| Australia is the perfect varied location for a | | | | - Shovel |
| 4-wheel drive adventure, enabling the off-roader | | | | - 2-way radio, or in the Australian outback, |
| to get the maximum enjoyment out of having a | | | | you should also include an emergency transmitter |
| 4x4 vehicle. This brief guide is designed to help | | | | beacon. |
| you extract the maximum from your off-road | | | | - Suitable, climate-appropriate clothing |
| adventure. Australia is the perfect location for a | | | | - Correct footwear |
| 4-wheel drive adventure. Its varying climates, soil | | | | - GPS navigation and maps |
| and terrains offer the off-roader a wide array of | | | | - Food and water |
| challenges to test their driving skills and get the | | | | - Extra fuel |
| maximum enjoyment out of having a four-wheel | | | | *** 5 - Off-Road Driving Technique *** |
| drive vehicle. In rainforests, deserts, and other | | | | To drive effectively over rough terrain, a degree |
| places no ordinary vehicles could reach, you will | | | | of smoothness is required. Make sure the throttle |
| find numerous all-terrain vehicles. The moment | | | | is applied smoothly and released slowly. This |
| you venture off the tarmac is the moment you | | | | keeps the offroad tyres from spinning on |
| realise the incredible potential of a four wheel | | | | acceleration or deceleration. Keep steering precise |
| drive. This guide is designed to make sure you | | | | and braking to a minimum. The driver always |
| extract the absolute maximum out of your | | | | controls the four-wheel drive; the vehicle should |
| off-road adventure, especially if you've decided to | | | | never control the driver. |
| take the plunge and buy a 4WD! | | | | *** 6 - Overcoming Obstacles *** |
| *** 1 - Know Your 4WD Inside-Out *** | | | | Try walking the ground before you actually drive |
| Before you venture off-road, it’s worth | | | | on it. Approach ridges straight on but approach a |
| ensuring that you have a good mental picture of | | | | log, rocky step or ditch diagonally so that three of |
| the underside of your four-wheel drive. Check the | | | | the four wheels always retain contact with the |
| position of fragile parts such as the fuel tank, | | | | ground. Make sure tyres are fully inflated to road |
| engine sump, differentials, and gearbox , so | | | | pressures for rocky ground. Straddle deep ruts |
| you’re less likely to snag them on rocks, | | | | with your 4WD. This will keep the vehicle level, |
| tree stumps, and other obstacles. Check the roof | | | | reducing environmental impact. |
| rack and consider it as you drive under low tree | | | | As you drive along a deeply rutted track, take |
| branches. Read the owner’s manual and | | | | special care if the ruts are cut into slippery |
| discover the purpose of all the on-board | | | | ground. Indeed, you may be unaware that the |
| technology and features, especially on the latest | | | | wheels are not pointed straight ahead until grip |
| advanced four-wheel drives. | | | | becomes available and the vehicle suddenly veers |
| *** 2 - Expert Tips For Off-Road Driving *** | | | | to one side. Some advanced 4WD vehicles have |
| As long as it is safe to do so, test the surface by | | | | a wheel direction indicator to help you in situations |
| walking over the ground before you drive over it | | | | such as this. |
| and always walk a water obstacle wearing gum | | | | Unless you are going downhill, the best way to |
| boots and carrying a stick for checking silt and | | | | avoid having your wheels 'locked' by a rutted |
| underwater hollows. It's better to get your feet | | | | track is to relax your grip on the steering wheel |
| wet than your 4WD vehicle stuck. Before | | | | occasionally, while keeping a frictional grip with |
| ascending a hill, ensure you know what’s | | | | your palms. This will allow the wheels to regain the |
| over the crest. Never hook your thumbs inside | | | | straight-ahead position. The tyres may not be |
| the steering wheel, as any kickback from the | | | | able to grip the slippery sides of the rut and you |
| terrain could sprain or even break them, but | | | | will be unable to turn the steering wheel to the |
| always keep both hands on the wheel, even | | | | left or right. |
| when reversing. | | | | *** 7 - Selecting The Best Driving Gear *** |
| *** 3 - The Golden Rules For Four-Wheel Driving | | | | Selecting the best gear and range is vital for |
| *** | | | | smooth progress and the most enjoyoment from |
| Drive as slowly as possible and as fast as | | | | your off-road experience: |
| necessary. Know your vehicle’s | | | | Rocky ground should be attemptted in Low |
| dimensions height, weight, width, length, | | | | Range, 1st gear; |
| approach and departure angle, ramp angle, and | | | | Soft ground in Low Range 2nd or 3rd gear; |
| ground clearance. Know the international hand | | | | Ice and snow in the highest gear possible for |
| signals for marshalling. Avoid gear changes while | | | | conditions; |
| negotiating difficult terrain. Use great care when | | | | Slopes should be climbed in the highest practical |
| driving on loose or wet surfaces due to the | | | | gear; |
| reduced level of grip. | | | | Slopes should be descended in Low Range, 1st |
| Be prepared to admit defeat: back off and try | | | | gear; |
| again, or try an alternative route. | | | | Wading in Low Range 2nd gear; |
| Avoid excessive wheelspin at all times but | | | | Sandy tracks should be driven in Low Range in |
| especially on soft ground where the vehicle can | | | | 3rd, 4th or 5th gear. |
| easily lose momentum and even cause | | | | *** 8 - Taking Your 4x4 Back On Road *** |
| environmental damage. Use a gentle right throttle | | | | Once you have completed your off-road |
| foot and always tell someone where | | | | adventure, you will need to return to the road. To |
| you’re going, what route you plan to | | | | do this, you should: disengage diff-lock, if applied; |
| follow, and when you expect to return. | | | | stop and check for any minor damage such as |
| *** 4 - Essential Kit For Driving OffRoad *** | | | | cuts in tyres, body damage, or lodged debris; |
| For any four-wheel drive, off-road adventure, | | | | check that lights, windows, and mirrors are clear, |
| it’s essential that you know your all-terrain | | | | that number plates can still be read and that all |
| vehicle inside out and pack the essentials in your | | | | equipment is secure. |
| 4WD off-roader before heading out. | | | | The final check is to take happy memories of the |
| Check list: | | | | exhilarating ride and make sure you start planning |
| - Tow rope | | | | your very next offroad trip in the near future! |