How to - get your car out of the sand

You and your mates have driven down to the coast for a BBQ on the beach. It's been fun, you're full of burger, a bit sunburnt and it's time to go home. But your friend's only gone and got the car stuck in sand.

Here are our top tips to get your car free from the sand, and to avoid this happening again.

Where to start

• Get digging - get the bucket and spades back out because the first thing to do when you notice your car is stick in the sand is to dig the tyres out. A shovel will work quicker, but if you don't have one use your hands. If you're driving forward to get out, dig out the front tyres. If you need to reverse, do the rear tyres.

• Add traction - take the floor mats out from the foot well and put them as far under the tyres as you can. Place then facing down so the rubber part of the mats touch the tyres.

• Give it some gas - start the engine, put the car in 2nd gear, point the wheels straight ahead and put your foot down. Exercise great care in using the accelerator, as sudden power will induce wheel spin and cause the vehicle to dig itself deeper into the sand. If you’re still having trouble, hit the accelerator a little bit harder and get your mates to push the car in the direction you want to go.

Before you set off

If you know you're going to be driving on sand, there are somethings you can do to make your live easier.

• Go for a 4-wheel drive vehicle if at all possible.

• Reduce the tyre pressure. This will increase the contact area, help improve traction and reduce the tendency to sink.

• Select a gear and remain in it. Gear changing in sand is a problem because drag at the wheels causes the vehicle to stop the moment the clutch is disengaged which in turn causes more problems in trying to restart in the sand.