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For plenty of four-wheel drivers, mud’s the real test of both you and your rig. It’s messy as anything, totally unpredictable, and can give you that brilliant feeling of conquering the slop or leave you hopelessly bogged and asking questions of yourself. The way mud affects your grip is all over the shop, making it properly challenging. You’ll need specific techniques and the right kit to get through safely. This guide covers everything you need to know about tackling the mud – from getting your rig ready and sorting your tyre pressures to packing recovery gear, handling ruts, and the dreaded clean-up afterwards. Whether you’re new to mud driving or want to sharpen up your technique, these tips will help you tackle muddy tracks with confidence while looking after your vehicle.
Should you drive in mud at all?
Before you lock the hubs and head straight for the nearest bog hole, have a think about whether you should be there in the first place. Mud driving’s tough on your fourby and can trash tracks, speed up erosion, and mess with the environment. Plenty of areas have seasonal closures to protect the land. Ignore them and you’re looking at fines and potentially losing access for all of us. When you can, avoid mud to save your vehicle from damage and expensive repairs plus driving through the stuff can lead to mechanical dramas and maintenance nightmares.
If there’s a bypass track, you’re probably better off swallowing your pride and using it. Mud holes and muddy conditions can be properly dangerous for both vehicles and the environment, so always use your head and make smart choices. If the road’s closed, turn around. Being responsible means knowing when to walk away from the challenge and understanding how your vehicle’s weight affects fragile terrain. For a deeper look at what mud does to your rig long-term, check out our Why Mud Sucks guide.
Types of mud in Australia
Track and road mud
You’ll find this on formed tracks after heavy rain. It might look shallow but can hide deep wheel ruts or rocks that’ll do your undercarriage no favours. It’s often slippery as anything, making it hard to keep control, especially when you’re following existing wheel tracks. You’ll need careful throttle control to keep your grip.
Outback and desert mud
Common in claypans and bulldust holes, this stuff sets like concrete underneath your rig. Outback tracks might also have deep mud and bog holes that’ll trap you when you least expect it, so have a good look before you give it a crack. If you do attempt it, be ready for some serious cleaning for both you and your fourby afterwards.
Black soil and clay
This stuff’s infamous in farming country – black soil and sticky clay will coat your tyres instantly and kill your traction dead. Even aggressive tyre tread clogs up quickly, so keeping your momentum’s critical. You’ll need to clear mud from your front tyres and keep those tread blocks open to get your grip back.
Salt pans
Highly corrosive and best avoided unless you absolutely have to. Salt water mud will speed up rust and can contaminate your wheel bearings and axle breathers. The abrasive nature of mud and salt will also wear out mechanical bits and your paint.
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Preparing your 4WD for mud driving
Tyre choice and pressures
Mud terrain tyres are built specifically for getting grip in bog holes and sticky clay. Highway terrain tyres, on the other hand, are designed mainly for sealed roads, focusing on fuel economy and comfort – they’re not much chop in mud compared to proper mud tyres or off-road tyres. Their open tread pattern kicks mud out better than all-terrains. Aggressive mud terrain tyres have specialised tread patterns that disperse mud and give you superior grip, making them essential for challenging recoveries and keeping tracks in good nick. Drop your tyre pressures to between 18 and 22 psi to increase your contact patch, helping tyres flex and grip, adjusting your tyre pressure is crucial for getting the best traction in muddy and sandy terrain. Lowering tyre pressures improves your grip in mud by creating a bigger contact area. Always carry a compressor to pump them back up once you’re clear of the mud. If you’re not sure which tyres are right for you, have a look at our Mud Terrain Tyres Buyers Guide and our Muddies vs All Terrains comparison for more detail.
Traction aids and drive modes
Get into low range before you hit the mud. This gives you better control at slower speeds. You’ll want to select low-range gears to make navigating through mud easier. If your vehicle’s got a terrain management system, you can select mud mode to optimise throttle response and traction control for better handling in challenging conditions.
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Lock your diff to cut down wheel spin. For maximum traction in muddy terrain, also engage your centre diff or centre diff lock (if fitted) and rear diff lock to make sure power’s distributed evenly and prevent wheel slip. Engaging locking differentials can boost your traction in muddy conditions by making sure all wheels rotate at the same speed. In modern 4WDs with traction control or terrain response, select the mud or mud and snow setting to optimise throttle mapping and braking behaviour.
Vehicle protection
A snorkel keeps water and mud out of your engine during deeper crossings. Extended diff and transmission breathers help prevent contaminated oils. Wheel arch liners and mud flaps can cut down stone and mud spray. Mud can also damage mechanical components like your radiator, alternator, and CV joints, so regular inspection and cleaning of these parts is essential. If you’ve got a suspension lift, the extra clearance will help you clear deeper ruts without grounding out. Increased ground clearance is especially handy for navigating deep mud and uneven terrain, reducing your risk of bottoming out.
Recovery gear
Never head into a mud pit without rated recovery points on your vehicle. Before you tackle muddy terrain, make sure you’ve got all the necessary recovery equipment, including traction boards and recovery tracks, to maximise your chances of a safe extraction.
At minimum, carry a snatch strap or kinetic rope, rated shackles, recovery boards, recovery tracks, a long-handled shovel for digging yourself out, tyre deflator, and air compressor. Always be ready with your snatch strap before you attempt a recovery, especially when you’re travelling in groups.
A winch with a solid anchor point can be the difference between driving out and spending the night camped in the mud. For particularly tricky recoveries, choose a solid anchor point and consider using advanced techniques like a double line pull to increase pulling power and safety.
For more detail on what to carry and why, check out our Recovery Gear Guide.
Safety and comms
Gloves protect your hands when you’re handling muddy recovery gear and a first aid kit should always be on board. Travel with a mate’s vehicle where you can, and carry UHF radios, an EPIRB or a satellite phone if you’re heading into remote areas. Coordinating recovery efforts and sharing equipment with other vehicles can make off-road adventures safer and more efficient.
Driving techniques for mud
Momentum over speed
Keep steady momentum to avoid getting bogged – it’s crucial to maintain momentum without excessive wheel speed. Spinning tyres just digs you deeper into soft ground, creating more resistance. Use gentle throttle control to keep moving forward.
Gear selection
In a manual, pick a gear that lets you maintain consistent revs without riding the clutch. Manual transmission vehicles give you better control over gear selection, which can help prevent losing traction in muddy conditions. In an auto, lock it into a lower gear to prevent gear hunting mid-crossing. This keeps your torque delivery smooth and predictable.
Steering and ruts
Follow existing wheel ruts when they’re the safest path, but watch your diff clearance. Gentle side-to-side steering can help your tyres find fresh grip. Turning your steering wheel back and forth can help your front wheels gain grip in muddy ruts and maintain steering control, improving your ability to navigate challenging terrain. If you start losing traction in mud, try a see-saw steering technique. Avoid sudden turns that risk bead unseating, especially at lower tyre pressures.
Approach and departure angles
Enter the mud straight to minimise your chance of slipping sideways into deeper sections. Before you proceed, assess whether the same track has consistent conditions, as mud, standing water, or debris can vary and present unexpected hazards. Testing mud depth and consistency with a stick can help you assess the risks before driving through it. Keep an eye on your approach angle and departure angle to avoid grounding your bumpers or towbar on entry and exit.
Uphill and downhill in mud
Uphill: build momentum before the slope, then maintain steady throttle. On a slippery climb, use your traction aids and keep your momentum to avoid getting stuck on steep, muddy surfaces.
Downhill: use low range first gear and engine braking to control your descent, applying the brake pedal gently only if needed. When you’re tackling a slippery hill or muddy descents, descend slowly and steadily to avoid sliding, and use careful braking techniques to maintain control.
Getting unstuck
Stop early
If you lose momentum, stop before you dig yourself in deeper. Spinning wheels will only bury your vehicle further.
Reverse out
Sometimes backing up a metre or two and trying a different line can get you moving again without needing recovery gear.
Clear the path
Use a shovel to remove built-up mud in front of your tyres, especially in bog holes where mud packs tightly against the tread. Using a shovel to remove mud around and under your vehicle is crucial during recovery.
Recovery boards
Place recovery boards under your tyres in the direction you want to travel. They give you immediate traction and can get you out of shallow bogs quickly. Wedge recovery tracks in front of your tyres to help gain traction when you’re stuck.
Snatch strap recovery
When you’re using a snatch strap, attach only to rated recovery points. Use a dampener to reduce recoil risk and communicate clearly with your recovery vehicle driver.
Winch recovery
Anchor your winch to a solid recovery point like a tree with a tree trunk protector. Keep your winch line clear of bystanders and inspect it for mud contamination before re-spooling.
After driving in mud
Cleaning your vehicle
High-pressure wash your undercarriage, wheel arches, and radiator. Mud left underneath your 4WD traps moisture, which will make it rust quicker than an old tinnie. Include under vehicle cleaning as part of your routine after any trip off-road. After driving through mud, thoroughly clean your vehicle to avoid long-term damage from abrasive mud. Don’t forget to clean your recovery gear and make sure you get anything that might be caught on the wrong side of your underbody protection.
Inspection and servicing
Check and clean your brakes, wheel bearings, seals, and suspension components. Replace any fluids contaminated by mud or water, especially in diffs and gearboxes.
Interior care
Remove and clean your floor mats. Dry carpets thoroughly to prevent mould. Wipe down surfaces to remove mud splatter brought in during entry and exit.
Environmental and safety considerations
Stick to designated tracks to avoid damaging surrounding vegetation. Avoid water crossings if you can’t see the bottom. Be mindful of erosion control and track maintenance by local authorities. Respect seasonal closures and as they say, always try and leave the track in better condition than you found it.
Key mud driving tips to remember
- Plan your route and know the conditions before you head out
- Lower tyre pressures for more grip
- Maintain steady momentum without spinning wheels
- Follow safe recovery procedures using rated gear
- Clean and service your 4WD after every mud run
- Drive responsibly to protect access for all 4WDers
FAQs
What PSI should I run in mud? Between 18 and 22 psi depending on tyre size, load, and conditions.
Do I need mud terrain tyres? Not always. All-terrains can handle light mud, but mud terrains excel in deep, sticky conditions.
How do I clean my 4WD after mud driving? Use a high-pressure wash focusing on the undercarriage, wheel arches, and cooling system, then dry thoroughly.
Related guides
Mud Terrain Tyres Buyers Guide | Muddies vs All Terrains | Why Mud Sucks | Recovery Gear Guide
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