Even miles from anywhere, there are traffic rules, but they are mostly designed for your protection. Follow these guidelines/suggestions and you will enjoy a safe trip.
- As on the street, keep to the right to avoid oncoming traffic, if there is only room for one vehicle to pass, the more experienced driver should always yield.
- When two meet on an incline and there is no safe place to stop, the ascending vehicle has the right of way.
- When driving off-road, you should become familiar with how to maneuver your vehicle in different conditions and get out of trouble.
- Off-road driving is a game of finesse, your goal should be to have minimal impact on the terrain while still getting away unscathed.
- Keep the driver’s side of the vehicle close to obstacles when driving through tight spots. But don’t forget about the rest, keep an eye on that too.
- Heavily worn tracks often become deeply rutted to the point where it is impossible to drive without the undercarriage binding. Try to drive with one wheel on the center hump or, if there is enough room to one side, drive with one wheel on the hump and the other on the opposite side of one of the ruts.
- When driving through deep mud, snow, or sand, slightly deflate the tires to increase the tire footprint, which will provide better traction. but remember to re-inflate them before you hit the road again, flat tires mean less ground clearance. Use a steady momentum to carry you through. Maintain your speed and use higher gears. Don’t spin your tires and don’t stop until you’re done; however, if the tires begin to spin, take your foot off the pedal slightly to allow the tires to slow down and regain traction.
- If you lose traction and your vehicle barely moves, turn the steering wheel from side to side quickly to allow the tire walls to find grip.
- If muddy conditions force you to drive over potholes, always know which way your wheels are pointing, because your vehicle will follow potholes even with the wheels turned left or right.
- Remember that crossing packed snow early in the morning can be more than difficult when it’s soft in the afternoon.
- When approaching obstacles, that is. a ditch, it’s always best to do it at an angle so that only one tire is there and the other three are on solid ground, they provide the traction to get across. If you try to take it head on, the shaft could become useless.
- Before driving over rocks or large boulders, consider whether you need to build a ramp in front and behind, remember that the underside of your vehicle has many fragile components; instead of going straight to the center.
What to do if it stalls or breaks down.
- If your vehicle is about to stop on a steep incline or decline, DO NOT push in the clutch, this can cause it to “free roll” and you could lose control. Instead, turn off the ignition and apply the footbrake VERY hard, then apply the parking brake. After deciding your downhill route, slowly push in the clutch, put it in reverse, release the clutch while slowly releasing the parking and foot brakes. Then start the engine. With an automatic transmission NEVER shift the gear lever into Park, this can lock up your transmission.
- If you get stuck on a log, stump, or rock that can be moved, jack up your vehicle and move the object, if it cannot be moved, jack up the vehicle and fill under the tires so you can drive over it.
- If you get stuck in the sand. snow, dirt, or mud, let some air out of the tires, remove anything that might get in your way, and put on anything that will give the tires traction, even sleeping bags, if that doesn’t work, right? do you have a winch? Try it, but if you still don’t succeed, DON’T PANIC, stay calm.
You can always contact help on the trusty CV radio you remembered installing before you left. Call for help and stay with your vehicle. Wear something flashy, like a beanie or sweater, so you can be easily seen. Never walk in the hottest part of the day, it is best to walk in the morning and at night, and if necessary light a fire to help make yourself visible. Don’t worry, you’ll get over it. These are the joys of motorsport!
