What to Do if Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in the Desert

Driving in the desert is a liberating experience. Desert climates are harsh and hostile, perfect for exciting off-road adventures.

Whether you drive a vehicle with off-roading capabilities or not, there are situations where you may get stuck in the desert. Given its rough, powdery nature, sand is difficult to drive over. It’s easy for a vehicle’s tires to sink into a pit of sand with no obvious way to get them out.

So what exactly should you do if your car gets stuck in the sand?

What To Do If Your Car Gets Stuck in the Desert

If your vehicle gets stuck in the desert, don’t panic. Don’t leave your car either. If you want to get your car unstuck, you can try rocking your vehicle, deflating your tires and driving out, setting up traction aids, calling for help, or clearing a path.

Don’t Panic

It’s important to stay calm and rational if ever your vehicle gets stuck in the desert. Even if the prospect of getting stranded in the wilderness is terrifying, you’re never out of options. Take a deep breath, relax, and assess the situation carefully.

It’s a good idea to take note of what equipment you might have in your vehicle. Check your phone to see if you’re able to contact anyone. It’s also a good idea to take note of your surroundings to see if there’s anything important such as potential obstacles or things you can use to escape.

Don’t Leave Your Car

It’s not recommended to exit your vehicle or stray too far away from it if it gets stuck. Cars can provide you with shelter and safety from wildlife and the elements. It’d also do you no good to lose sight of your vehicle if ever you wander too far.

Rock Your Vehicle

If your vehicle gets stuck in the sand, one way to get it out is to rock it gently by shifting between forward and reverse gears. The rocking motion can help you wiggle free from deep sand. Building momentum loosens the grip of the sand on your tires.

Avoid putting too much strain on your vehicle since shifting gears too often can overexert both your engine and your transmission system.

Deflate Your Tires

Another reliable way to get your vehicle out of the sand is to deflate its tires. Though it’s not recommended to drive a vehicle with deflated tires for long, reducing the tire pressure means covering a larger surface area when you drive.

Take care not to deflate your tires too much, otherwise you might damage the tires or the rims of your vehicle. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for recommended ranges.

Set Up Traction Aids

You can use traction aids such as mats, carpets, and things you might find lying around the area like fallen wood to give you some extra traction. If you’re desperate, you can even remove the mats from inside your vehicle for additional grip. Just make sure that the traction aids you use don’t interfere with the rotation of the tires.

Call for Help

Contact a car recovery service or emergency services as soon as you can. This way, you can have your car pulled out of the desert and make your way back home without any further complications. Try to get your precise location to make it easier for recovery services to find you and reach you. Depending on the severity of your situation, they might also be able to bring the specialized equipment needed to pull your vehicle free.

Clear A Path

If you can, try to clear a path around your tires. This means removing any sand and debris that could be blocking your vehicle. Bear in mind that clearing a path might not work if you’re stuck in a pit of sand, but shoveling away anything obstructing your car could help tremendously. The bottom line is you need to give your vehicle as much traction as possible so it can pull itself free.

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Things To Pack in Your Car for Desert Excursions

On top of the must-have items you’ll need for off-road adventures, it’s important to pack all the tools and equipment necessary for desert driving. This includes survival essentials, supplies, emergency equipment, and general tools.

Here’s a list of items you might need in case your vehicle gets stuck in the sand:

Survival Essentials

• GPS Device – Gives you your exact coordinates to help others find you. You’ll need this if you want your vehicle to get pulled out of the desert by recovery services.
• Mobile Phone & Charger – A must-have for anyone planning an off-road drive. Your mobile phone has many useful functions including a flashlight, a map, a camera, and the ability to call people.
• First Aid Kit – For situations where you or one of your passengers gets injured and requires medical attention.
• Food and Water – The extreme weather conditions in the desert can tire you out quickly. It’s good to have emergency food and water in your vehicle.

Tools and Equipment

• Hi-Lift Jack – This can be used to lift your vehicle in case elevating it would help it get unstuck.
• Toolbox – Contains useful tools for repairs such as screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and more.
• Tire Repair Kit – If your tires get damaged, you’ll need this to mend them.
• Shovel – Handy in cases you need to clear a path around your vehicle to help you escape the sand.
• Air Compressor – Useful in case you need to reinflate a tire.

Extra Supplies

• Extra Fuel – Keep extra gallons of fuel handy in case you run out of gas during your drive.
• Engine Oil and Coolant – If you want to keep your engine running smoothly, it might be a good idea to top off engine oil and coolant as needed.
• Spare Tires – If one of your tires gets punctured, you’ll need a spare to keep your vehicle moving.

Emergency Tools

• Fire Extinguisher – You might need this if the engine catches fire.
• Roadside Emergency Kit – It’s a good idea to keep a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. This typically includes tools, pressure gauges, jumper cables, and other useful items.