Merzouga Mechanic

What to Do If Your Car Gets Stuck in Sand

Soft sand catches everyone eventually — even experienced drivers. The worst thing you can do is keep pressing the accelerator.

Stop spinning the wheels

Spinning digs the tires deeper and can overheat the clutch or transmission. Take your foot off the pedal as soon as the car stops moving forward.

What you can try

  • Clear sand from in front of all four wheels and from under the car's belly.
  • If you know how, lower tire pressure to around 1.2–1.5 bar for traction (re-inflate before driving fast on asphalt).
  • Use floor mats or branches under the driving wheels.
  • Reverse gently along your own tracks — the sand there is already packed.

When to stop and call

If the car is resting on its chassis, if the sand is very soft, or if it's hot and you're getting tired — stop. Send us your location and a photo of the car and wheels. We'll advise or come with recovery equipment where access allows.

Stay safe

Keep water, a hat and a charged phone. In summer, don't attempt long digging in the midday heat.

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