the contact patch that each drive wheel makes with the ground. Following this, you want to use momentum to get to more solid ground.
- Momentum is the key to getting unstuck from sand or mud. Once you start moving, keep the momentum going until you are on more solid terrain.
- Communication is also very important. If you are helping a driver recover from a bogged situation, you need to communicate to them what is happening with the driven wheels.
- Unfortunately, no single method of vehicle recovery is foolproof. The effectiveness of these methods will vary depending on the type of vehicle that is stuck and how severely the vehicle is stuck. Therefore, trial and error will often be necessary to get your car unstuck.
Take stock of the situation
To have the best chance of getting your vehicle unstuck, it’s important to understand the severity of the situation. If it is possible to safely exit your vehicle, there are a few details that can indicate the correct course of action to follow. If the wheels have been buried deep enough that the axle or chassis now rests on the ground, then you will probably have a more difficult time getting the vehicle unstuck. Other warning signs include having more than one wheel – especially drive wheels – sunken into the loose, slippery material, or if the vehicle is teetering by its frame enough to alter its weight distribution, thereby reducing traction on the drive wheels.
Two vehicle snatch method
Now that you have taken stock of the situation, it’s time to attempt to recover your vehicle. First up is the two vehicle snatch method. While this method can be effective if executed correctly, there are a few safety precautions that you need to take before attempting it. For starters, the recovery vehicle should have 4×4 traction and a locking differential. Further, you should only attempt this recovery method with proper recovery equipment. This includes a 4×4 snatch strap and proper anchor/recovery points. Do not use your vehicle’s tow ball, as it can snap off and become a dangerous projectile. Similarly, never attempt this type of recovery with a chain or a rope as they could snap and become a dangerous projectile. Lastly, any onlookers should be well clear of the strap while the recovery is taking place.
To execute the two vehicle snatch method, first, attach the snatch strap to the stuck vehicle’s recovery point. Attaching the snatch strap can vary from vehicle to vehicle, however, most snatch straps will usually come with a safety manual explaining the process, so be sure to consult this to ensure the strap is correctly attached. Next, lay the snatch strap on the ground in front of the stuck vehicle, and back the rescue vehicle up until there are only a few metres of slack in the strap. Then, attach the snatch strap to the rescue vehicle and place the strap damper over the middle of the strap – this will remove some of the power from the snatch strap if it breaks.
Before you attempt the rescue, ensure the drivers of both vehicles can clearly communicate with each other. Now it is time to attempt the rescue. On a previously agreed signal – usually a countdown from three – the rescue vehicle should accelerate forwards in a straight line in a controlled manner (i.e. not at full speed). The snatch strap should then stretch to its full extension and rebound, catapulting the stuck vehicle out of the sand or mud. Once the driver of the stuck vehicle feels the strap pulling their vehicle forwards, they should accelerate in a straight line, matching the rescue driver’s speed. It may take a few attempts to gain sufficient momentum, so repeat this process as necessary.
The rocking method
If the two vehicle snatch method is unsuccessful, there are a few other methods you can try to get your car unstuck. Next is the rocking method. As we have already mentioned, momentum is key to getting your car unstuck. Accordingly, the rocking method is exactly what it sounds like: rocking your car backwards and forwards to gain momentum.
This method relies on your vehicle being able to move at least slightly forwards and backwards, so if your car is thoroughly stuck, this method is unlikely to be effective.
Essentially, you accelerate slightly forwards, then put your car into reverse and roll backwards, then switch back to drive and accelerate forwards again. Select the lowest gear for an automatic transmission, and second or third gear for a manual transmission. Make sure you accelerate gently, trying to build momentum without spinning the wheels in place. As the driver, you should feel when the car begins to gain momentum. Often, you will be able to generate enough momentum to get your vehicle unstuck.
The dig method
The dig method is fairly self-explanatory, but it can also be highly effective. Basically, grab a shovel (ideally you will have one packed in your emergency kit), and clear as much excess mud/sand as you can from around your tyres. If you don’t have a shovel handy, you can try scooping with your hands, or any other materials you have nearby. In theory, this will give you more room to gain momentum and drive your way out.
The random objects method
One of the keys to getting your car unstuck is gaining traction. A lot of the time, random objects from your car can help. For example, wedging a car mat under your drive wheels can help you gain momentum and traction. For a rear-wheel drive vehicle, place the mat under the rear passenger side wheel, while for a front-wheel drive, place the mat under the front driver’s side wheel. Of course, this can vary depending on your situation. Other items that may help you gain traction include sticks, leaves, gravel, rocks, and sand. Try placing these items in front of your wheels and slowly accelerating forwards.
Surprisingly, cat litter is an excellent tool to help you gain traction if you ever get stuck. As such, it’s worth keeping some on-hand so that you’re prepared in case of emergency.
The increase weight method
Another method to get your car unstuck is redistributing weight in the vehicle by placing extra weight over the drive wheels. If you are able to push this weight past the wheels (particularly effective for rear-wheel drive vehicles) you may be able to cantilever the weight by increasing downward force.
For rear-wheel drive cars, place any heavy objects you can find in the back seat or boot. For front-wheel drive cars, place any heavy objects in the passenger side footwell. Be sure to never place any heavy objects on the car’s bonnet. Similarly, never let people sit on the bonnet in an attempt to add weight to the vehicle, as this can be dangerous.
The drop tyre pressure method
While this method should be used as a last resort, dropping tyre pressure can sometimes help you to get unstuck from sand or mud. Nevertheless, you should only attempt this method if you have access to a tyre pump or compressor, as it can be unsafe otherwise.
By decreasing your tyre pressure, you will increase tyres’ surface area. In turn, this increases the tyres’ contact patch with the sand or mud. Having more of your tyres’ tread in contact with the surface may help you gain the traction required to get unstuck.
Of course, be sure to re-inflate your tyres to the recommended pressure once you have successfully recovered your vehicle.
Key takeaways
- Gaining momentum and traction are key to getting your vehicle unstuck.
- Finding the most effective method usually involves trial and error.
- While Budget Direct Roadside Assistance cannot rescue your car if it’s bogged in mud or sand, we can arrange for a third party to rescue it at your cost.
Related articles
- How to change a car tyre
- Car maintenance and servicing checklists
- Broken Down Car? Here’s What To Do
- How to change a car battery
- 16 things to put in a car emergency kit
- Roadside assistance buying guide
- What to do if your car breaks down on a highway
- Australia Day road trips survey 2021
- Best road trips Australia
- Roadside Assistance Survey and Statistics 2024
- Roadside Assistance Survey & Statistics 2022
- Tips for maintaining your car while not in use
- Warning signs your car might break down soon
- How to check and add oil to your car
- Tyre health survey 2020
- How to get the ideal tyre pressure for your car
- How to transport your bike by car
- Common Roadside Callouts 2025
- Common roadside callouts 2021
- Family Road Trips Survey and Statistics 2024
- Family Road Trips Survey & Statistics 2022
- Road Trip Planner Australia
- When should I get my brake pads replaced?
- How to Check Tyre Tread
- How Often Should You Get Your Car Serviced?
Car Insurance
Comprehensive Car Insurance Third Party Car Insurance NSW CTP Green Slip Insurance Compare Car Insurance Assessment Centres Home Insurance Home InsuranceHome Insurance
Home & Contents Insurance Building Insurance Contents Insurance Compare Home Insurance Other Products Other ProductsOther Products
Travel Insurance Motorcycle Insurance Life Insurance Pet Insurance Roadside Assistance Existing Customers Existing CustomersExisting Customers
Policy Manager Make a Claim Policy Wording Explained Rewards Customer Assistance Fuel Discounts Make a Complaint National Contracted Repairers About Us About UsAbout Us
Awards Careers TV Ads Code of Practice Internationally InternationallyInternationally
Singapore South Africa
Chasing Cars Facebook - Budget Direct Youtube - Budget Direct For general enquiries and feedback, Contact Us or Make a Complaint
Insurance is arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd (ABN 61 003 617 909, AFSL 241 411, Registered Office: 13/9 Sherwood Rd, Toowong 4066) on behalf of the insurer, Auto & General Insurance Company Limited ABN 42 111 5 86 353.
Budget Direct offers Roadside Assistance which is arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Limited (ACN 003 617 909). Roadside Assistance Terms & Conditions.
^Online Discounts Terms & Conditions
- Discounts apply to the premium paid for a new Budget Direct Home & Contents, Home only, Contents only, Comprehensive, Third Party Property Only or Third Party Property, Fire & Theft Car Insurance policy, initiated online on or after 29 March 2017, and for a new Budget Direct Comprehensive, Third Party Property, Fire & Theft & Third Party Property only Motorcycle Insurance policy, initiated online on or after 4 June 2020 and for a new Pet Insurance policy, initiated online on or after 18 February 2021. This online discount does not apply to Roadside Assistance that is added to a Budget Direct Car Insurance policy.
- The new policy discount amount varies by product: 30% discount on combined Home & Contents Insurance (consisting of 15% discount for combining Home & Contents covers and 15% discount for policies initiated online),15% for Home only or Contents only policies, 15% discount on Comprehensive, Third Party Property Only and Third Party Property, Fire & Theft Car or Motorcycle Insurance and 15% discount on Pet Insurance.
- A 15% discount applies to the premium paid for a new Budget Direct Travel Insurance policy initiated and purchased online on or after 22 February 2023.
- Discounts do not apply to any renewal offer of insurance.
- Discounts only apply to the insurance portion of the premium. Discounts are applied before government charges, taxes, levies and fees, including instalment processing fees (as applicable). The full extent of discounts may therefore be impacted.
- We reserve the right to change the offer without notice.
‡ Standalone Roadside Assistance, 15% Online Discount Offer Terms & Conditions
- The 15% discount applies to the first year's membership fee paid for a new Budget Direct Standalone Roadside Assistance membership purchased online only, using the promotional code SOLVED15.
- This offer does not apply to Roadside Assistance that is added to Budget Direct Car Insurance Policy.
- Offer is valid from 1 July 2021 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
- The 15% online discount does not apply to any renewal offer of membership.
- We reserve the right to change the offer without notice.
- Report Insurance Fraud
- Website Terms of Use
- Staying Safe Online
- Privacy Policy
Tag » How To Get Unstuck From Mud
-
How To Get A Car Unstuck In Mud | Firestone Complete Auto Care
-
How To Get Car Out Of Mud – Follow These 7 Steps - Fix Auto USA
-
Car Stuck In Mud? Top 9 Things To Do [Ultimate 2021 Guide]
-
How To Get Your Car Unstuck From Any Situation - Auto Simple
-
How To Get A Car Unstuck From The Mud | Driving Seat
-
Car Stuck In Mud? How To Get Out (8 Simple Steps) - Off-Roading Pro
-
Car Stuck In Mud? How To Get Car Out Of Mud: Step By Step Guide
-
How Can I Get A Car Unstuck From Deep Mud? - Jerry
-
How To Free A Car Stuck In Mud | Step By Step Guide | RAC Drive
-
How To Get Your Car Unstuck From Mud With A Towel - YouTube
-
3 Redneck Ways To Get Unstuck When Wheeling Alone! - YouTube
-
How To Get A Truck Stuck In Mud Out - Allstate Insurance Company
-
Car Stuck In Mud? Here's What To Do | The AA
-
Is Your Car Stuck In Mud? Here's How To Free It