Off-Road Driving

2 min read

Off-roading can be an exhilarating, fun activity for all the family. But it's definitely not just normal pavement driving. Learn about the specific techniques you’ll need to navigate tough terrain safely.

Whether you're venturing into the wilderness or going to a specialized off-road park, you can have a special day out. When driving on gravel, sand, mud and rock, things can get interesting. Add in a stream or two, and some steep inclines and you can get yourself in trouble if you don't know what you’re doing.

Quick Tips

Here are some quick tips on some of the main types of terrain, but be sure to check out our Ultimate 4X4 Driving Guide for more detailed information.

SAND, SNOW AND MUD

Deflate your tires a bit to increase your tire footprint for better traction.
Use steady momentum all the way through.
In sand and snow, if your wheels start to spin, ease off the gas a little to let the tires slow down and regain traction. In mud, maintain some wheel spin to help clear mud from the drive tires.

ROCKS, LOGS AND DITCHES

Approach obstacles at an angle, so that only one tire engages, leaving the other three tires on solid ground for traction.
To protect the fragile components on the underside of your vehicle, it’s best to drive over an obstacle by placing one tire on it, then gently driving over it.

Hills

Approach the hill straight on, so the weight is distributed equally, providing equal traction to all four tires.
Use as high a gear as the vehicle will handle comfortably on the hill. If the gear is too low, you will spin the tires. If it’s too high, you won’t have enough power.
Always prepare for a failed climb and have an escape plan.

The Ultimate 4X4 Driving Guide

With over 40 years of off-road experience BFGoodrich have learned a a lot. For a more in depth look at off-road driving techniques, see our Ultimate 4X4 Driving Guide