Getting out of sticky situations

Whether you're driving through a patch of mud, off-roading on the beach, or just trying to get home in some serious snow, there's only so much your vehicle can handle before it gets stuck, wedged-in, buried or jammed.

But there can be hope in even the stickiest situations, although you'll find there's nothing sticky about snow, sand or mud when you're hopelessly revving your engine. So here are a few helpful tips that are sure to get your vehicle out, up, and running again, without resorting to towing, which can be very expensive and time-consuming.

So you're stuck...

First of all, get out of the vehicle to assess the problem. If you have passengers, ask them to get out of the vehicle to reduce the weight and to help guide you through the process. Try using a shovel to take down any mounds of snow or soil in front of the affected tires or undercarriage. Then, keep your wheels straight and switch to 4WD low-range if it's available on your vehicle. Gently accelerate forward, then do the same in reverse. The key when accelerating is to keep a light touch
on the gas pedal at all times to maximize traction and avoid spinning your tires. ...Still stuck

You can also get passengers or friendly passers-by to push the front or the back of the vehicle. As they push, put your vehicle in reverse and lightly touch the gas pedal. Then, quickly shift gears and have your helpers stand back while you accelerate forward. Repeat the process until momentum is built, at which point you should be able to steer out of the ditch.

Get a grip

A word on traction. To best get out of sand, snow or mud, it's important to understand what's going on underneath your wheels. Paved roads are designed to provide the greatest amount of traction for your tires, but the more snow, sand or mud there is on the road, the less traction there will be when you're driving.

Traction, moreover, doesn't always depend on the speed of your tires. In fact, in most situations, spinning your wheels can reduce traction even further. For example, if you can't get out of a parking spot after it has recently snowed, spinning your wheels may actually pack the snow under your tires and create a smoother surface - sometimes even creating ice.

Thus, barely moving your wheels and only lightly touching the gas pedal creates a slower movement that won't lead to slipping. Deflating your tires increases their surface areas and thus provides more traction. Of course, once you're out, remember to re-inflate your tires before driving off.

Because traction is such an essential part of driving successfully, many people keep a few items in their trunks that are likely to help. A small shovel; a couple pieces of wood; traction mats; rock salt, sand or cat-box litter - the latter being more convenient as it does not corrode metal.

And you're off

When you finally get your vehicle out of the snow, sand or mud, find a safe place to park and check it over to see if there's been any damage to the front, back or undercarriage. Then, breathe easier knowing that the next time it happens, you'll be better prepared.

Still can't get out? Call Roadside Assistance at 1-800-268-6800.