Off roads Driving Tips - Hill Climbing

Steep hills can be one of the trickiest obstacles you're likely to encounter while driving off-road. Not only have you got a gradient to contend with, but gravity is also working against you. It just doesn't seem fair.

However, science is on your side - when attempting the climb for the first time, consider the proven formula for success:

A successful climb = the correct route + sufficient traction + sufficient momentum

RULE OF THUMB

High / Low Range: Low

• Gears: Select the highest practical gear if slippery
• Suspension: Raise if necessary
• Diff lock(s): Engage
• Speed: Momentum may be needed, but ease off at you approach the top
• Note: Be prepared for failure and know how to recover from it

The route you pick depends on a number of factors which can be influenced by the following:

• Obstacles such as trees or rocks
• The presence of existing tracks
• Ruts
• Tricky 'no go' areas (such as slippery or difficult ground conditions)

The rule of thumb when climbing hills is to attack the slope using a route which minimises any side angles where possible. If you start to slide sideways you'll have very little control over your vehicle, but sliding forwards or backwards can be controlled.

Techniques For Climbing Steep Hill - Manual Transmission Vehicles

1. Recce the route on foot - ensure it's safe to climb, and consider the consequences if you fail half way up. The less grip there is available, the shallower the angle you'll be able to tackle.
2. Once you're back in the car, hold the car stationary on the foot brake. This acts on all four wheels, and has power assistance, unlike the handbrake which tends to act on the rear wheels only.
3. Select a suitable gear for the surface - if the surface is slippery, higher gears provide less torque and thus more traction in slippery conditions. If you're on a high grip or uneven surface a low gear may be a more sensible choice as it will provide maximum control at low speeds
4. Set the throttle - don't rev the engine, but select engine revs which allow the engine to exploit the power band (3000 rpm is a good guide)
5. Progressively release the clutch and do a test run - attempt to climb a few meters of the hill to determine how slippery it is. If you're getting a lot of wheelspin then you'll need a fair amount of momentum to complete the climb. If it's too slippery, perhaps now is the time to find an alternative route.
6. If there is sufficient grip, attempt the climb using a run on the flat is necessary. Be prepared to recover from failure.

FALLING TO CLIMB

If you've failed to make it to the top, the chances are it's either because of one of the following:

• Lack of grip - if there isn't enough friction available between the tyre and the ground surface to get you to the top, you're going to need more momentum. More speed, however means more danger so make sure you're confident about your decision.
• Lack of momentum - if you fail to get to to the top due to a lack of momentum, you're likely to stall or simply run out of steam and may even stall the engine. If you do stall, don't panic and hit the clutch, but follow the guide to recovery shown below.

RECOVERING FROM A FAILED HILL CLIMB DUE TO LACK OF TRACTION OR MOMENTUM  (MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING):

1. Press and hold the brake pedal firmly
2. Look behind you and make sure the coast is clear
3. Engage reverse gear
4. Release the clutch to the point of bite
5. Swiftly but smoothly take your foot off the brake, fully release the clutch, and allow engine braking to slow your descent (avoid the brakes)
6. Follow the line which minimises any side slopes - keep the vehicle straight
7. Determine whether it's safe to have another attempt
8. Attempt the climb with more speed, using a run up if necessary

If the slope if so slippery that the wheels are locking due to engine braking - you may need to gently apply some throttle to regain traction, then release the throttle gently to re-establish braking.

RECOVERING FROM A FAILED HILL CLIMB DUE TO ENGINE STALL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION):

1. Hold the vehicle using the foot brake
2. Check to see if anyone noticed - this could be embarrassing!
3. Clutch in and select reverse gear (engine is still off at this point)
4. Release clutch and gently release the foot brake
5. Now the car will be held on the slope purely by transmission, and may start to move backwards if the slope is very steep
6. Check behind you then restart the engine while in gear (this will ensure engine braking operates from the moment you start to move)
7. Avoid using the brakes and reverse down the hill using engine braking for another attempt.

RECOVERING FROM A STALL IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:

It's unlikely that you'll stall an auto, but it can happen. If this does occur, hold the foot brake firmly and restart the engine (you'll probably need to select N or P first). Now follow the stages shown below.

Recovery due to lack of traction or insufficient traction or momentum in an automatic vehicle:

1. Press and hold the brake pedal firmly
2. Look behind you and make sure the coast is clear
3. Engage reverse gear
4. Smoothly take your foot off the brake and allow engine braking to slow your descent
5. Follow the line which minimises any side slopes - keep the vehicle straight and avoid the brakes
6. Determine whether it's safe to have another attempt
7. Attempt the climb with more speed, using a run up if necessary

RECOVERING FROM A SIDEWAYS SLIDE

If you have no choice but to ascend the hill using a side angle, drive as slowly as possible using a light throttle and a high gear to reduce the chances of spinning wheels or a slide. Sometimes a slide is unavoidable and there will be a temporary loss of control. 

To recover from this situation, you need to heavy end first to allow gravity to help, rather than hinder:

1. Do not hit the brakes or press the clutch - this may be your first instinct but will only lock the wheels or disengage the drive
2. Steer down the slope to get the heavier front of the car pointing down slope
3. If the front refuses to come round, try using some gentle throttle to assist the turn
4. One the car is pointing downhill, ensure you are off the gas and allow engine braking to slow the descent

JKR 4x4 Basic Driving Course

It has been a great days for 9 staffs of Jabatan Kerja Raya, Cawangan Aset Bersepadu when they have completed a 3D2N 4x4 Basic Training handled by Blackwind Adventure Team.

Within this 3D2N they have completed all the syllabus on how to drive a 4x4. Taught theoretically from day one, they have learned how the 4x4 system works and the important components of 4x4 vehicles including the techniques on driving 4x4 in many terrain conditions. It is essential for them to know better about the vehicle before they can start driving it. "When you know better you will drive better". The most vital is they will know how to drive safely and how to avoid accident during driving.

Once they have taught how to drive 4x4, now this is the time to put their knowledge into action. Learning how to drive 4x4 in various type of terrains will make they more careful and alert along the driving path to ensure their safety. Guided by the experience driver as their co-pilot, they have learned step-by-step of driving 4x4 in off-road conditions. Driving uphill, down hill, muddy, river crossing and bridge crossing are some of the off-road driving obstacles they have gone through. Driving with caution and knowledge has build confidence in their driving. They have enjoyed and felt safe when driving with knowledge and for few of the the participants it is their first experience driving a 4x4 in off-road condition and they have completed the driving successfully with zero accident.

Additionally, with in this course they also been introduced and taught how to used many types of recovery tools ussually used during off-road session. It is important to bring along the recovery tools equipment during off-road session and know how to use them, it is also important that they handle the tools safely.

On overall, the participants have completed the course with success and they have brought back home the knowledges and experiences and applied them in their day-to-day job.

4x4 Basic Driving Course - TIPS & KITS

Blackwind Adventure Team has organised another Basic 4x4 Driving Course.

The participants have been taught the importants principle and rules of "TIPS & KITS" to incalculate the safe driving not only for 4x4 driving but for all type of vehicles. It is very important to learn the rules and the principles for
safe driving.

When driving 4x4 especially in off-road condition, it is important and infact became the principles of every 4x4 drivers to emphasis "SAFETY FIRST". Is not how fast we can reach our destination but how to reach our destination safe and steady. When going off-road the drivers and their vehicles must be prepared with "tools and kits" for the worst scenario. Everything have to be take into consideration and the preparation is vital.



Why every off-roader need to make modification to their 4x4, of course, so that their 4x4 can overcome every obstacle they will face. Expected the unexpected then what should they do...make preparation.

There were a few tips we gave to the participants. In order to understand the principles better, they have to drive the 4x4 and feel the driving, understand the vehicles and the route, don't assume and many more...with the hope that they have learned all the knowledges, tips and techniques and apply what they have learned into their daily life and works.