Who won’t like to have an SUV? However, there are a handful of owners, who actually take their utility animal out in the open away from the regular tarmac. For others, these days, SUV is more of a status symbol that lends them a sense of pride when they march on city roads. So if you are someone who is planning to go off-the-road this season, this article is worth a read.
Here we have listed 10 common mistakes that people usually make while off-roading, which we don’t want you to do.
Don’t head off unaccompanied
“Sometimes it’s better to be alone. Nobody can hurt you.” Yeah, that’s true. But don’t take this quote seriously when you decide to go off the road. It may turn out to be a big mistake. You can’t simply bank upon yourself independently when you are on an off-road tour. You would require someone who can support you and help you pull out of any difficult circumstance. Also, some places do not have a proper signal frequency which may keep you stranded for a while. Hence, group travel is suggested with more than one vehicle which may help you in rescuing your vehicle under any mishap. A towing rope is always a must while packing the belongings for an adventure tour.
Don’t ignore your vehicle’s potential
This is very crucial with respect to the off-road journey. You need to understand your car’s capabilities as well as its vulnerabilities before stepping out for a countryside expedition. Make sure while planning you also consider the size of your vehicle, its ground clearance etc. Don’t take along accessories that may prove unfruitful, or rather, hamper your vehicle’s performance while off-roading. For instance, you may get stranded if the large side step of your SUV gets struck at a high hump, or if the aftermarket front bumper is too wide vertically.
Don’t barge into any one’s farm
Always have full information about the place you are about to visit along with the permission, if required. Don’t just unfairly enter into anyone’s private territory; this is absolutely unwelcoming. Getting into someone’s farm/land ignorantly may cause damage to their crops or plants, which might ask for any uninvited trouble from the locals or farmers.
Not choosing the right driving mode
If you own an SUV with 4×4 mechanism and several driving modes then it is mandatory to opt for the right mode prior to the obstruction on the way. Generally, what happens is people switch modes only when they feel stuck to a hindrance, other than that they try their best to pull out everything on a normal mode, which is not good. The multiple driving modes are for our convenience and should be applied well before you reach an obstacle.
Not changing mode: from 4WD to 2WD
If the SUV is not a full-time 4-wheel-drive vehicle then don’t forget to change the mode from four-wheel-drive to two-wheel-drive, after you have completed the off-roading patch. There are chances that the part-time 4WD SUV might throw challenge with respect to the transmission when you drive at high speeds with 4×4 on. Hence, shifting to normal mode is vital after you complete the off-road stretch.
Don’t overlook tyre pressure
For an excellent off-roading outcome apt tyre pressure maintenance is essential. For e.g., if sandy surface is your destination for off-roading then maximum contact of the tyre is necessary. Hence you need to lower your tyre pressure that will help in the equal distribution of air on a larger surface preventing it from getting bogged down in the sand. Likewise, once you are back to normal road surface from off-roading, you need to check the tyre pressure again and maintain the recommended one else, if you continue with the similar pressure, chances of tyre burst are high.
Not carrying on the impetus
Keep in mind off-roading is not a track race. Here it’s all about being slow but persistent. Sudden throttle of the vehicle can cause major problems. For instance, if you get caught in the rut, acceleration won’t help you get out, on the contrary, you will get stuck deeper and deeper. Hence, it’s suggested to opt for enough momentum and steady throttle that will keep you moving and will aid you in getting out of the muddy setup.
Not gripping the steering correctly
Many people prefer to hold the steering by placing their thumbs at the inside of the wheel. It’s fine as long as you are driving under normal day to day conditions, but not great when under the off-roading setting. Thumbs outside the steering wheel is suggested here, the motive that follows is that you may get your thumb fractured if the vehicle suddenly hits an unseen rock or hard object in the water puddle or mucky pothole. Therefore, to avoid the abrupt impact, it is advised to keep your thumbs out of the wheel while driving.
Not inspecting the surface and surroundings
Off-roading is all about what lies ahead of you and how are you going to confront the topsy-turvy dare thrown at you. For confident off-roading it’s better to walk ahead of the vehicle and check the surrounding surface as to whether it’s soft sand, slush or just dirty water. With this, you get a clear picture about what sort of land your vehicle will be marching on, or whether it will be able to absorb the load of the vehicle.
Water wading Here again, constant momentum is the key. If you come across waterlogged area, don’t try to splatter water instead apply the slow and steady approach, ensure you aren’t too slow, as it may cause a wave to overturn at you. And going too fast might allow water inside the air-box which will lock the engine by a hydrostatic lock, which will result in a costly affair in terms of repair.
