Off-Road Driving Tips for the Toughest of Terrains

Off-road driving is an enjoyable pastime for people wanting to get away from the daily grind at weekends and experience the road less traveled. As off-roading grows in popularity, Driver Assist Technologies have also been developed along the way, with all sorts of exciting aids to make your journey a fun and comfortable one.

In the Philippines, one of the more popular off-road driving hotspots is the lahar-covered trails around Mount Pinatubo in Northern Luzon. The area has even become a tourist attraction of sorts for adventurous individuals who want to get a taste of off-road driving complete with hiking and trekking.

The Ford Everest has been tried and tested to take on the toughest off-road terrains like rocks, deep mud, and steep hills. Richard Woolley, vehicle integration attributes supervisor from Ford, ventured to Tasmania, Australia, to enjoy some challenging terrain inside the Ford Everest. Woolley shares some off-road driving tips and tricks:

Drive Preparations

Before leaving the city on an off-road adventure, ensure your vehicle has a full tank of fuel and you have either a map or GPS. Built-in navigation such as SYNC 3 in the Everest is a great tool for planning your route ahead of time.

"Even when fully prepared, it's best not to go 4WDing alone," said Woolley. "Always try to travel with others in case you become immovable or run out of fuel, and notify friends and family of your route before leaving town."

Mud Bath

Muddy tracks can be a challenge as the road becomes slippery over time thanks to heavily rutted out tracks from other drivers and rain, filling those wheel ruts with water. For vehicles with a Terrain Management System (TMS), a mud-mode is designed to keep its RPM low for greater control, while enhanced ABS and torque control will minimize wheel slip.

Rocky Road

A rocky track is typically uneven, so remaining in control at a slow-and-steady pace is the best way through this extreme off-road terrain. It's easy to employ Rock-mode on the TMS. Simply turn the dial while in neutral and follow the vehicle's cluster directions to engage 4x4 low range.

"Rock-mode maintains first gear in 4x4 Low, keeping the RPM at optimum for engine torque, plus it also softens the pedal intensity so when you're getting bumped around over the obstacles, the vehicle will provide a smoother ride," explained Woolley. "ABS and torque transfer are also maximized to help drivers navigate the toughest terrain."

Hill Climb

"When ascending a steep hill, it can be tricky to know which line to take," said Woolley. "If safe, get out your vehicle and walk the track to find where the ruts and rocks may be--the next task is avoiding wheel slippage."

By engaging 4x4 Low, the vehicle will maintain optimal revs and engine torque, allowing you to gradually climb the hill without losing too much traction. If stopped on a gradient, a feature like Hill Launch Assist allows you to pause and re-assess the path. When you actually take your foot off the brake, the feature maintains the vehicle in its current position for a few seconds, before driving away.

If the terrain is extremely rough, an electronic locking rear differential will provide full engine torque to both rear wheels, helping with forward momentum.

Slippery Slope

When attempting a hill descent, you have to be careful not to lock the tires and start sliding uncontrollably. By engaging Hill Descent Control, the brake-system will take you downhill at a steady pace. You do the steering and the vehicle takes care of the rest.

"If you get the opportunity, walk the hill first to ensure there are no surprises at the bottom and to pick your driving line," said Woolley.

Sand Ahoy

Sand-mode on the TMS dial offers an aggressive torque transfer and increased accelerator sensitivity, combining to maintain momentum needed to drive through sand.

"Driving on a sandy beach is loads of fun, but traction is lessened due to the loose nature of the terrain, so keeping momentum is key," said Woolley."Trying to be too aggressive will dig you into a ditch, while going too slow may bring you to a halt--it's a fine balance of steady momentum."

Always try to roll to a stop in sand rather than applying the brakes, that way the tires won't dig in as much, making your eventual take-off easier.

Pack Down

After a fun weekend of driving, check over your vehicle for any leftover debris or damage, particularly the tires. There's no point carrying a spare if it's flat. If you've been driving along the beach, or even rivers, give your vehicle a good wash down to avoid salt corrosion developing over time.

Going Further Off-Road

Whether it be a rocky track, sand dunes or mud pit, the Ford Everest can help you tackle the toughest of conditions off-road. It's packed with features that give drivers the confidence they need to tackle a range of obstacles, whether it be a novice or seasoned off-roader.

To know more about the Everest, visit www.ford.com.ph/suvs/everest/ or a Ford dealer nearest you.