{"id":8105,"date":"2020-06-16T16:28:03","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T20:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.greatflorida.com\/?p=8105"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:54:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T21:54:38","slug":"what-to-do-if-your-car-is-stuck-in-sand-mud-or-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/2020\/what-to-do-if-your-car-is-stuck-in-sand-mud-or-water\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do if your car is stuck in sand, mud or water"},"content":{"rendered":"

Getting stuck in the sand, mud or water is at some point inevitable for most drivers. Beaches and the occasional flash flood in Florida make it easy to get your car stuck.<\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on your auto insurance<\/a> policy, a tow truck could save the day,\u201d says Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, without car insurance<\/a>, a tow truck can be expensive and cost serious time. You can phone a friend with a tow strap or chains, but their vehicle must be powerful enough to pull you out of the elements. With clever know how you can get yourself unstuck and back on the road quickly.<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/blog.firestonecompleteautocare.com\/driving\/how-to-get-car-unstuck-in-mud\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Sand & Mud<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your wheels are slipping and you are not going anywhere, you are stuck. Do not continue to press the gas. Spinning your tires will dig a hole sinking further into the sand or mud.<\/p>\n

Firestone<\/a> recommends a simple solution, use a car mat. A car mat will increase traction under your tire, allowing your car to pull forward over the mud or sand. Other items that work as well include, sticks, cardboard, a blanket, pieces of carpet or a truck liner.<\/p>\n

Follow these steps:<\/p>\n

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  1. Place your car into park.<\/li>\n
  2. Dig dirt or sand away from the front of each tire stuck.<\/li>\n
  3. Take your car mat and place the tip of the mat under the stuck tire, with the rest of the mat in front of the tire.<\/li>\n
  4. Get back into the car and drive slowly forward until you reach solid ground. Don\u2019t forget to pick up your floor mat!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Water<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cNever attempt to cross a flooded road,\u201d says Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>, Florida\u2019s largest independent auto insurance<\/a> agency. Water can conceal dips, holes and depth.<\/p>\n

    Floodwaters can damage roadways washing away the entire road surface and a significant amount of ground. A mere 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control or possible stalling. AccuWeather<\/a> reports, one foot of water will float many vehicles and two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUV\u2019s and pick-up trucks.<\/p>\n