In the UAE, you can have countless opportunities when it comes to adventurous and off-roading experiences. You can also camp in the desert and enjoy desert driving with like-minded people. However, getting your car bogged in the sand can be quite inconvenient and frustrating. In this guide, we have compiled some important tips that can help you get your vehicle unstuck out of the dune efficiently and safely.
Things To Do When Your Car Bogged In Sand
One of the best ways to get our car out of the sand dune is knowing what to do. So make sure you know all the tips and tricks to avoid any haphazard situation.
Keep Right Tools
Before you plan an adventurous ride make sure you have all the required tools you may need in case your car stuck in sand. The essential off-roading accessories you must have are:
- Shovel
- Traction Mats
- Tire Pressure Gauge
- Tow Straps
- Rope (14’ or longer)
You can buy all these and other automotive tools for sale in the UAE from dubizzle. Besides, auto accessories and parts in the UAE are also available here.
Lower The Tyre Pressure
It is important to set the off-road tyre pressure to fully enjoy the off-roading excursions. Many experts suggest lowering the tyre pressure as low as 15 or 16 PSI to boost the driving experience. However, if your vehicle got stuck in the sand dune, let the air out of the tyre. Flotation is the key to car driving on sand; hence, lowering the tyre pressure will help in expanding the surface area and provide more traction. If you have already lowered the tyre pressure before off-roading, try lowering the pressure until the tyre will come off the rim.
Back-Up Onto the Traction Mat
If deflating tyres doesn’t work for you, try using a traction mat to let your car get out from the sand. Traction mats provide a high fraction and stable surface to grab onto while your vehicle is sliding in the sand.
- Try to remove sand from the tyres as much as possible with the help of a shovel
- Once the sand is removed, place the traction mat under the tyres
- Start the vehicle and drive it up on the mat
- Drive slowly to get the vehicle unstuck
Wet Down the Sand
If the traction mat won’t help you, try wetting down the sand to get out of the trap. For that, keep spare gallons so that you don’t have to use the ones that you have kept for drinking purposes. The water makes the sand stick together and helps you to drive across easily.
Break Out the Shovel
If you are stuck in a deep sandpit, then it might take a little more effort to take out the bogged wheels. As we have mentioned earlier, a shovel is one of the most useful tools that can help you to get your vehicle unstuck.
- Take a shovel and dig in front of each tyre and remove the sand
- You need to build a hard-packed path extending at least a couple of feet in front of the tyre
- While clearing sand, keep in mind that the lesser sand means less resistance when you try to take out the car bogged in sand
Get a Tow
After doing all the efforts your four wheel drive car is still bogged in the sand, it is time to take someone else’s assistance. If you are exploring off-roading options near Abu Dhabi and have some other participants nearby then ask them if they can help you in this regard. Get a rope and a tow strap and attach their ends with both vehicles, then ask the rescuer to pull the vehicle out of the sand.
Other tips may include:
- Never spin the vehicle’s wheels if it is stuck.
- Shaking the car is an old tactic that can help
- Do not rotate tires at high speed. They can burst. Keep track of the car speedometer and don’t go over 50 km per hour. The broadcast also thanks.
- Turn the steering wheel from left to right to clear the area around the front wheels.
- Switch gears between first, second and reverse gear, but rotate the front wheels as little as possible.
- Release the accelerator pedal during gear shifts and press it lightly when shifting into gear.
Tips for Not Getting Your Car Stuck
But if your car gets stuck, take the first step and stay calm. Don’t insist on meaningless or reflex manoeuvres. When driving in mud or sand the wheels do not have good traction. It’s in situations like this that we get stuck in the car. See the tips below to increase your chances of not getting stuck in your car.
- Don’t accelerate quickly. In mud use low gear. In other words: the thicker the mud, the lower the gear should be.
- Keep the vehicle moving, otherwise, it will get bogged down.
- If you are going to drive your car in sand, it would be good to reduce the tire pressure slightly, especially if it is beach sand or dunes.
The main thing is to stay calm. Always travel equipped with emergency tools. If you already know the place, be careful. Bring friends or keep in mind your car’s limitations. Wait for the mud to dry from the rain before driving out of the safe place you are.
Emergency numbers to call if stuck in the desert:
- Dubai Police: 04 229 2222
- Abu Dhabi Police: 999
Now you know how to get car out of sand. Before you plan the adventurous off-roading trip here are some of the popular used cars for sale in the UAE for desert driving.
- Used Nissan Patrol in the UAE
- Second hand Mercedes G Class in the UAE
- Used Jeep Wrangler in the UAE
- Second hand Hummer in the UAE
Besides, buying an off-road motorcycle in the UAE is also a good option if you are planning a solo trip.
Stay tuned for more UAE’s leading auto blogs, if you find this guide helpful for you.
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