4WD vehicles where made to concur terrain that your Mum’s 2WD vehicle would simply not be able to handle.

Australia features many different areas for recreational 4W-driving, as well as areas that one wouldn’t be able to navigate without a 4WD on a normal daily basis.

Just because you own a 4WD vehicle however, does not mean you are automatically safe when it comes to treacherous terrain. You have to know how to drive it safely.
Driving one of these vehicles demands a certain level of understanding about the way the transmission works, as well as the effects that the elements one encounters along the track, may have on one’s journey.

If you own a 4WD, make sure you understand and practice the following skills before taking yourself off the beaten track.

Outback
One of the most challenging things about navigating the Australian Outback is bulldust. The first reaction is often to treat bulldust as if it where sand, but this can be a deadly mistake. Avoid deflating your tyres at all cost, because underneath those powder-fine stretches lies concealed an incredibly hard base, just waiting to bash the chassis upon impact, possibly splitting the sidewall of your partially deflated tyre. Instead, choose high range and stick with a consistent speed of 60-80k, correcting any sideways slews with both the steering wheel and more throttle.

Rock Climbing
The main point of advice here is to try and keep your tyres pointed to the high ground at all times. This will help you to avoid beaching, or “high centring” yourself. Even more important than power is torque when it comes to taking on the rocky slopes, so make sure you are in first or second gear to ensure safe passage of your vehicle over any obstacles. Minimal throttle openings will help prevent your tyres from slipping. When it is possible, it is recommended to stay with road tyre pressures, try only to drop them when your vehicle has become stuck and nothing else has worked. Yes, lower tyre pressures may increase the tyre footprint, but they also maximise the danger of pinching a tyre in a slight crevice, or tearing the sidewall on something such as a tree stake.

Mud Plugging
The most common thing one will come across in mud plugging is a boghole on a bush track; most usually furrowed with large wheel ruts and axle-deep pits. If possible,  place the tyres on the highest ground to attempt to avoid dragging the diffs through the mud. However if you slip off, keep the accelerator down and begin to move the steering wheel from side to side, making sure the side lugs of the tyres are able to gain footing on the side face of the ruts. Make sure to keep an eye out for a build up of mud on the guards. Clogged guards have the potential to eliminate the tread pattern on your tyres, so make sure to keep them clean with a shovel when necessary. Effectively getting through the mud takes momentum, so as a rule of thumb, high range and a constant throttle are best.

On the Beach
When you can, keep it in a high range to maintain speed, however if you get bogged down move it into a low range and try again. This is an area that depends heavily on individual conditions. Coarse and hard-packed sand can be like riding down the highway, where other beaches will have soft windblown sand that do nothing for your traction. These sorts of sands require constant momentum at full throttle, with partially deflated tyres. The minimum pressure should be around 102-110 kPa. Letting the pressure out of the tyre will “bag” it, creating increased flotation through a wider footprint. However make sure to fill your tyres up again as soon as you’re off the beach, and try not to exceed speeds of 80km/h on your way to the service station.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }