What To Do If You Get Stuck
-
Mukhallalati Basha
- Advance
- Posts: 0
- Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2010 2:11 am
- Been thanked: 1 time
Sooner or later, your vehicle is likely to get stuck or experience mechanical failure. If you pack the basic tools and supplies, you should be able to get under way again. Here's what to do if you stall, get stuck, or break down.
If you stall
If your vehicle is about to stall on steep incline or decline, DO NOT depress the clutch! This could cause the vehicle to "free wheel" and you could loose control very quickly. Instead, first turn off the ignition and apply the food brake very hard. Then apply the parking brake. After selecting a suitable route back down the hill, slowly depress the clutch, put it in reverse, let the clutch out, and simultaneously release the parking brake and the foot brake slowly. Then start the engine. With an automatic transmission, never shift the gear lever to Park, as this may lock the transmission and you may not be able to release it without the aid of a winch.
If you get stuck
If you get stuck on a rock, stump or log, survey the situation first to determine the best way to free the vehicle without damaging it. If you're stuck on an object that can be moved, jack up the vehicle and clear away the obstacle. If you're stuck on an object that can't be moved, jack up the vehicle and fill under the tires so that you can drive over the obstacle.
Try letting some of the air out of your tires (to about 10psi) just remember to air them up again as soon as you can. (Remember that lowering tire pressure also reduces the vehicle's overall height and therefore the vehicle's ground clearance.) Lock the differential locks (if fitted), and use as high a gear as possible. After shoveling away the mud, dirt, sand or snow that is blocking your tires, clear a path in the direction you'll be traveling, so the tires can get enough traction. Carpet strips, wood, floor mats, brush, rocks, clothing or sleeping bags can be placed as traction aids under the tires in the direction of travel.
If you still can't get out, jack up the vehicle and fill the area under the tires with sand, rocks, logs, brush, packed snow or any combination of these. If the jack sinks into the ground, use piece of wood as a base. (Never crawl under a vehicle that is supported by a jack!)
Snow chains are not only a benefit in snow and ice, but can work wonders in mud as well. Typically, you'll fit them on the rear wheels, especially if you're climbing up a hill or towing. Sometimes it may be necessary to fit them to the front or to all four wheels.
The best way to get unstuck is with a winch. A winch takes the hard work out of vehicle recovery. It also allows a lone vehicle a means of freeing itself. Another vehicle can be used as an anchor, but natural anchors, such as trees, stumps and rocks, are the handiest. When no natural anchors are available, a spare tire, log or any other similar object that can be partially buried can form an anchor. It may be wise to use several items and group them as a single anchor. Never winch with fewer than five turns of cable around the winch drum. With fewer turns, the cable may break loose from the drum under heavy load.
If you can't drive out safely
It's important that you stay with your vehicle, and find a way to make yourself visible to others.
Keep calm-don't panic and don't waste time and effort wondering "what if?" ("If only I hadn't done that!").
Spend your time constructively. Think through all your options. Take stock of your supplies and situation.
If help doesn't come in a reasonable amount of time, and you choose to hike out, avoid walking during the hottest times of the day. Walking in the morning and evening is best.
If you must leave your vehicle, leave a note telling the direction of your travel, your destination, and the date and time you left.
Seek shelter from the elements, but try to make yourself visible (with smoke or a signal fire, or a brightly colored tarp).
If you stall
If your vehicle is about to stall on steep incline or decline, DO NOT depress the clutch! This could cause the vehicle to "free wheel" and you could loose control very quickly. Instead, first turn off the ignition and apply the food brake very hard. Then apply the parking brake. After selecting a suitable route back down the hill, slowly depress the clutch, put it in reverse, let the clutch out, and simultaneously release the parking brake and the foot brake slowly. Then start the engine. With an automatic transmission, never shift the gear lever to Park, as this may lock the transmission and you may not be able to release it without the aid of a winch.
If you get stuck
If you get stuck on a rock, stump or log, survey the situation first to determine the best way to free the vehicle without damaging it. If you're stuck on an object that can be moved, jack up the vehicle and clear away the obstacle. If you're stuck on an object that can't be moved, jack up the vehicle and fill under the tires so that you can drive over the obstacle.
Try letting some of the air out of your tires (to about 10psi) just remember to air them up again as soon as you can. (Remember that lowering tire pressure also reduces the vehicle's overall height and therefore the vehicle's ground clearance.) Lock the differential locks (if fitted), and use as high a gear as possible. After shoveling away the mud, dirt, sand or snow that is blocking your tires, clear a path in the direction you'll be traveling, so the tires can get enough traction. Carpet strips, wood, floor mats, brush, rocks, clothing or sleeping bags can be placed as traction aids under the tires in the direction of travel.
If you still can't get out, jack up the vehicle and fill the area under the tires with sand, rocks, logs, brush, packed snow or any combination of these. If the jack sinks into the ground, use piece of wood as a base. (Never crawl under a vehicle that is supported by a jack!)
Snow chains are not only a benefit in snow and ice, but can work wonders in mud as well. Typically, you'll fit them on the rear wheels, especially if you're climbing up a hill or towing. Sometimes it may be necessary to fit them to the front or to all four wheels.
The best way to get unstuck is with a winch. A winch takes the hard work out of vehicle recovery. It also allows a lone vehicle a means of freeing itself. Another vehicle can be used as an anchor, but natural anchors, such as trees, stumps and rocks, are the handiest. When no natural anchors are available, a spare tire, log or any other similar object that can be partially buried can form an anchor. It may be wise to use several items and group them as a single anchor. Never winch with fewer than five turns of cable around the winch drum. With fewer turns, the cable may break loose from the drum under heavy load.
If you can't drive out safely
It's important that you stay with your vehicle, and find a way to make yourself visible to others.
Keep calm-don't panic and don't waste time and effort wondering "what if?" ("If only I hadn't done that!").
Spend your time constructively. Think through all your options. Take stock of your supplies and situation.
If help doesn't come in a reasonable amount of time, and you choose to hike out, avoid walking during the hottest times of the day. Walking in the morning and evening is best.
If you must leave your vehicle, leave a note telling the direction of your travel, your destination, and the date and time you left.
Seek shelter from the elements, but try to make yourself visible (with smoke or a signal fire, or a brightly colored tarp).
