BFGoodrich Guide: Off-Road 4x4 Tyre Tips!

OFF-ROAD DRIVING IN GENERAL

If you are driving a 4x4, the safety, reliability, and performance of your 4x4 tyres are essential. BFGoodrich 4x4 tyres have achieved over 20 SCORE Baja 1000 victories and 70 SCORE Desert Race titles in 4x4.

Off-road driving can be enjoyable, especially if it is a passion, but it can also be hazardous due to vast remote areas and the weather conditions in some regions.

Off-road driving is a completely different type of driving, and at BFGoodrich we recommend becoming familiar with basic 4x4 driving techniques or taking lessons at a driving school to avoid finding yourself in a difficult situation.

DRIVING ON SAND

Driving on sand over long distances can be dangerous for careless or inexperienced drivers. But if you manage it, you will encounter landscapes that ordinary drivers will never see.

To drive on sand, it is essential to maintain momentum so that your tyres stay on the surface rather than sinking in. On soft sand, balance acceleration and momentum to prevent your tyres from digging in.

Avoid sudden, sharp movements or abrupt turns, as the vehicle will not respond. You would effectively be understeering, similar to driving on a wet road.

A four-wheel drive vehicle tends to tip due to its high centre of gravity, and tyres can sink suddenly into the sand, which may cause the vehicle to roll. It is recommended to take wide arcs before reaching a turn or obstacle. Creating new tracks requires more power to avoid getting stuck.

At BFGoodrich, we recommend carrying a tyre pressure gauge and reducing your tyre pressure by 0.5 bar at a time until you reach the optimal footprint on the sand. Do not lower tyre pressure below 1.5 bar. Lowering tyre pressure increases the tyre’s contact area with the sand and improves vehicle traction.

If you do not have an air compressor, we recommend driving very slowly and over short distances to prevent your tyres from overheating. At 1.5 bar, speed should not exceed 20 km/h.

In summary, for driving on sand:

Momentum is your best friend on sand
Use a suitable gauge to check tyre pressure
Deflate your tyres by 0.5 bar at a time to increase the tyre footprint until optimal traction is achieved
Accelerate, steer, and brake smoothly
If your wheels start to slip, ease off the accelerator slightly to let the tyres regain traction
Do not follow other vehicles too closely

CLIMBING HILLS AND STEEP TERRAIN

Climbing hills and steep terrain is one of the most exciting yet potentially dangerous activities you can do with your 4x4. It is thrilling because it is adventurous and gives you a razor-edge experience, but it is also risky, as you could lose control of your vehicle and see it slide down the slope.

Climbing the hill: Before starting the engine and attempting the climb, take the opportunity to get out of your vehicle and inspect the track in advance to ensure there are no obstacles and that an exit exists at the top. Unexpected cliffs can be very dangerous. Use an appropriate gear: if the gear is too low, your tyres will slip; if too high, you will lose power. We recommend starting in 2nd gear, low range, and taking a small run-up. Measure your momentum to climb the slope at a walking pace. Never change gear or direction once you are committed to a hill, and be prepared for limited visibility as you may only see the sky on a steep climb. Checking the route in advance is essential to avoid any surprises.

Tips for climbing hills and steep terrain:

Approach the hill straight on so weight is evenly distributed, ensuring equal traction on all four tyres.

Use an appropriate gear that allows the vehicle to move steadily up the slope. Too low, and the tyres will slip; too high, and you won’t have enough power.

Always be prepared for the possibility of not making it to the top and have a backup plan.

If you fail on the first attempt, do not worry. This happens to both novice and experienced drivers. Knowing how to descend safely is crucial.

Hazards to avoid if you fail to climb:
If you lose control while reversing down a steep slope, your first instinct may be to press the clutch to prevent stalling. Do not. Pressing the clutch removes front-wheel traction and allows gravity to accelerate the vehicle backward.

Once backward motion starts and you have not pressed the clutch, your next instinct may be to brake. On a steep slope, this will not help. The vehicle’s momentum will cause it to slide, and without wheel rotation, you lose steering control.

Manual transmission stall recovery technique:

Do not touch the clutch.
While the engine stalls, gently press the brake.
Engage the handbrake. You now have three mechanical elements preventing rollback: a gear engaged, brake pedal pressed, and handbrake engaged.
If someone can guide you from outside, use them, but do not exit the vehicle.
Slowly place your foot back on the clutch.
Engage reverse gear in low range.
Slowly release the clutch.
Keep your foot on the brake and gradually release the handbrake.
Slowly lift your foot off the brake pedal.
With reverse engaged and the engine stopped, you should remain stationary.
Restart the engine with your foot off the clutch to allow the vehicle’s braking system to engage for a controlled descent.

Descend carefully, avoiding accelerator or brake use unless necessary. On steep slopes, gentle braking may be required, but be cautious as locking the wheels can cause sliding. Once at the bottom, attempt another climb using a different approach, route, tyre pressure, or by moving equipment on foot.

Automatic transmission stall recovery technique:

Put your foot on the brake
Engage the handbrake.
If the engine stalled, place the gear lever in Park. You now have three mechanical elements preventing motion: gearbox in Park, brake pedal pressed, and handbrake engaged.
If someone can guide you from outside, use them, but do not exit the vehicle.
Restart the engine if stalled.
Shift to Neutral.E
Engage low range.
Shift into reverse.
While pressing the brake, carefully release the handbrake.
Slowly lift your foot from the brake to begin a controlled descent.

You should now be descending, but try not to press the accelerator or brake. If the slope is steep, you may need to brake gently, but this is risky because it could lock the wheels and cause slipping. Once you reach the bottom, try again using a different approach. If it did not work the first time, it is unlikely to work the second, so consider taking a different route, adjusting your tyre pressure, or carrying equipment on foot.

Tyre pressure for climbing : To climb hills, you will need as much traction as possible, which may require lowering the tyre pressure before starting. There is no single recommended pressure because different terrains require different pressures. Keep in mind that your tyre could puncture mid-ascent, so be cautious when deflating.

Descending steep slopes : Descending a steep slope in a 4x4 is generally easier than climbing it. You have better visibility than on the ascent, and gravity assists. However, gravity can also be hazardous on very steep slopes. Maintaining traction is just as important as when climbing to ensure a safe descent.

Our tips for descending steep slopes in a vehicle :

Check the track on foot before driving. If you cannot walk the route, it is very likely you cannot drive it safely.
If you are in your vehicle and lose control or the slope becomes too steep, you will need a backup plan. Remember that this may require climbing back up, so choose your descent carefully.
Like on the ascent, maximise traction. No single tyre pressure is optimal, as different terrains require different pressures, so reduce your tyres cautiously.
Choose the best path for your vehicle; existing tracks are usually a good start.
Use low range to maintain control.
Use first gear. Combining low range and first gear helps the vehicle’s braking system control your descent.

I am not able to descend safely, what should I do ? If you have decided it is no longer safe to continue descending, you will need to stop safely and reverse. Assuming you have taken the proper precautions and used the recommended technique, you should not be moving too fast.

Recovery after a steep descent :

Apply the brake gently and smoothly. Do not slam the brakes, as this could lock the wheels and cause loss of control.
Once stopped, engage the handbrake and shift your vehicle into reverse.
Reverse along the same path.

DRIVING ACROSS STEEP SLOPES OR HILLS

All experts will tell you, this is the most challenging exercise in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Our first recommendation is very simple: avoid these situations at all costs. However, if you decide to drive across a steep slope or hill, do so as slowly as possible.

Tyre pressure : Make sure your tyres are properly inflated (inflate them to road pressure); if they are not, they may come off the rim.
Engage first gear in low range without differential lock.
Drive as slowly as possible across the slope and if you feel your vehicle starting to slide, turn your steering wheel immediately in the direction of the slope.

Caution : Remember that your 4x4 has a high centre of gravity. Driving across steep slopes greatly increases your chances of losing traction. If traction is lost, your vehicle may slide sideways and could tip over… Therefore, avoid driving across slopes whenever possible.

DRIVING IN MUD AND RUTS

Ah, mud, wonderful mud! Mastering driving in mud is the key to having fun with your 4x4. However, if you get stuck, both you and your vehicle will get messy!

It is essential to have tyres suited for mud in this situation, as the goal is for the full weight of your vehicle to push the tyres through the mud layer to try to reach the firmer ground underneath.

Tyre pressure : There is no single optimal tyre pressure for this, as every situation and terrain requires a different pressure. But remember that if the pressure is too low, the vehicle’s weight will be spread too widely, reducing traction. If the pressure is too high, you will not achieve the grip needed to get through the muddy area. As a general rule, do not go below 1.5 bar and do not exceed 20 km/h.

Our tips for driving in mud :

Ensure your vehicle is equipped with a winch in case you get stuck.
Check your route first and assess the depth of the mud. Ruts deeper than your vehicle’s axle clearance will trap you.
Approach the mud in 4x4 and low range. Remember to build some momentum and be prepared to decelerate suddenly when encountering water and mud.
Maintain a steady pace throughout the route and, where possible, stay on the highest points of the track.
If you get stuck, move the vehicle by gently alternating first gear and reverse, or let the wheels slip slightly to clean the tyre tread and regain traction.
When in doubt, reverse before it’s too late.

CLIMBING ROCKS, LOGS, DITCHES AND BUMPS

The modifications you have made, or are planning to make, to your vehicle are very important for driving on this type of terrain. Good ground clearance allows rocks, logs and ditches to pass beneath your vehicle without damaging fragile components underneath. Good suspension, meanwhile, keeps your tyres in contact with the ground.

Our tips for driving over rocks, logs and ditches :

Approach obstacles at an angle so that only one tyre engages, leaving the other three tyres on solid ground for traction.
To protect fragile components under your vehicle, it is best to place one tyre on the obstacle first, then move over it slowly.

Note : If the obstacle is too large, diagonally opposite wheels of your vehicle may lift off the ground, which will reduce traction.

CROSSING A WATER COURSE

If you are afraid of water, we suggest you avoid the crossing, as nine times out of ten, you will get wet.

Most 4x4 vehicles can cross watercourses, some being able to go deeper than others with the installation of snorkels, but this depends on the water you are crossing, as well as the current and flow.

Never drive fast in water. Maintaining a steady speed creates a slight bow wave at the front of your vehicle, which will be key to your success.

Once you have crossed the watercourse, remember to drive a short distance with your foot lightly on the brake pedal to restore braking efficiency.