What to Do When One Side of the Car's Tire Falls into a Ditch?
3 Answers
If you are driving a four-wheel-drive model, you can engage the low-range four-wheel-drive mode to free yourself. If it's a front-wheel-drive model, you will have to wait for a tow truck to rescue you. You can use a jack to lift the sunken side and place wooden boards or stones under the tire, then accelerate to climb out. Check the vehicle's control arms, steering knuckles, tires, and other components for damage on the spot. As long as the impact is not too severe, components like the control arms will not be damaged. If there is no issue, you can continue driving. If there is a problem, you will have to call your insurance company to arrange for a tow truck.
I once experienced a situation where one side of my car's tire fell into a ditch. It happened during a countryside trip when the left front wheel slipped into a shallow ditch by the roadside. I immediately stepped on the brake, pulled the handbrake, and stopped the car completely, ensuring the engine was off before carefully getting out to inspect. The ditch wasn't very deep, but the tire was stuck and couldn't move. I tried reversing and pushing the car manually, but neither worked. Later, I found the jack in the car, lifted the wheel, placed some wooden boards and stones underneath, and then slowly accelerated to drive out. It was a strenuous process, but I managed to resolve it. Afterward, I learned that careless handling could damage the suspension or chassis, so it's best to assess the ditch's depth and risks before attempting anything. If you can't handle it yourself, quickly call a tow truck or seek help from nearby acquaintances. Remember, safety first—never take risks. Always park on level ground to avoid such incidents.
When one side of the car's tire fell into a ditch, I also encountered this situation as a novice driver, and I was flustered at that time. The first reaction was to stop the car steadily, turn on the hazard warning lights, and confirm that there were no cars around before opening the door to get out. The ditch was quite shallow, so I wanted to try self-rescue. I asked a friend to gently push the car while I lightly stepped on the accelerator to reverse, but it failed. I took out the toolbox from the car, used a jack to lift the wheel, and found some thick books and wood to pad it. Then, I slowly turned the steering wheel to get it out. The whole process took half an hour, but I think it was worth it because I learned to stay calm in critical moments. If you are alone outside or the ditch is deep, don’t push yourself too hard. Just call for roadside assistance or ask passersby for help. Afterward, check the tires and chassis to avoid oil leaks or scratches, and don’t overlook these minor damages.
