In situations where it just wants to go in the ruts, I find it's sometimes better to just let it ride in the ruts. Anytime you try to get out of the rut, you loose momentum. Now if the ruts are too deep, you will get stuck no matter what.

I don't have that much experience, but the only time I stay out of the ruts is when I know I won't end up in the ruts anyway. I could be doing it all wrong, but I haven't been pulled out yet which either means I do it right, or haven't been in deep shit yet.