For every adventurous soul, driving off-road is like living a fantasy. If you are a driving enthusiast, you must relate to this. However, driving off-road is not a joke with your ordinary SUV. It needs a specialized car and features to put your car on off-track. The scenic route is always the most thrilling when adventure calls, but it also comes with the most difficulties. While off-road driving enables you to pleasure every part of the adventure, highways offer a speedy and simple route to your goal. As they say, “The journey is more important than the destination.”
Off-road driving is a pleasure that provides stress release and a sense of success for those who are adventurous. But it might be intimidating for people who are unfamiliar with this adventure. Being mindful and well-prepared is essential for a positive and effective experience. With more than 30 years of expertise at Ford Motor Company, Ford Australia’s Richard Woolley offers priceless advice on off-roading with your 4×4 Ford Everest. Let’s have a look at what he says about it.
Get Ready: Set Yourself Up for Adventure the first step is to get ready and prepare your car for the adventure. Everything else comes afterwards. Making ensuring you and your car are ready for an off-road trip is crucial before you take off. Possessing the appropriate equipment can significantly improve your experience and avoid possible issues. Your car must be in top shape before going off-road. To guarantee that every system in your Japanese cars for sale is operating as intended, routine maintenance inspections are necessary.
- Make sure the fluid levels are topped off and look for any leaks. The engine maintenance and transmission functionality are a must to check.
- Check for sufficient tread depth and correct inflation. Use off-road tyres for your Toyota Hilux from Japan made for rugged terrain if possible.
- Make sure the system is strong enough to withstand the shocks and vibrations that come with off-road driving.
- Outfit your car with the necessities for off-road exploration that include supplies like traction boards, a shovel, and tow straps in your recovery kit. If your car gets immobile, these tools can help you get out of a sticky situation.
- Make sure you have the instruments and a spare tire on hand in case you need to change it.
- Always carry a GPS unit or a map. With features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in maps, modern systems like Ford’s SYNC 3 make it easy to charge your phone, play music, and navigate. Keep a first aid kit, extra food, and water on hand.
- Avoid going off-road by yourself, especially if it is your first time. When you travel with others, you can be confident that assistance will be accessible in case of need. Before you go, let your loved ones know your route so that, in the event of an emergency, someone will know where you are.
Hill Climb: Planning Your Ascent in a Hilly Area
Off-road vehicle hill climbing needs meticulous preparation and execution. Hills can require different techniques depending on their surface qualities and degree of steepness.
- Get out of your car and look around for any obstructions that can cause your wheels to slip before attempting to climb. These could include rocks, mud, or other objects.
- Turn on the 4×4 Low, this aids in preserving the best torque and rpm for a slow ascent. It offers improved power distribution and control.
- Use the Hill Launch Assist function to give yourself more time to reevaluate the route if you stop on a slope. When you restart driving, it keeps the car from rolling backwards.
- To sustain forward momentum on rougher terrain, electrically lock your rear differential to distribute engine power to both wheels. This is especially helpful on rough terrain where one wheel may come off course.
Slippery Slope: Managed Drop
It can be just as difficult to descend a hill as to climb one. The important thing is to keep your tires from locking, as this can cause excessive skidding.
- If you activate the option known as “Hill Descent Control,” the brake system will take care of your descent gradually. The car takes care of the rest. You just need to steer to keep the wheels from locking.
- To help the engine manage your pace, shift into a low gear.
- Steer with a smooth motion to prevent the car from becoming unsteady.
Sand Ahoy: Maintain Your Speed
Driving on the sand, like on a beach, needs a careful balancing act between momentum and control. Sand’s loose texture makes it deceptively challenging at times.
Transfer Mode on Sandy Terrain helps sustain the momentum required to drive across the sand by sharpening acceleration inputs.
Steer clear of being overly aggressive, which could send you into a ditch, or overly slow, which could stop you completely. Strike a balance to maintain your steady pace. By increasing the surface area in contact with the sand, lowering tyre pressure can improve traction.
Pack Down: After-drive Maintenance
Following your off-road excursion, make sure your car is free of debris and damage. Maintaining your car properly keeps it in top shape for your upcoming travels.
- Make sure all of the tires, including the spare, are correctly inflated and look for any punctures.
- Clear off any debris that has become stuck in the wheel wells or undercarriage.
- Wash your car well after driving through a river or beach to get rid of salt and stop the chassis and other parts from corroding. Pay close attention to the undercarriage as this is where sand and salt can collect.
Wrap Up
You may drive off-road safely and enjoyably if you heed Ford’s comprehensive advice and take to the trails with confidence. Becoming well-prepared and knowledgeable will improve your experience and keep you and your car in peak shape, regardless of whether you’re driving through dirt, rocks, hills, or sand. Giving a hit to the adventure is an extremely mindful activity that needs careful attention and preparation. Never hit the off-road without preparation. You should also make yourself mentally and physically able to experience these risky adventures. Your slight negligence may not only harm you but also the other around you. Hence, be careful and enjoy your off-road driving thrills.
