Off-Road Driving Techniques

There are many driving techniques unique to off-road travel. ...and, as many people as you ask, you will find opinions. Below you'll find some tips to get you started. Always remember this one point, though:

If you're not 100% certain about what's in front of your Jeep, ask for a spotter - they will always have a better view than you.

How To Drive Offroad on Sand, Snow and Mud

1. When riding through deep sand, snow or mud, deflate your tires slightly to increase the tire's footprint and provide better traction. Deflated tires will decrease your ground clearance though. Remember to re-inflate your tires before going on-road again.

2. Use a steady momentum to carry you through. Keep your speed up and use higher gears. Don't spin your tires, and don't stop till you're out of the deep sand. If your wheels start to spin, ease off the throttle just a bit and allow the tires to slow down and regain traction.

3. If you lose traction and the vehicle is barely moving, turn the steering wheel quickly from side to side in short strokes (only 1/8th turn) to allow the front tire walls to find extra grip.

4. If muddy conditions force you to drive in the ruts, know where your front wheels are pointed at all times. Your vehicle will follow the ruts, even with the wheels turned to the right or left. If you encounter a dry spot with the wheels turned, then the front wheels can regain traction and suddenly throw the vehicle out of the ruts, resulting in a loss of control and possible damage.

5. Remember that hard snow crossed in the early morning can be impassable when soft in the afternoon.

How To Drive Offroad on Rocks, Logs and Ditches

Always check water, snow, high grass and mud crossings for hidden obstacles, such as logs, rocks and holes.

1. When approaching obstacles, such as a ditch, it's best to be at an angle, so that only one tire enters the ditch at a time when crossing. This leaves the other three tires on solid ground to provide traction to get you across. If you enter squarely, then an entire axle could become useless, plus add to the difficulty of getting out.

2. Before you drive over large rocks, consider whether you need to build a ramp in front of and behind any rock that has a steep approach and/or departure that could ground your vehicle.

3. Since the underside of your truck has many fragile and vital components (differentials, driveshafts, transmission, transfer case, oil pan, exhaust, gas tank), it's best to drive over an obstacle by placing one tire on it, then gently driving over it, rather than trying to take it down the center.

How To Drive Off-road On Hills

As you approach a hill, don't just rush into it blindly -- look it over, and realize the road might make a sharp turn just when you can't see anything but your hood. Remember that any hill you go down you may also have to come back up. If you don't think you can come back up it, don't go down unless there's another clear and obvious trail out.

1. When climbing a hill, use as high a gear as the vehicle will "pull" comfortably. If the gear selected is too low, you will spin the tires. If it is too high, you will not have enough power to climb the hill. (The general rule of thumb is 3rd gear up and 1st gear down with an automatic, 2nd gear up and 1st gear down with a manual, all in Low Range. If this doesn't work, try High Range.) Lock front hubs, and lock differentials (if fitted).

2. Line up your vehicle so it has a straight approach at the hill. If at all possible, try to keep the vehicle parallel with the slope of the hill, so the vehicle's weight is equally distributed, providing equal traction to all four wheels. Apply power at the bottom of the hill, and ease off the throttle when you go over the top to keep the vehicle under control.

3. Always prepare for a failed climb. Work out an escape route and know where all of the obstacles are.

4. If you must park on a hill, turn off the engine, leave it in gear with a manual transmission (or in park with an automatic and apply the hand brake). Place chocks, rocks or logs under the wheels to provide additional braking assistance.

Tips for Descending Hills on Failed Climbs

If the vehicle stalls going uphill, then apply the brakes, put it in reverse, remove your feet from the clutch and brake pedal simultaneously, and turn the key to restart the engine. Then allow the vehicle to descend back down the hill using only the engine to keep the descent slow. Remember that visibility is limited when braking downhill, steering is much quicker, and steering kickback is more violent. Do not attempt to turn around on a steep hill, as the vehicle may roll.