Simple ways to decide if you can get across the mud:
- When there’s heavy mud on the road or if you’re driving off-road, stop your vehicle and inspect the hardness and depth of the mud before driving through it.
- Observe tire tracks of other vehicles to gauge the depth and consistency of the mud.
- Determine the type of vehicles that have left the tracks from the sizes and widths of the track. Use that information as a reference to decide if you can get across.
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FAQ
Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
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Before entering mud, stop and assess: check tyre tracks from other vehicles to gauge depth and consistency—tyre track size tells you what size vehicles have passed safely
Maintain steady momentum: in mud, stopping mid-way often means getting stuck. Steady speed is more effective than stopping and starting.
Use low-range 4WD if your vehicle has it, and choose the right gear—lower gears provide more torque for moving through resistance
Steer gently: abrupt steering inputs in mud can dig the wheels in rather than finding traction
If you get stuck: don't spin the wheels excessively—this digs the vehicle in deeper. Try rocking gently between forward and reverse, or use a recovery board or traction mat.
All-terrain (AT) tires or mud-terrain (MT) tires are designed for off-road and muddy conditions. MT tires have large, widely-spaced tread blocks that self-clean (mud is expelled as the tire rotates) and bite into soft ground. The tradeoff is more road noise, reduced fuel economy, and a firmer ride on pavement. For drivers who occasionally use unpaved or muddy roads but mostly drive on pavement, all-terrain tires offer a practical balance. For dedicated off-road use, mud-terrain tires are the right tool.
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