Don’t Be Such a “Stuck in the Mud”

Off road adventures are an absolute blast, and Honda’s line up of vehicles includes several options for your travels, but thrill seeking can be brought to a quick end if a seemingly solid dirt road suddenly turns to an inescapable mud pit of yuck and despair.

It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a Ridgeline, CR-V, Passport, HR-V, or some other vehicle; if you get stuck in deep enough mud, you need to have a plan for getting yourself back on the road or trail.

The Roper team unfortunately can’t follow all of you around to winch you out of trouble, so we’ve compiled some advice to help you get a vehicle unstuck from the mud.  

How to Get Your Vehicle Out of the Mud

We’ve found the easiest way to get out of the mud (other than lucking out, only traveling on days with no rain, and never seeing mud in the first place) is to call a friend whose SUV or truck either has a winch attached or is carrying a set of tow straps. If you’re off roading with a group of folks you might be able to just yell down the row of vehicles and find your rescuer.

Proper use any of the aforementioned rescue tools should have you out of the muck and safely on your way in no time. Just make sure you find proper attachment points and follow the instructions that came with your winch or tow ropes. You don’t want to be one of those videos on the internet where a vehicle stuck in the mud loses its bumper, do you?

How You can Get Out of the Mud Without a Winch

What if you’re traveling alone to a camp or fishing site and you get stuck in the mud? Are you doomed to a long walk back to civilization to find a tow vehicle, or are there other methods of escape?

You’re in luck, as there are several things to try before you abandon your vehicle and search out a bulldozer, decommissioned military tank, super hero, or lifted pickup truck to rescue your Honda. Here’s a list of things to try as you attempt to get your vehicle out of the mud by yourself:

• Rock and Roll – this process involves pointing your wheels straight ahead, gently rocking your stuck vehicle forward, switching into reverse and rocking backward, and then repeating until you become unstuck. You must be careful with this approach as you can damage the drivetrain of your vehicle if you get overzealous. It’s also unlikely to work if you don’t have a bit of traction to work with. Be sure to accelerate gently so you don’t dig yourself in worse.
• Twist and Shout – you can also gently work your steering wheel from left to right in the hope of securing purchase. Don’t go crazy spinning your steering wheel around, and be sure to keep gentle and steady pressure on your accelerator.
• Add Your Own Traction – this approach involves giving your vehicle’s tires something to grab. You can try nearby logs, branches, rocks, or gravel if you don’t have any equipment of your own. There are also commercial solutions including the option of using your heavy duty floor mats, forcing layers of cardboard under the tires, or wedging 2x10” pieces of wood or traction boards under your vehicle. Another common approach is to apply kitty litter, which can work surprisingly well in the right circumstances.
• Dig It – some off road enthusiasts get down and dirty when they get stuck in the mud, and employ a rescue shovel to remove some of the mud from their equation before they attempt to add the traction-increasing ideas just above. There are fancy folding offroad rescue shovels available which stow nicely, but a standard lawn and garden shovel will work just as well. Make sure you’re nice and warmed up before you go herking and jerking your body around.
• Move The Weight – if you’re traveling with a group of adventure seekers, you can experiment with moving them around your stuck vehicle to distribute weight differently in your search for traction. You could fit more people into your front seats if the front wheels are stuck, or have everyone get out of the vehicle if it won’t move with the weight of 4 (or 6) other passengers inside.
• Air It Out – If your Honda off road vehicle is carrying a portable air compressor you can let a small amount of pressure out of your tires in the quest for traction. Don’t let out more than a few PSI of air, as you don’t want to overstress the sidewalls of your tries, and be absolutely sure to inflate all tires back to manufacturer’s specifications before driving away from your muddy entrapment. (You may want to invest in a portable air compressor / tire inflator even if your Honda vehicle will never see a dirt road.)

How to Avoid Getting Stuck in the Mud

Outdoor adventures occasionally (sometimes intentionally) end in a mud bath, but there are ways to avoid getting bogged down while you’re having your fun.

1. Check the forecast for rain and avoid muddy pathways if there has been rain recently or rain is expected while you’re on the path
2. Ensure your tires have proper tread and are properly inflated.
3. Have a separate set of wheels equipped with aggressive off road tires for your serious outdoor adventures. They’re an extra expense, but can minimize the odds of getting bogged down.
4. Drive slowly and consider having someone walk ahead of you in questionable areas. 4WD, AWD, and 4x4 systems add amazing off road capabilities, but they’re in no way a guarantee that you never get stuck. Don’t be crazily overconfident! If you’re uncertain of the level of traction, you can have a passenger walk ahead and to the left of your Honda as you drive slowly forward. Be safe with this approach and make sure your spotter is well away from your vehicle.

When to Call for Help with a Vehicle Stuck in the Mud

If you’re stuck in the mud and none of the techniques suggested above are helping, it is likely best to accept your lot in life and go seek the help of a professional (or an enthusiast with the winch or tow straps we mentioned above.) Don’t risk drivetrain damage, possibly injuring a well-intentioned helper, damaging an axle, or a litany of other things that could go wrong from overzealous attempts to get out of mud.

A professional tow out of a nasty mud situation can be expensive, but is often the best solution to being a “Stuck in the Mud.”

Finding Your Perfect New Honda Vehicle Near Joplin, MO

Many of Honda’s incredible line of dependable and capable vehicles are as comfortable on the streets of Joplin as they are in places where getting stuck in the mud is a distinct possibility. The team at Roper Honda is happy to demonstrate the entire Honda vehicle line up and help decide which Honda SUV, Crossover, or truck is best suited for your off road adventures.

The Roper sales team will be happy to show you Honda’s SUVs at our Honda dealership in Joplin, so let us know which Honda vehicle catches your eyes and we’ll schedule a demonstration at your convenience.

You can reach us at (877) 747-0738 or visit our Honda showroom at 902 North Rangeline Road in Joplin, Missouri 64801.

(Your Civic, Odyssey, or Accord should probably never see anything more serious than a gravel driveway when it comes to off roading.)