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Off-Roading for Beginners: Things You Should Know

Published on August 10, 2020

Believe it or not, getting behind the wheel of an off-road vehicle is an actual nightmare. Here are our tips about off-roading for beginners: things you should know.

The Principles of The Off-roading Guide

If you drive an off-road car, you need reliable and performing the heavy-duty 4×4 tires. Off-road driving can be fun, but can also be dangerous in rough terrain and less than ideal weather. That’s why we come up with the guide about off-roading for beginners: things you should know.

Figure 1. Off-Roading for Beginners: Things You Should Know

Off-road driving differs from all others. That’s why we recommend that you should learn the basic techniques of all-wheel drive or contact a school specialized in 4×4 driving, to avoid finding yourself stuck in risky situations.

Sand Driving Guide

Driving long distances on sand can be tricky for those who are unprepared or inexperienced. If instead of doing in the right way, it is a satisfying experience that allows you to reach places with a breathtaking view.

Figure 2. Sand Driving

The secret of sand driving is maintaining a constant speed to make the tires roll on the sand surface instead of sinking. On the most beautiful sand, it is essential to find the right balance between speed and acceleration to avoid falling.

In the event of sudden acceleration, the wheel’s rapid rotation can move the sand and dig a hole. You should avoid violent or sudden movements, and extreme steering as the vehicle may become unresponsive. Conversely, you may skid like on a wet road.

We recommend that you take a good pressure gauge and reduce the tire pressure by about 0.3 bar (5psi) from time to time until you reach the sand’s optimal footprint.

Otherwise, we do not recommend reducing the pressure below 1.4 bar (20psi). By lowering the tire pressure, you increase the tire’s footprint on the sand, which is the contact area between the vehicle and the ground.

In addition, to have the best sand driving experience, you need to buy your car a set of dedicated sand tires, which you can check at Talkcarswell.com and choose some of the best tires for your trip.

Sand driving tips:

Maintaining a constant speed is essential on the sand
Use a good pressure gauge, don’t change the pressure roughly
Deflate the tires 0.3 bar (5psi) at a time to increase the tire’s footprint on the sand to optimal traction
Be gentle when speeding up, steering and braking
If the wheels spin, decrease the pressure on the accelerator to allow the tires to slow down and regain traction.
Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Driving on Hills and Steep Ground

Driving uphill and on steep terrain is one of the most dangerous activities to do with an off-roading vehicle. Fascinating because it offers adventures and adrenaline rushes, but also dangerous because it exposes you to a high risk of rolling.

Figure 3. Driving on Hills and Steep Ground

Driving tips uphill and on steep terrain:

Drive straight to the top so that the vehicle’s weight is evenly distributed, and the tires have equal traction.
Use the highest gear the vehicle can handle when driving uphill. If the speed is too low, the wheels will spin, while if it is too high, you will not have enough power.
Always prepare an escape plan in case of failure.

What to do if you can’t complete the climb? Don’t worry if you cannot climb on the first try. It happens to everyone, from beginners to experienced drivers. However, if you don’t make it to the top, it’s essential to know how to descend safely. It doesn’t seem complicated, but it can prove to be an insidious undertaking.

Crossing Steep Roads

According to experts, this is by far the most challenging off-road driving experience. Our first recommendation is straightforward, which is to avoid it at all costs. However, if you cross a very steep road, try to proceed as slowly as possible.

Figure 4. Crossing Steep Roads

Tire pressure – Ensure the tires are well inflated (pressure values for driving on the road). If they are not, they risk beading from the rim
Engage the first with reduced gears without differential lock
Cross the sloping road at minimum speed. And if you feel the vehicle skid, immediately steer in the climb’s direction.

Attention: Do you remember that your off-roading vehicle has a center of gravity? Driving perpendicular to the rise significantly increases the chances of losing traction. If you lose traction, you will slide sideways, and it may tip over. So avoid driving perpendicular to a hill.

Driving on Muddy and Astounded Soils

If you take it right, you’ll have more fun behind the wheel of your off-roading vehicle. But take it the wrong way, and you’ll find yourself muddy up to your neck.

Figure 5. Driving on Muddy and Astounded Soils

Remember, using the right mud tires is essential in this circumstance. The idea is to use the vehicle’s weight to push the wheels through the mud until they grip the solid ground below.

There is no optimal pressure because different terrains require different strains. However, remember that if the pressure is too low, the vehicle’s weight will disperse more at the expense of traction.

But if the pressure is too high, you won’t get the grip you need to get out of the mud. It is advisable not to go below 1.4 bar (20psi) and not to exceed 20 km/h of speed.

Driving tips on mud:

Make sure you have a winch available in case your vehicle gets stuck
Before leaving, examine the road and check the depth of the dirt. If the ruts are more profound than the space under the axles, the vehicle will lock up.
Tackle mud in 4WD mode and low gear, gaining enough speed to prepare for sudden deceleration when you come into contact with water and mud
Maintain a constant speed and, if possible, stay on the shallowest points of the ground
If you get stuck, drive the vehicle forwards and backward, alternating between first and reverse, or spin the wheels free to clear mud from the treads and regain traction.
If in doubt, back off and get out of the mud before it’s too late.

How to overcome rocks and other obstacles?

This activity is crawling and must be approached with extreme calm. When trying to overcome obstacles such as rocks or logs, you must use a low gear and four-wheel-drive (Low mode).

It is letting the vehicle advance by applying the minimum pressure on the accelerator. It is impossible to climb abruptly on a rock. Therefore, it is necessary to perform some maneuvers to reach the highest point of the foundation and slowly slide over it.

Final Words

Education and common sense dictate that you always leave the path in the best condition. Observing the signs and staying on the track and any recreational areas is a good idea.

Taking the utmost care to protect the beauty and tranquillity of the area. And if the ground looks very fragile, it is okay to take another path.

That is all our advice about off-roading for beginners: things you should know. Have any questions, please comment on it below!

How to Pick a Tuner for Your Vehicle

Published on January 4, 2020

Cars

Not every car modifier is a tuner. Finding a tuner is a rather complicated task, as it is a highly specialized process. You might know a person that has years of experience in modifying vehicles, but a tuner is a person that does something else entirely.

A tuner is a person that can do certain changes to your vehicle (car, truck, or SUV) by working closely with the computer part. By this, we can safely say that a tuner is a person that doesn’t modify a car’s appearance, but rather its performances. And this is why tuning is such a specialized job role.

This article will help shed some light on how to recognize a good tuner. This article isn’t a definitive guide, but it can certainly help you in the process. It will simply help you and point you into a good direction on how to spot a professional and an amateur.

But with all that said, tuning is something that is widely done in today’s time. The technology certainly makes that a possibility, and tuners usually come with a good reputation.

So, with all that said, let’s find out how to pick a tuner for your vehicle.

1. Take Your Vehicle to the Mechanic First

Before you even consider tuning your vehicle, you should take it to a mechanic and run some inspections first. Mechanics are indispensable to our society, as every vehicle requires taking care of once in a while. It is also recommended that you inspect your vehicle before a trip, regardless of when the last inspection was.

So, regardless of if you’re traveling or simply looking to tuning your car, the first step is a stop by the mechanic. This will not only determine if the vehicle is in good condition, but it will also discover any weak links that might interfere later with the process. Since tuning involves pushing your vehicle to the maximum, certain parts are prone to breaking down if not properly inspected.

However, not every car performance modification requires a visit to the mechanic. A new engine, for example, needs tuning when starting it for the first time. In these cases, a professional tuner will know what to do, and the mechanic isn’t necessary.

But, it’s best advised that you talk to your tuner before doing anything, as he is the person that knows the ins and outs of his job.

2. Do Your Homework

It’s safe to say that educating yourself on the subject is the best course of action when picking a tuner to run the process of upgrading the performances of your car.

Education yourself is nothing short of your responsibility, and the World Wide Web offers endless books and guides on how tuning works.

Of course, not everything will be of use, since this isn’t something that you will be making a living off. And of course, we’ve singled out the most important things to know in regards to tuning, which are:

How to read a dyno chart
What is air to fuel ratios
What constitutes a correction factor

These are only but three of the most important things that you should know in regards to the process, according to RaceMe.

3. Be Aware of the Risks

If you’re a total newbie and want to tune your car, you should be aware of the risks you’re getting involved in.

Since tuning usually is done on the engine, a general rule of thumb is that the process is prone to failing. We mentioned earlier that people in the industry usually have a good reputation, and most of them are solid tuners. However, there is absolutely nothing that can guarantee you that the process will go smoothly, due to the variety of safety factors.

For starters, the problem could be down to the parts you’re getting for the job. These parts might not work accordingly with your engine or vehicle, and there is a very high chance that the process will fail.

If this is the case, then the engine is prone to breaking down, and we all know that an engine isn’t something cheap. As usually tuning involves buying a whole new engine for your vehicle, the risks are very high of you ending up wasting your money.

And like we mentioned, there is more than one risk involved. Other risks could be down to the person tuning and he having no idea what he’s doing.

Because of these risks, and many more, the industry usually agrees that the person doing the performance-boosting isn’t to blame. That is why you will be given a waiver to sign reliving the tuner of any liabilities if a problem occurs.

This is why you, again, need to talk to a professional before handing him the keys to your car.

4. Make Sure They Have a Physical Location

Yet another very important thing to consider is whether or not the tuner in question has a physical location or not. As you can imagine, owning a shop is beneficial for multiple reasons.

First, it means that the person in question does this for a living, meaning that he is somewhat serious and somewhat professional. Secondly, it means that you can contact him and find him. This means that this isn’t some newbie that does it for a fun, but rather professionally. A physical location means that he also has examples of previous gigs, so inquiring about past projects is rather easy.

The benefits are truly many when it comes to this. Furthermore, if he is a professional then he might not have time to pick up your calls. This is an excellent indicator as to the more people choosing to employ him for performance boosting, the more credible the person is. And if he is as busy as he seems, you can simply choose to visit him first hand and discuss matters at hand.

Another excellent way to find a tuner for your vehicle is to ask friends, family, and associates if they know one. If one of them happens to have previously tuned a vehicle and is satisfied, then the person will most definitely mention the tuner to you.

Caring for your Car: 5 Simple tips for Taking care of your Car

Published on August 29, 2019August 29, 2019

Cars

It’s no big secret that a lot of us want to have a car. A car, after all, is one of the most significant investments you’ll make in life. Since it’s second to getting a house of your own, taking care of your car should also be a priority.

People use cars and other vehicles to get around and work. If a car doesn’t function properly, it can become a hazard for the driver, the people inside the vehicle, and to those who are nearby

Besides, your car is a reflection of you and your personality. If a vehicle is well-maintained, it may say to others that the owner is responsible and trustworthy. Indeed, having a car is a blessing and requires the owner to be responsible in handling and taking care of it. Here are some tips to help you maintain your vehicle:

Don’t ever go cheap when it comes to oil

A lot of the most important things that make your car run are fluids. Fluids such as oil, brake fluid, coolants, and even your windshield wiper fluids all have essential functions in your car. It’s always advisable to check your fluid levels whenever you go out on a long trip. Car oil, in particular, helps the engine of your car to function properly.

Your engine will have lots of moving parts which work together and cause friction. Friction produces heat, which is never a good thing for any moving parts in your engine. The car oil is the one responsible for absorbing heat and lubricating these moving parts. For used cars, you need to change your oil once every three months or once every 3,000 miles.

Don’t leave it out in the open

How would you feel if you were left out in the blazing sun or the unforgiving cold? Don’t ever leave your cars out in the open as they would also “feel” the same way. If possible, park your car in a shady area away from fruit-bearing trees or always park it in your garage.

Exposure to extreme heat can cause a lot of problems for your car. For one, the liquids inside your battery can evaporate and render it useless. Heat also causes gas to evaporate faster, causing you to refuel a lot more than usual. Tires also aren’t safe from the heat as the heat can dry them out. If your tires aren’t properly inflated, it may cause a blowout.

The cold also doesn’t show any mercy to most vehicles. Increasingly cold temperatures can draw away the voltage from your car battery, making your car difficult to start. Fluids in your vehicle also begin to freeze at specific temperatures.

Go for a Carwash

Most people often leave don’t even bother washing their cars for weeks or even months. When you don’t wash your car, a lot of debris and other foreign materials can get into your engine and can mess up your car. Your car won’t also look good if there’s a lot of dirt laying on it. Road salts can also form when you’re not washing your car regularly.

Road Salts are used to altering the freezing point of water and prevents the roads from freezing. During the summer, these salts are often left behind on the road and can accumulate in the undercarriage. Salts can accelerate rusting and can damage important parts underneath your car.

Wash your car properly to avoid any problems like the one mentioned above. If you don’t have the time or the equipment to do so, you can go to a professional car wash services so they can take care of your vehicle. It’s advisable that you wash your car once a week or at least three times a month.

Maintenance Checks

Once in a while, your car will have occasional hiccups. If that happens, then it’s best to take it to a mechanic or a service center like Lemon Squad. These professionals can provide you a car inspection checklist to look for any more potential problems.

Think of these maintenance checks as part of your investment in your car. For brand new cars, get a maintenance check for the first few thousand miles. For used vehicles, you might have to do more inspections than usual. Remember, the older the car, the more care it requires

Drive Carefully!

Being a careful driver means that you’re a responsible driver. Believe it or not, following road rules can actually benefit you and your car. Drive safely and avoid speeding. Speeding is responsible for 26% of car fatalities.

Most people also think that speeding on bumps won’t do any damage to your car. Your suspension will suffer if you insist on speeding on-road speed bumps. Even if you do still manage to be safe while speeding, you might get citation ticket from an officer which can cost you money.

Takeaway

Your car is one of the most valuable possessions you’ll have in your life. It’s only proper that you take care of it as you’ll use it for a lot of purposes. Regularly maintaining your car improves its lifespan and removes any potential hazards that can cause accidents.

Simple activities such as changing the oil, washing your car, or even driving carefully can help in taking care of your vehicle. Always drive safely and follow the rules when driving.

Things you need to know when exporting your vehicle

Published on June 9, 2019

Cars

There are some situations in which a person requires to ship their car somewhere outside of the country in which they live. In order to do this safely, there are some things that you need to know. Although the process itself is not really complicated, there are a couple of things that could go wrong if you are not careful enough in your decision making.
Today’s article is focused on everything that you need to know about exporting your vehicle, so if you want to learn more, feel free to continue reading until the end. Without further ado, let’s dive into the content.

Finding a reliable car exportation company

One of the most important things in the entire car transportation process is finding a reliable vehicle exporting company. In order to do so, you need to spend some time researching both your local and international companies, then finally coming up with a decision on what you’re going to choose.
The importance of choosing a professional exportation company is really great, and we’re here to explain why. By choosing a company that has been around for a long time and has built up a lot of good reputation, you are basically making sure that your vehicle falls into safe hands, and you probably won’t have to worry at all about anything going wrong in the process of transportation. Feel free to view more here.

However, if you decide to go with a newer company that isn’t really known all that much, some things might get messy. Now, we’re definitely not bashing newer companies that want to make their way up to the top, we’re just saying that the chances of something being miscalculated or “going wrong” are bigger if you choose a company that’s not as experienced and professional. However, in some cases, newer companies might do well and carry out the process without any issues.

Taking care of all paperwork and documentation

One of the most frustrating things is to get your car returned to sender due to some forgotten paperwork or something of that nature. Imagine paying for a service that is supposed to take your vehicle at the other end of the country, and after everything goes completely smooth, your car gets returned due to an issue with the documentation.

In order to avoid these kinds of frustrations, always make sure that you filled all of the paperwork and documentation properly. Please note that some countries require slightly different forms that need to be filled before you are able to export your vehicle, so make sure that you get informed as much as you can. Most professional and reliable car exporting companies will take care of your paperwork and always inform you if you are missing out on something, so that’s just one more reason to find a company in which the employees know what they’re doing.
After all of this is done, you’ll simply need to remain patient and wait for the entire process to be carried out. If everything goes the way it should, your car will be safely transported.

Jeep M-175 five Quarter – the concept that takes the breath away

Published on April 11, 2019April 11, 2019

Cars

This particular until is just available in the form of a concept and an idea. It would be just one of the six brand new concepts that this company is going to present during the latest, i.e. 53rd, Moab Easter Safari event that takes place from the 13th to the 21st April. According to the fans and reviews, this one would be maybe the most popular during the show.

The concept

We need to say that the manufacturer has an inspiration in 1986 Gladiator when he worked on and prepared this concept. We need to point out that 1986 Gladiator has been a truck produced for the military purposes of the USA.

The design

The concept shows that the manufacturer would go for the front end that would be made from carbon-fiber. Aluminum would be used for the bed. Speaking of the bed, it would be 6 feet long and it would be custom-made with the addition of wood slats and waterjet-cut panels. When the exterior design is in question, we should also add that the manufacturer has decided to go for a convertible roof that would be 3.5 inches lower. The headlights would run on the latest HID technology while the taillights would use LED technology. There would also be auxiliary lights using LED technology as well. The tires that are used are the ones that are of 40 inches and the deadlock of the wheels is of 20 inches.

Strength

In order to be more protected and stronger, the manufacturer has decided to present the concept with rock rails and the bumpers that are made from steel. We should also point out that a lot of attention has been paid to the strength of the unit since it would have the reinforced frame and the suspension system would be a heavy-duty link/coil one.

Engine

It is very early to even discuss it, but it is expected that the engine that would be strong enough to keep this unit running is a 6.2-liter engine, and a Hellcat V8 one. This one would have the capacity of providing 700 horsepower.

1989 Land Rover DefenderNeo D110 Sold for $145,000

Published on February 22, 2019

Entertainment/Lux Life

The 1989 Land Rover Defender restomod is a very popular four-wheel drive off-road vehicle. It’s well-liked in many countries, especially in the United States where the Neo D110 restomod model was sold for an incredible $145,000.

The restomod is the newest phenomenon where the new cards combine old and new technology to create the best of both worlds. Thus, the restomod vehicle comes with classic styling with modern comfort, reliability, and performance.

The 1989 Land Rover Defender Neo D110 restomod was built by Arkonik, the world’s leading Land Rover Defender specialists and dealer. It comes in Santorini Black body color and it features KBX wing top vents, twin cat LED headlights, an OEM hood, grille painted in Zambezi silver, and black 18-inch Kahn Defend 1983 alloys shod with BFGoodrich T/A KO2 tires. Moreover, this Neo D110 restomod comes with a Raptor-coated steering and front differential guard, as well as, LED taillights and a Defender badge. It features the Arkonik’s logo on the cover of the tailgate-mounted spare wheel.

The interior of the 1989 Land Rover Defender Neo D110 restomod is as exceptional as the exterior. Inside this vehicle, you will find black leather trim with diamond quilting read and bucket seat.
Likewise, there is a matching leather on the door cards and center console. Hence, the lucky driver of the 1989 Land Rover Defender Neo D110 restomod will get a chance to touch a 15-inch wood-rimmed steering wheel and alloy gear knobs. The alloy was also used for the inner door handles and there are also interior highlights which come with Ice White LED lighting package, black suede headlining, lock boxes with a 12V power outlet and USB port, two locks and folding seats in the load area, and a Pioneer premium sound system with reversing camera display. This four-wheel drive off-road vehicle also has a secondary twin circuit battery with isolator switch, air conditioning, and a sunroof. Last but not least, it comes with a 3.5-liter V8 gasoline engine.

This is definitely an outstanding vehicle but is it so outstanding to pay $145,000, excluding delivery, for restored1989 Defender 110 station wagon, we will leave it to you to decide.