Operation Manual

Off-road driving
179
DRIVING ON SOFT SURFACES & DRY SAND
The ideal technique for driving on soft ground
and dry sand, requires the vehicle to be kept
moving at all times - soft ground and sand
causes excessive drag on the wheels,
resulting in a rapid loss of motion once
driving momentum is lost. For this reason,
gear changing should be avoided.
• Engage the DIFF LOCK.
• Select the highest suitable gear and
REMAIN in that gear until a firm surface is
reached. It is generally advisable to use
LOW range gears, as these will enable you
to accelerate through worsening
conditions without the risk of being unable
to restart.
• Disengage the DIFF LOCK as soon as firm
ground is reached.
Stopping the vehicle on soft ground, in sand
or on an incline
If you do stop your vehicle, remember:
Starting on an incline or in soft ground or
sand is almost impossible. Always park on a
firm level area, or with the vehicle facing
downhill.
On vehicles not fitted with Traction control, to
avoid wheel spin, select second or third gear,
and use the MINIMUM throttle necessary to
get the vehicle moving.
If forward motion is lost, avoid excessive use
of the throttle - on vehicles not fitted with
Traction control, this will cause wheel spin
and tend to dig the vehicle into the sand. Clear
sand from around the tyres and ensure that
the chassis and axles are not bearing on the
sand before again attempting to move.
If the wheels have sunk, use an air bag lifting
device or high lift jack to raise the vehicle, and
then build up sand under the wheels so that
the vehicle is again on level ground. If a
restart is still not possible, place sand mats or
ladders beneath the wheels.