Congratulations On Taking The Plunge And Hiring A 4X4 For An Awesome Off-road African Adventure!As A Newbie To The Wonderful World Of 4-wheel Drive, Youll Fall Into One Of Two Camps Those Who Think They Know It All Already, And Those Who Are Totally Terrified And Have No Idea How To Handle Their Camel-man-mobile Safely, Let Alone Get The Best Out Of It!This Article Is For You, Whichever Side You Fall; Never Be Too Proud Or Too Petrified To Learn, For Your Sake And The Sake Of Your Passengers And Fellow Off-road Track Users.Speed MomentumIf You Hit A Spot Of Trouble DONT Accelerate It Can Get You Into A Worse Position. Slow Down And Take It Easy This Helps You To Keep Traction And Your Tyres Will Work For You Instead Of Spinning Aimlessly.When Approaching An Obstacle, You Need Momentum. The Trick Is To Start A Little Way Back To Gain The Momentum You Need. This Is A Skill Which You Will Master Over Time.LimitsDont Try New Tricks When Youre Out Alone. Test Your Limits When Youre With More Experienced Drivers.MudUse A Stick To Test A New Mud Hole For Depth And Softness. Remember A Soft Hole Can Prove Impossible To Escape! Enter The Mud Hole With A Little Momentum And If You Feel That Youre Getting Stuck Turn The Wheel Left To Right To Gain Traction. Once Youve Gone As Far Forward As You Can Try Reverse Out.WindowsKeep The Windows Up To Avoid A Mud Shower Or A Face Full Of Dust.StuckIf You Are Truly Stuck, Try Letting A Little Air Out Of Your Tyres For Better Traction And When You Get Out Of The Ditch Dont Forget To Fill Them Up Again.StallingIf You Stall With Your Tailpipe Under Water, Get Towed Out And Pull The Spark Plugs Before Starting The Engine Again. A Cylinder Full Of Water Can Destroy An Engine. When The Plugs Are Out, However, The Water Will Be Safely Ejected.ObstaclesGo Slowly Over Obstacles. Pull The Hand Brake A Little For Tension On The Drive Line To Slow The Vehicle And Enable You To Accelerate Gently Over.SteeringAlways Hold The Steering Wheel With Thumbs Out When Youre Off-road. If You Hit A Ditch Or Obstacle The Wheel Could Spin Too Fast And Hurt Your Thumbs. Keeping Them Out Helps Prevent Injury. Keep Your Hands And Arms Inside The Truck To Avoid Accidents.Tools SparesKeep The Following With You:A Hi-lift JackSteel WireSpare Tyre And Plug KitSafetyWear A Safety BeltDont Travel Alone Have A Cell Phone On YouDont Drink Alcohol When DrivingGet Back On The Tar Road Before DarkGive Fellow 4X4 Drivers On The Track Plenty Of SpaceDont Race Or Churn Up The Soil Needlessly.RespectRespect The Land, The Other People Using The Trail And The Vehicle! Douse Campfires, Dont Litter (this Includes Cigarette Butts), Stick To Trails So As To Avoid Damaging The Plant Life.Leave Your Ego At Home And Remember Its About Having Fun!
