OFF ROAD DRIVING
(When and when not to use 4 wheel drive)
submitted by George Scott

First, a general word on safety! Fronteras, like any other 4x4 are designed for off road use with a good ground clearance. This also, however, means that the centre of gravity is much higher than a conventional road vehicle. They DO NOT go round corners the same as a Subaru! Sharp turns or harsh manoeuvres will most probably result in a loss of control at best and at worst, a rollover!

Use of 4 wheel drive
Use of 4wd is normally a case of judgement by the driver, with very few hard and fast rules about when TO use it! There are, however, one or two occasions where it should NOT be used! The first and perhaps most important being, on a good road surface or similar. This is because of the risk of `windup` and consequent damage to tyres or, in more extreme cases, the gear train and practically every other gear component! ( Windup and diffs are very well covered in the FAQs on the website so I don’t need to repeat that.) The other occasion I would not use 4wd is quite rare but I have come across it twice (I used to build and service vehicles for the Army and though landrovers don’t have this problem some of the Mercedes and Renaults do) and that is when a vehicle has been used on a circuit, even a loose dolomite one, going the same way round for extended periods (racing) windup can still occur!

Now we get to the good bit i.e. what we bought the Frontera for! It is incredible and sometimes unbelievable the type of terrain a `fronty` can traverse with a competent driver. On the other hand, however, a poor driver can get one stuck in a puddle in Tesco`s car park (I know, I’ve pulled one out!) The key to safe, and therefore enjoyable, use of 4wd off road is preparation and familiarity with the vehicle. The following are a few simple pointers, which have served well over the years!

• Read the handbook and make sure you understand where everything is and what it does! You can’t hurt anything by pushing and pulling levers and switches as long as you’re standing still with the handbrake on! So don’t just take the books word for it that the 4wd lever moves `for and aft` try it! You’ll remember it better.
• Before engaging 4wd, be aware of the speed limitations of the gearbox and stop the vehicle to do it. It will engage at low speed but your gearbox will last years longer if done at a standstill and there is usually (some exceptions) no need to do it on the move!
• High range 4wd is normally fine for `good` grass, firm mud or hard packed sand though that’s not an invitation to go fast! Flying round a loose dirt track in 4 high or 2wd can be fun until you wheel comes in side contact with a partially buried rock and your vehicle turns over!
• NEVER grip the wheel with your thumbs through the spokes! A sideways swipe of the wheel against a rock could break them when the steering wheel whips round!
• Drive at a sensible speed. When Greenlaning, we are out to see the countryside, etc not to win at Le Mans.
• Do not ride the clutch! If you hit a pothole or bump your foot could bounce on the clutch causing a fast disengage/engage resulting in a wheelspin (loss of control) and a lot of stress placed on your driveshafts, etc.
• If you wait till you are stuck to engage 4wd then its probably too late! You have the advantage of better visibility due to being higher up, read the conditions ahead!
• If you do get stuck, try a rocking motion (first and reverse gear) though not in soft mud or sand, as you will only sink deeper! Jack the vehicle up and pack the holes with rock, etc don’t rev the engine to try and power out!
Don’t wait till you are back on the tarmac to disengage 4wd. If you do it on some `semi`soft ground you will avoid wind up.

A few notes on preparation

1. Remove spoilers, low spotlights,etc
2. Be aware of wading depth limits
3. Be aware of turnover angle limits etc
4. Make sure battery clamps, etc are in good condition and tight.
5. Make sure all `movable` objects in the car are fastened down.
6. Be sure you have basic equipment such as a spade, towrope, first aid kit, torch, etc and if all else fails, a mobile phone!
Its best not to go `serious` off roading alone, but if you do, make sure someone knows where you are and when you are coming back!

Have FUN
The whole idea of getting out and about off road is to enjoy yourself. The mechanics of the thing, i.e. when to use 4wd etc will come with practice. Its not life or death (usually) and the thing I always recommend to `newbies` is to get along to some organised events where you can make as many mistakes as you like and there’s always someone who has been in the same situation to pull you out!
I’ve not mentioned driving on snow, as any competent driver already knows how to do that! We do have the advantage of 4wd though watch the tyres!!!