THE LAND ROVER GUIDE TO OFF ROAD DRIVING
A Land Rover is capable of more than you could ever imagine. It can carry you through almost any environment: thick forest, fiery desert, rugged mountain, or frozen river. The key to safe driving on any terrain is a robust knowledge of your vehicle and what it can do. Before you venture off-road, equip yourself with a clear mental picture of the underside of your 4×4. Continue reading to learn some tips and tricks for driving your Land Rover off-road.
LAND ROVER OFF-ROAD TECHNIQUE
Drive as slowly as possible, and as fast as necessary. Always keep both hands on the wheel, even when reversing. Don’t hook your thumbs inside the steering wheel. Kickback from rough terrain could sprain them. Use progressive throttle, gentle steering, and progressive braking. Never make harsh movements unless it’s vital to do so. Keep steering precise and braking to a minimum. Use the driver display to check that your wheels are straight and assess any potential risks ahead. Where necessary, get out of your vehicle and check the terrain. Avoid gear changes while negotiating tricky terrain.
LAND ROVER OFF-ROAD TECHNOLOGY
LAND ROVER TERRAIN RESPONSE
Land Rover’s pioneering technology optimizes settings to give a combination of traction, agility, and control which best suits the terrain. There are five programs in the Terrain Response system: Normal Driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts, Sand, and Rock Gravel. Choose the one that best suits the terrain you’re tackling. If you have Terrain Response 2, this will happen automatically. To climb, always use the highest practical gear. To descend use the lowest, and/or engage Hill Descent Control if available. If you have an automatic gearbox and Terrain Response, select [D] and the vehicle will cope with whatever conditions you throw at it. If you want to be a bit more hands-on, try CommandShift. When driving on icy, slippery, or muddy surfaces in an automatic 4×4, move off in second gear as it reduces the risk of wheel spin. If you’re in a manual vehicle without low range, use first gear. The key is to find the right balance between traction and momentum. If you have decent traction, use less momentum.
ALL-TERRAIN PROGRESS CONTROL (ATPC)
Land Rover’s innovative 4×4 technology enables steady, composed progress across any terrain at the push of a button.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL (HDC)
Allows smooth, controlled descent in rough terrain without the driver needing to touch the brakes.
DRIVING YOUR LAND ROVER OFF-ROAD IN THE MUD
In deep mud, you need steady momentum to carry you through. Engage Mud and Ruts on Terrain Response, and use a low-range gear like 2nd or 3rd. Your tires will cut through mud to find traction on the firmer ground below.
All Land Rovers have built-in Traction Control, which drives power to the wheels with the most traction. If your wheels do start to spin, ease off the throttle and slow the tires to regain grip.
DRIVING YOUR LAND ROVER OFF-ROAD ON ROCKS
Before crossing rocks and scree in your 4×4, get out of the vehicle and assess the risks.
If you feel it’s safe to continue, select Rock Crawl on Terrain Response and proceed carefully. Low-range first gear is best for rocky ground. If possible, ask someone outside the vehicle to guide you through the area, or use surround cameras if fitted. Traversing before navigating uneven ground, secure anything inside the vehicle that could fall. If possible, remove any roof-rack items. Use the lowest gear possible and approach at a crawl. Avoid the temptation to steer up the slope. If you slide, steer downhill and gently apply the throttle. If you lose traction on your uphill wheels, stop immediately, reverse away and choose a more suitable route. Keep an eye out for anything that could unbalance the vehicle, like rocks or potholes. Approach logs, rocky steps, or ditches diagonally: you want three wheels on the ground at all times.
DRIVING YOUR LAND ROVER DOWNHILL
Stop one vehicle length before the descent, so you have time to make any corrections. Remember your departure angle. Is the back of your vehicle going to hit the ground? Choose the lowest gear possible and select Hill Descent Control (HDC), if available. If using HDC, try to keep your foot away from the pedal and avoid the temptation to brake. If you do need to brake, apply progressive rather than strong pressure. If you don’t have HDC, just use your lowest gear. Follow the natural fall line—the route water would take down the slope—and keep your wheels straight. If the vehicle starts to slide, increase the throttle to match the ground speed and regain steering control. If driving a manual, never roll or reverse downhill in neutral or with the clutch depressed. And never turn your 4×4 on a steep slope, as it could lead to sideways sliding.
DRIVING YOUR LAND ROVER UPHILL
Wherever possible, investigate the area on foot. You should always know what’s on the other side of the hill. Remember your approach angle: is the wheel or nose going to hit the ground first? Approach the hill straight on, rather than diagonally, to avoid a roll. Use the highest gear in which the vehicle will ‘pull’ comfortably. Never attempt to turn your 4×4 on a steep slope. Be prepared for a failed climb, it happens to the best drivers. Work out an escape route and take note of where the obstacles are.
DISCOVERY LAND ROVER OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES AT OUR LAND ROVER DEALERSHIP
Land Rover Hinsdale is your destination for on and off-road luxury SUVs. Our Land Rover dealership proudly serves off-road enthusiasts throughout the greater Chicago area and the state of Illinois. Whether you want to shop our in-stock inventory of capable Land Rover SUVs, or pre-order one, you will find your next off-road Land Rover at our dealership.