What to Do If Your Car Is Stuck in Sand
August 18th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Driving on sand can be tricky. Imagine you are on your way to a well-planned beach trip. You arrived in a great mood, only to find yourself stuck in sand when driving on the beach. That can really turn your mood upside down. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to get your car unstuck from sand.
Car Stuck in Sand? Don’t Panic!
If you are driving on sand and find that your car won’t move forward or backward, try not to panic. Instead, take a deep breath and realize that the situation is temporary. You can then stay calm, cool, and collected as you take the necessary steps to get unstuck.
What To Do When Car Stuck in Sand?
Here are the steps on how to get car out of sand:
1. Let Go Of the Gas Paddle
Once you realize you are stuck in sand, do not floor the acceleration as that can spin your tires deeper into the sand. Instead, activate your parking brake to keep your vehicle in place, get out, and assess the situation.
2. Dig Out The Tires
Sand may be blocking your car’s tires, and as a result, prevents your vehicle from moving. In this instance, you can dig the sand out from around the tires. Ideally, you should clear at least a few feet of space in front of and behind the tires. Next, pack the sand down and create a path in front of the tires. If you have a shovel in your car, now is a good time to use it, even if it is a kid’s beach toy shovel!
3. Create Traction
For better results, you would want to provide a barrier between the tires and the sand. If you have traction mats, they will work great in this situation. Alternatively, you can also try to find items around or in your car that can substitute to create traction. These items can range from your car’s carpets or floor mats, cardboard, rocks, or wood logs. Tuck them underneath your tires as tightly as you can. At this point, your car can drive over the material, and you can safely move your vehicle out of sand.
4. Ask for Help
It may feel embarrassing to get stuck in sand, but other motorists are likely to empathize with you in your time of need and are willing to help you push your car. Be sure that no one is standing directly behind the tires as the objects you have put down for traction can loosen and fly out.
If you are equipped with a tow strap, you can ask for a vehicle nearby to help pull your car out. Otherwise, a tow strap is also something you can ask around for when looking for help.
5. Remain Patient
Sometimes your first attempt may get you unstuck right away. But it is important to note that it might take you multiple attempts with trial-and-error on what objects you have to create traction. The critical thing is to remain calm and stay the course.
If you have cell service, a towing service can be a quick option to get you back on the road.
The Bottom Line on What to Do When Car Get Stuck in Sand
The beach and driving on sand can be fun, but it can also go the other way. Thanks to the aforementioned tips, you now have several tips on how to get car out of sand!
In addition to these tips, you can pick up tires designed to perform well in sand. Drivers may benefit from all-terrain tires that are intended for use in tricky conditions like mud, snow, and sand.
Regular car inspections can help drivers minimize the risk of vehicle problems. By meeting with certified automotive technicians, drivers can get their cars evaluated and address any vehicle problems before they get out of hand.
At Fix Auto, we provide in-depth car exterior services to help drivers get their cars ready for any road condition. To learn more or to request a consultation, please contact us online or call us today at 800.INFO.FIX.
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Springfield, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing Eugene and the surrounding areas in Lane County.
