Four-wheel drive tips for off-road beginners

Heading off-road for the first time can be downright daunting, but if you've recently picked up the keys to a new four-wheel-drive then you may be wondering about how to make the most of it.

I once owned a Mitsubishi Pajero, and although its off-road credentials were commendable, in 18 months of ownership that poor car only once managed a trek off the beaten track – and that was just a trip to the beach!

As a novice, I found it hard to work out where to start; and if you're new to four-wheel-drive ownership then you could be concerned about the same things.

Where are the nearest tracks for beginners? What kind of terrain can the vehicle (and driver) comfortably tackle? What happens if you get stuck or lost or attacked by drop bears? They're all important questions.

Going bush can be quite a scary prospect, but taking your four-wheel-drive into its natural habitat need not be formidable. We joined four-wheel-drive enthusiast, Kelvin Yip from 4WDtrip.com.au to get some tips.

Where to start
Yip's non-negotiable for beginners is to always buddy-up with at least one experienced off-roader. He also recommends signing up to a beginners' 4WD trip on-line where the route will be designed for novice four-wheel drivers.

"Anyone signing up for a trip via our website will be asked to provide information on their skill level and their vehicle so the trip captains will know the capability of their party," said Yip.

Providing information and being honest about skill levels ensures all members of the trip stay safe during the event, and that activities are matched to participants.

Know your vehicle
Understanding your vehicle's off-road capability is crucial. Yip recommends giving the owner's manual a thorough review to check details like approach and departure angles, and break-over angles.

The approach angle is the largest angle the vehicle can climb without scraping or catching while the departure angle is the same but for the rear end. The break-over angle is the maximum angle a vehicle can pass over an obstacle before touching any point of the underside, other than the wheels.

Knowing these will help you determine whether your vehicle will clear particular obstacles. Your experienced off-road buddy should be able to help you work out the best path through a tricky section of track and can even guide you through tough stuff using a combination of hand signals. If in any doubt, you should always secure the vehicle, jump out, and have a good look at the terrain yourself, there's no point in guessing and hoping for the best.

"You also need to know where your rated recovery points are," said Yip. "Don't get confused by the smaller hooks in the front and rear of your car – these are only tie-down points for transporting your vehicle and are not suitable for recovery situations."

As we discovered, the recovery point at the rear of our Pajero would come in very handy…

Understanding drive modes
Getting behind the wheel, Yip talked through the various drive modes in the vehicles. In your own vehicle you could have settings indicated as 2H, 4H, 4L or you could have graphics to help select a particular terrain – Snow, Sand, Gravel and Tarmac.

Some vehicles also offer hill-descent control, where the vehicle will take over control of its throttle, brakes and gearing to safely manoeuvre down steep descents.

On tarmac and gravel roads, usually two-wheel drive (2H) is sufficient to maintain good handling. But once you start to get on to loose surfaces your vehicle will lose traction, so you're going to want to be in four-wheel drive (4H) mode. The best option is to plan ahead so you're in the right gear before you reach the next road surface.

Some vehicles will allow you to switch drive modes while driving (on-the-fly), while others need you to stop and put the car into neutral before you change. Again, it's important that you understand how your own vehicle operates before you need to change modes.

4H (or high-range four-wheel drive) allows the gearbox to use all gears and is generally suitable for easy off-road tracks.

Once you're ready to tackle harder terrain and steep inclines, then you'll be using 4L (or low-range four-wheel drive). This function changes the final drive to the wheels, allowing the vehicle to 'crawl' over obstacles at slower speeds. It's also useful for climbing or descending steep hills.

Recovery situations

During a demonstration of sand driving, we learned the importance of maintaining a good speed through the soft terrain, as slowing down can increase the risk of the car digging into the sand, and getting you bogged.

Slow and steady is, however, the name of the game when it comes to trickier terrain where there's no points awarded for getting there first – the only winner off-road is the one whose vehicle comes out the other end unscathed!

Water fording should only be attempted if you are confident that the water level does not exceed the limitations stipulated by the manufacturer (again, check the owner's manual). It's also imperative to know the surface beneath the water doesn't hide any snags that could stop you in your tracks, and that the surface can support your vehicle without becoming bogged. If crossing a creek or river, you should also be mindful that the current isn't so strong as to sweep you away.

In our case, the water crossing we attempted had an unseen thick layer of clay which caused us to become stuck fast, unable to drive either forward or reverse out. Even probing with a stick would not have given us a clear indication of how deep the mud was.

In the event that you become stuck as a first-timer, it is important that the experienced off-roader in your party is the one that leads the recovery. Vehicle recovery can be very dangerous if not carried out correctly and is not something that should be tackled by a novice.

The great thing about becoming bogged in this training situation was that we had all the right experts, equipment and other capable four-wheel drive vehicles on scene to make our recovery very straightforward indeed. As Yip pointed out, it is unlikely we would have even tried to tackle the water crossing if we hadn't been in a controlled environment.

It's for this reason that we recommend all first-timers ask their manufacturer whether it offers training events or drive days or find a reputable off-road group to join for their first trip. This will make sure the day is relatively uneventful but everyone has fun and returns home safely.

Go here  for more information on upcoming 4WD trips for beginners.

motoring.com.au's top 10 tips to getting off-road-ready

1. Know your 4WD and find your rated recovery points. If installing a tow-kit – make sure it can be equipped for use as a rated recovery point

2. Ask your dealer if the manufacturer runs workshops or activity days so you can get practice in a safe environment

3. Join a four-wheel drive club or on-line forum

4. Don't head out alone. Find a friend who is an experienced off-roader and ask if they will show you the ropes

5. Sign up to www.4wdtrip.com.au and join a beginner's trip to learn the basics

6. Put together your off-road 'kit' (see below) and take it with you!

7. Plan your trip and gather as much information about terrain, fire restrictions and weather forecasts as you can

8. Tell a friend or family member where you're headed, and when you'll be back

9. Get your vehicle serviced including any fluids and filters which may be due for replacement, and make sure the mechanic carries out a safety check. Check tyre pressures and tread, suspension and battery charge rate

10. Don't be too ambitious!Make your first trip an easy one where there are experts around to help you

What to pack in your off-road kit
If you're headed off the beaten track for the first time, here's a guide to motoring.com.au's essential off-road kit.

Please note that this is your kit list for the car – we're going to go ahead and assume you've got your human requirements (water/food/sunscreen, etc.) covered!

1. Navigation device with good reception and printed maps of your route.
Kelvin Yip from 4wdtrip.com.au also recommends using a navigation app like here.com which allows you to download apps for offline use – crucial if you're planning to head to an area without 3G coverage

2. UHF radio – don't be over-reliant on 3G coverage for your mobile phone. Data coverage can be poor, even in off-road destinations that are close to major metro areas. A UHF radio has great reach, and may help direct others to you in the event you become stranded

3. A sturdy shovel. Expect to be doing some manual labour if you get bogged in mud or sand

4. A small tool box – think screwdrivers, spanners, pliers, a mallet, a socket set, and jumper leads. If your vehicle is getting on in years, you may wish to pack spare parts and fuses too

5. Extra fuel in an appropriate, sealed container, water, coolant and engine oil.
If your vehicle is older or you're travelling for several days then take brake fluid, transmission oil and a spare air filter too

6. A tyre gauge and air compressor
Reducing tyre pressure will make travelling off-tarmac easier on your tyres. The air compressor will enable you to pump your tyres back up to the manufacturer's recommend pressure before you hit the road again.

7. Long tyre iron or cross brace
This will make wheel removal easier than using your vehicle's standard gear, especially if they've been tightened by a rattle gun

8. Trolley jack
Simpler to use than a high lift jack, Kelvin recommends taking a wooden board to sit the trolley jack on in case you're not on stable ground when you need to use it

9. Torch and towel For obvious reasons

10. Shelter – either an awning, gazebo or tent will give valuable coverage should you get stranded. If you can't afford these, at least consider a tarp, some gaffers tape and some cable ties

11. Recovery tracks
A pair of plastic moulded boards that can be placed under bogged wheels to give extra traction

12. Rated D-shackle, snatch strap and weight these should only ever be used by experienced off-roaders but will be essential for use in a recovery situation