| Even miles from anywhere there are rules of the | | | | morning can be more than difficult when it is soft |
| road, but mostly these are designed for your | | | | in the afternoon. |
| protection. Follow these guidelines/hint and you'll | | | | - When approaching obstacles ie. a ditch, it is |
| enjoy a safe trip. | | | | always best to do so at an angle so that only one |
| - Just as on the street, stay right to avoid | | | | tire is in there and the other three are on solid |
| oncoming traffic, if there is only room for one | | | | ground, they provide the traction to get you |
| vehicle to pass the more experienced driver | | | | across. If you try to take it head on the axel |
| should always give way. | | | | could become usless. |
| - When two meet on a gradient and there isn't a | | | | - Before driving over large rocks or boulders |
| safe place to pull over, the vehicle going up hill has | | | | consider whetheryou need to build a ramp up to it |
| the right of way. | | | | in front and behind, remember the underside of |
| - When driving off-road you should be familiar | | | | your vehicle has many fragile components, it is |
| with how to maneuver your vehicle under | | | | therefore best to drive over by placing one tire |
| different conditions and get yourself out of tight | | | | on it and gently driving over it rather than going |
| spots. | | | | straight at it down the center. What to do if you |
| - Off-road driving is a game of finesse, your goal | | | | stall or breakdown. |
| should be to have minimal impact on the terrain | | | | - If your vehicle is about to stall on either a steep |
| whilst at the same time getting through it | | | | incline or decline DO NOT depress the clutch, this |
| unscathed. | | | | can cause it to 'free wheel' and you could lose |
| - Keep the drivers side of the vehicle close to the | | | | control. Instead turn off the ignition and apply the |
| obstacles when driving through tight spots. But | | | | foot brake VERY hard, then apply the parking |
| don't forget about the rest of it, keep your eye | | | | break. After deciding your route down the hill, |
| on that too. | | | | slowly depress the clutch, put it in reverse, let the |
| - Heavily used tracks often become deeply rutted | | | | clutch out while slowly releasing the parking and |
| to the point where it is impossible to drive without | | | | foot brakes. Then start the engine. With an |
| getting the undercarriage stuck. Try driving with | | | | automatic transmission NEVER shift the gear lever |
| one wheel on the middle hump or if there is | | | | to Park, this can lock your transmission. |
| enough room on the side, drive with one wheel on | | | | - If you get stuck on a log, stump or rock that |
| the hump and one on the far side of one of the | | | | can be moved, jack up your vehicle and move |
| ruts. | | | | the object, if it can't be moved jack up the |
| - When you are going to be driving through mud, | | | | vehicle and fill underneath the tires so that you |
| snow or deep sand, deflate your tires slightly to | | | | can drive over it. |
| increase the tires footprint which will provide | | | | - If you get stuck in sand. snow or dirt or mud let |
| better traction. but remember to re-inflate them | | | | some air out of your tires, clear away as much |
| before going off-road again, deflated tires mean | | | | as you can that is in your way and lay down |
| less ground clearance. Use steady momentum to | | | | anything that will give your tires traction, even |
| carry you through. Keep up your speed and use | | | | sleeping bags, if that doesn't work, have you got |
| higher gears. Don't spin your tires and don't stop | | | | a winch? Try that but if you still have no success, |
| until you are through, if however the tires do | | | | DON'T PANIC, keep calm. You can always contact |
| start to spin, take your foot off the pedal just a | | | | help on the trusty CV radio you remembered to |
| bit, to allow the tires to slow and regain traction. | | | | have installed before you set off. Call for help and |
| - If you do lose traction and your vehicle is hardly | | | | stay with your vehicle. Put on something bright |
| moving, turn the steering wheel from side to side | | | | such as a woollen hat or jumper so that you can |
| quickly to allow the tire walls to find a grip. | | | | easily be spotted. Never walk in the hottest part |
| - If muddy conditions force you to drive in the | | | | of the day, walking is best done morning and |
| ruts always know where your wheels are | | | | evening, and if necessary light a fire to help make |
| pointing, because your vehicle will follow the ruts | | | | yourself visible. Don't worry you will get through it. |
| even with the wheels turned left or right. | | | | These are the joys of motoring! |
| - Remember packed snow crossed in the early | | | | |