A selected few 4WD driving tips

Actually there is an infinite number of things one could do to mess up a 4WD, but I will focus on the most likely things that you will encounter when off-road. Also, all of the following pages deal with light duty recreational use of average 4WD and SUV - just the clean and easy approach to discover the back country - hard core off-road fans need to look somewhere else for driving tips. Since tire failure is the #1 cause for trouble when off-road, proper tire care and safe driving techniques are covered here first. • damage prevention • value of LT tires • tire bruising • obstacle approach • wheel cheat • cactus and other poking stuff • sidewall punctures • tire repair kit - plug & pump To keep your SUV new and shiny, driving tips to save your paint are included as well. • bushes • distraction Back country roads don't have any signs - nobody tells you what to do - you are on your own. That can make you pretty uneasy. But I'll give you a couple of pointers how to read the road ahead. • avoid speed (road gone) • know when tires want to spin - become a psychic • picking a good line (ruts & rocks) Modern SUVs have lost a lot of their initial WW II ruggedness and some body parts need special attention. I'll tell what to look out for. • ground clearance • rocker clearance • improve by building a ramp • help traction by placing 2nd rock How to use 4WD • level A (dirt roads) • level B (bad dirt roads with obstructions) • level C ( unmaintained trails) ... and a lot of other valuable stuff: • you want larger tires? • how to drive (easy) • don't follow too closely • the right attitude (tread lightly etc.) • when to engage 4WD • how to engage 4WD (Jeep Grand Cherokee) • selecting 2WD, 4WD, 4Lo etc. etc. • starting in gear? • ABS or not ? • how to enage diff lock • when to engage differential locks • tire chains or not? • how many chains are needed? • maps and GPS • buddy system or not ? • automatics and 4WD • beach driving (cars hate soft sand) • deflating your tires ? • keeping or losing mud flaps • don't straddle - put tire on it (driver side) • keep your steering straight (mud/ruts) • if you stall - don't touch your clutch!! • if you get stuck

Ten stupid things men do to mess up their 4WD   More basic off-road driving tips coming as my time alows Latest topics: tire safety rocks on road I rocks on road II save your paint 4WD training courses who invented 4WD ? most unique 4x4 future of 4WD? Baja California trips / tours tough trips

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