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If you\u2019ve bought an SUV \u2013 especially one with four-wheel drive and dedicated off-road settings \u2013 there\u2019s every chance you\u2019ll want to see exactly what it can do in the rough. Well, Auto Express is here to help, as we head into the dirt with a Jeep Wrangler to give you top tips and advice for any potential off-road adventures.<\/p>\n
The best way to make the most of your car\u2019s ability will be to take it on a properly prepared course, although do make sure that you\u2019re insured for such driving beforehand. If you want to use the public highway for so-called \u2018green laning\u2019, then you need to find unclassified roads (UCRs) or byways open to all traffic (BOATs).\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Road driving tips: how to drive on the road<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe easiest way of doing this is to sign up to the Green Lane Association (glass-uk.org), which offers advice on where you can head off road legally, while becoming a paid-up member gives you access to TrailWise2, the GLA\u2019s constantly-updated online database of every vehicle-accessible off-road route that the association currently knows of in the UK.<\/p>\n
The biggest piece of advice that anybody can give to prospective off-roaders is to be prepared. Here we take a look at some of the things that you need to be aware of, including how to get yourself and your car ready for an off-road drive, the dos and don\u2019ts of driving on the trail, and even what you need to do before heading back on the highway.<\/p>\n
The drive may well offer a bumpy ride, but our off-road driving top tips here should help any journey go smoothly.<\/p>\n
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Even if you\u2019ve bought the most advanced off-roader, you\u2019re not going to be able to make the most of it if you just head for the nearest muddy field and let rip.<\/p>\n
The best piece of planning you can do is to take an off-road driving course, where a qualified instructor will be able to show you the ins and outs of off-road driving. Expect to pay around \u00a3150 for one-on-one tuition, or more if you want to learn about advanced techniques. Plus you\u2019ll usually be at the wheel of a centre\u2019s own 4×4 to save your car from damage.<\/p>\n
Vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler have their off-road capability clearly marked \u2013 in this case it\u2019s on a plaque on the rear tailgate. \u00a0<\/strong>If it\u2019s not easily to hand, then you\u2019ll need to look at the owner\u2019s manual. Here you should find the data you need, plus instructions on how and when to use the car\u2019s 4×4 system.<\/p>\n Most 4x4s drive out of the showroom on tyres that are biased towards road use, rather than off-roading. Tyre pressures for the road are designed to offer good fuel economy when rolling across smooth tarmac, but if you want to head off road, taking some air out of the tyres will help with traction on slippery surfaces and reduce the risk of you getting stuck.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re bitten by the bug of off-road driving, then the next step is to invest in a set of all-terrain tyres for your 4×4. These are compromised on the road \u2013 most notably by producing more tyre roar \u2013 but they deliver far better grip in slippery conditions.<\/p>\n They can benefit from lower tyre pressures, too, but whichever type of tyre you\u2019re using, always be sure to reinflate them to their recommended on-road settings before heading back onto the highway.<\/p>\n A car\u2019s approach, departure and breakover angles determine how far off road you can go. Basically these figures tell you how much clearance you have when tackling steep slopes before the car\u2019s bumpers or the underside will touch the ground. The higher the figure (in degrees), the more clearance a car will have.<\/p>\n Most modern 4x4s come with comprehensive touchscreens that will show you information about your car\u2019s settings. In the Jeep, the locking differentials are operated via the screen, while other displays show steering and vehicle angles.<\/p>\n Low-range gears help 4x4s tackle tough terrain by making better use of the power at lower revs. Our Jeep uses a lever to select low range. If yours doesn\u2019t have low range, use first or second gears instead.<\/p>\n You should find a comfortable driving position that allows you to see all of your surroundings before you head off, but one common mistake when driving off-road is to grip the steering wheel with your thumbs inside the spokes. Because the surface you\u2019re driving on is potentially strewn with rocks and other obstructions, a front tyre could strike a solid object and cause the steering to kick back through the wheel, moving it suddenly out of your hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n With your thumbs in the way, there\u2019s a risk of a sprain or even a more severe injury, so it\u2019s best to grip the wheel with your palm and fingers on the outside of the rim.\u00a0<\/p>\n You should be able to move around in your seat to look ahead from different positions, although before you do this, get out and check the route ahead \u2013 don\u2019t just drive blindly forwards.<\/p>\n On sections where you can\u2019t see what\u2019s ahead, a spotter outside the car can guide you. It\u2019s worth saying here that you should never head off-road alone, and always tell somebody where you\u2019re going.<\/p>\n When tackling a steep uphill section, it\u2019s best to gather as much momentum as possible before you hit the upward slope. Accelerate before you get there, and you should be able to make it to the top without stopping. Low-range gears and differential locks are your friends here, with the ability to send power to all four wheels at once, which should overcome any loss of traction.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re driving an unknown route, stop when you reach the peak, so that you can assess what\u2019s coming next.<\/p>\n Low-range gears are your friend on downward slopes, too. Select as low a gear as possible and let the engine braking do most of the work, letting the revs rise in the process \u2013 using the brakes could cause a lock-up, even when ABS is fitted, because dirt can build like a wave in front of the tyres, reducing grip. If your 4×4 has hill descent control, use it \u2013 the car\u2019s electronics will regulate your speed.<\/p>\n First, check the depth of the water you want to cross and find your car\u2019s wading depth in the owner\u2019s manual. Once you\u2019re sure it\u2019s safe to cross, go slow and steady. A splash looks spectacular, but get water in the engine or electrics, and it\u2019s a costly mistake.<\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t worked it out by now, the mantra for most off-roading is to take it easy. This is especially true when traversing at an angle. Keeping your speed down helps with grip and stability.<\/p>\n A good sign of off-road fun is a filthy car. But wash off excess dirt before heading home, so that you don\u2019t leave slippery mud and stones on the highway, causing a hazard to other road users.<\/p>\nApply some pressure<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nAngles of attack<\/h2>\n
Make the most of your tech<\/h2>\n
Use the lowest gear available<\/h2>\n
Watch your thumbs<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nLook before you leap<\/h2>\n
Use a spotter<\/h2>\n
Power up<\/h2>\n
Slow down<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nDon\u2019t make waves<\/h2>\n
Steady sailing<\/h2>\n
Keep it clean<\/h2>\n