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170 STARTING AND OPERATING
AIRING DOWN FOR OFF-ROAD DRIVING
Running lower tire pressure off-road can improve
your ride comfort and vehicle traction. Reducing
the tire air pressure allows the tire to bulge slightly,
improving its surface area for better flotation and
ability to mold or form to the ground contour.
Different terrain, tires, and vehicles require
different tire pressure. Hard surfaces like rock and
heavier vehicles require higher pressures than
softer surfaces such as sand and lighter vehicles.
You will need to experiment to determine what is
right for your situation. It is easier and faster to let
air out than it is to replace it. Start high and lower
it as required. Remember you must return the tires
to normal air pressure before driving on road or at
highway conditions. Be sure you have a way to
return the tires to their normal on road air
pressure.
VEHICLE RECOVERY
If you drive off-road, you may encounter a situation
where you will need to recover your vehicle. Vehicle
recovery should always be given consideration before
attempting a questionable obstacle. You should never
go off-road driving without the ability to recover your
vehicle from a situation. Having another vehicle with
you usually works best for most situations. The first
thing to do is assess the situation. Why are you stuck?
Are you hung up on something? Would it be easier to go
forward or to go backward? Can you still move the
vehicle? Is there an anchor point to winch to? Are you
alone or do you have another vehicle to help? Is there
high risk of vehicle damage during the recovery
process? Answering these questions will help you
determine the best method of recovery. If you can still
move the vehicle slightly and the only issue is slick
ground, then rock cycling your vehicle would be the
first choice. If you have ample room, an additional
vehicle and there is low risk of vehicle impact on the
surroundings, then using a tow strap to the vehicle tow
hooks would be fast and easy. If the vehicle is severely
hung up or in a situation where great care needs to be
taken during the recovery, then nothing can do the job
better than a winch. If you are severely hung up on
something you should jack the vehicle up and stack
something under the wheels to allow the vehicle to roll
off the object without causing further damage. This
should be tried before attempting any recovery method.
Rock Cycling Your Vehicle – Rock cycling your
vehicle is one of the easiest, fastest and most
commonly used methods. This simply involves
shifting your vehicle from DRIVE to REVERSE,
while applying throttle after each shift. During
this process, for additional traction, try turning
your steering wheel quickly left and right no
more than a quarter turn. If you are stuck in
mud, sand, or snow try spinning your tires during
this process to clean the debris from the tread
and improve the traction. You want to create a
rocking motion with the vehicle. This helps build
vehicle momentum, which hopefully gets you
out. Remember to ease off and on the acceler-
ator before and after the shift. If after a few rock
cycles your vehicle is not free, stop and try
another method of recovery. Continuous rock
cycling will only cause unnecessary damage to
your vehicle and the environment.
CAUTION!
Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of tire
damage and may cause tire unseating with total
loss of air pressure. To reduce the risk of tire
unseating, while at a reduced tire pressure,
drive at slower speeds and avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers.
CAUTION!
Pulling the vehicle off an obstacle, without first
clearing the object, may result in additional
underbody damage.
22_DJD2_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 170
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