Off-road driving techniques

Apart from technique, fun, yet safe, off-roading relies a lot on proper preparation. It’s not enough to have the right vehicle to drive off the road, it is also essential that it has the necessary equipment as well, like winches, skid plates, sump guards, et al. But even with the best preparation, a ham-fisted approach will usually end in disaster. Driving on terrain without roads at times needs a delicate touch and a steady manner of driving is the best way to go about when on the rough stuff.

Rock n' Rolla

A common problem one faces when driving on soft surfaces like sand is digging-in the car’s wheels. If that happens, don’t try and power your way out of it. That will only dig you in further and make it worse. Gently try moving ahead and as soon as the car starts to bog down, shift to reverse and gently start moving backwards. Once it starts bogging down again, shift to first and gently start moving forward. Keep rocking the car back and forth this way until it climbs out of the sand.

Through hell and high water

Done right, fording a stream with an SUV can be a lot of fun. But before you start off, it is essential to know how the surface is under the water. It’s best to wade into the stream on foot to find the safest path across. Make sure the water isn’t deep enough to drown the engine’s air intake though. Enter the stream at a steady speed and maintain it, keeping eyes fixed on the exact path you want to follow. Don’t let off the throttle otherwise the car might suck in water through the exhaust.

Ups and downs

To go uphill on a loose surface, get a decent run-up before the hill to build up some speed (not too fast) and maintain a steady throttle and speed up the hill. Choose 4WD-High (4H) or 4WD-Low (4L) depending on the steepness of the slope. If it is too steep and you have enough room, approach the climb at a diagonal angle to the hill face. For going down steep hills, put the car in 4WL, shift to 2nd gear or 3rd gear and start rolling downhill, just giving occassional gentle brake inputs to keep from building up too much speed.

Between a rock and a hard place

When driving on a rocky surface, steadiness becomes even more critical. If your car has a diff-lock, engage it and keep your speed to a crawling pace. Judge your car’s ground clearance properly. Don’t try to pass large rock outcrops between the wheels - it’s easy to prop your car up against them and get stuck badly. Try and ensure that at least three of your tyres are making contact with a solid surface. Don’t fight the steering wheel - let the front wheels have some freedom to track around on their own and you should do fine.