Living in Upstate NY can be a bit of a pain in the butt. Especially when those temperatures start to change drastically or without a warning. One of the worst weather conditions we face here in Upstate has to be the rain. You’re probably wondering why I am hating on the rain. And, well I am not but rain makes mud and mud gets you stuck. Who wants that? No one, that’s who. But in these crazy ever-changing weather conditions, sometimes our vehicles do end up getting stuck in the mud. This week, we are here to tell you to relax, take a deep breath, and let us share with you our top tricks to getting your vehicle unstuck from this muddy situation. So, keep calm and read on!

• If you feel your vehicle beginning to sink or get stuck – don’t stop. Continue a constant pressure on the gas pedal. Hopefully, this will be the only thing you need to do to get out of the mud. You’ll want to avoid bringing your vehicle to a complete stop, your vehicle will be stuck and you’ll have to take other extensive measures to get out. Sorry, Charlie!
• Rock it back and forth – literally. Once you’re stuck, you’re stuck and it’s time to do some maneuvering. While gently pressing on your gas pedal, shift between drive and reverse. This will begin to create a rocking motion and may free your vehicle. If you’re not free after a few times, move on.
• Adding traction increases your chances of getting unstuck greatly. Whether you are willing to use your floor mats, blankets, extra clothing you have in your vehicle or random items like leaves, sticks or rocks – traction is the reason you’re stuck and you need to regain that traction to get out of the mud. Place your items in front of your tires and slowly accelerate. If you have a few passengers, asking them to push might be a good idea!
• Dig it out! If you keep a small shovel in your vehicle, you’re a genius. If not, you’re probably part of the majority. Regardless, you want to try to dig out the mud from around your tires and try to create a clean, clear path back to solid ground. Once your path is clear, hop in and gently accelerate. If this doesn’t seem to work, it might be time to phone a friend!

If you’ve passed through these tricks and your vehicle is still stuck, it is most definitely time to call for assistance whether it is a friend with a pickup truck or a towing service. If you have roadside assistance, give them a call and let them do the work for you. Either way, it’s important to be safe and seek help when you need it most or when you’re losing sunlight. Be smart & stay safe out there friends!