Mud Driving

Off-road driving tips, skills & practices

- Andrew Middleton

The dark and slippery art of mud driving is a difficult subject to tackle, primarily because there are so many different types of mud. Sandy mud, black cotton soil, layered clay and waterlogged mud all have different characteristics and require a different approach, so this article will cover the basic techniques required for most instances, but can’t hope to cover every situation.

Look before you leap 

Mud must be approached with caution, just like any other challenging surface. It’s best to stop before entering a deep bog rather than ploughing into it without knowing its depth or length. Check to see how thick the mud is, how slippery or sticky it is, and make your judgement on the way forward based on that.

The obvious is not always the correct approach. For example, if muddy water covers a slippery road, driving straight through the deepest section of the water instead of trying to slip around the shallower edge may be the best option, as deeper water often hides a hard surface underneath.

When the wheels spin