You can escape every day life and explore new areas with your friends and family on a four wheel drive adventure, but the right preparation is essential to a safe and enjoyable trip.

• Drive vehicles only on formed roads and vehicle tracks that are open to the public
• Stay off tracks that are too wet, or have been recently graded
• Avoid wheel spin and churning up the track surface
• Remove fallen trees or limbs from roads; don’t create new tracks by driving around them
• Cross rivers and streams only where river crossings are clearly marked. Check depths and drive slowly
• Use a tree protector if winching is required and use wheel chains as a last resort

The best way to enjoy four wheel driving is by joining one of the many four wheel driving clubs in Victoria. Contact Four Wheel Drive Victoria for more information.

Here are some brief pointers to help you across dirt tracks:

Kit

• Tyre repair kit
• Tyres suitable for 4WD conditions

Tips: Driving

• Reduce speed to match tyre pressure
• Expect the unexpected
• Engage 4WD on part-time systems, and stability control for those cars that have it
• Use a slightly lower gear than normal
• Headlights on for visibility
• Don’t swerve for animals; slow down
• Slow down for oncoming vehicles, especially those with dust clouds
• When following another vehicle keep well back to avoid dust
• Expect vehicles anywhere on the road
• Keep away from loose, gravelly parts of the road, follow defined wheel tracks

Here are some brief pointers to help you across sand tracks:

Kit

• Take a shovel and flat plate so the jack doesn’t sink in, plus a compressor and tyre pressure gauge
• Full tank of fuel as consumption is high

Prep

• Remove weight from the vehicle

Driving

• Use steady momentum, but not aggressive driving
• High range for higher speed, low range for tight tracks
• Keep the speed down even when it’s flat
• Disable stability control, engage 4WD. Cross-axle lockers aren’t often useful
• If the wheels spin, immediately stop and back out. Don’t spin your vehicle’s wheels into a hole
• Lights on for visibility
• Accelerate gently, brake by just coming off the accelerator