Accessory Crazy: The Latest Gadgets For Your Car

Posted on: 8 May 2019

Are you an off-road enthusiast? Off-road conditions can expose your car to severe wear and tear. In this article, you will learn how to prepare your vehicle for off-road expeditions.  

Tires

Your standard car tires are not suitable for off-road driving. You require off-road tires that are thick and have deep treads. These tires are designed to offer maximum traction in loose and slippery terrain. Inquire about tire pressure as you purchase the tires. If your vehicle is a daily drive, purchase all-terrain tires that can handle both off-road and on-road conditions. 

Suspension

Ask your mechanic to upgrade your car suspension to 4×4 suspension. The springs and shock absorbers of these suspension systems are designed to absorb energy from the rough off-road conditions. There are a variety of suspension systems you can choose, including independent front suspension and twin-traction beams. You may also need to upgrade your bushes, stabiliser bars, links and bearings.

Lift kit

A lift kit helps increase your vehicle's ground clearance. Lift kits are designed for specific uses. For example, if you will go rock crawling, you need a different lift kit from someone that intends to go for a high-speed desert race. Some states restrict certain kinds of lift kits for roadworthy vehicles. As such, if you raise your car to extreme heights, it will not be road-legal.

Emergency kit

Below are some of the items you should have in your emergency kit. 

1. A first aid kit, including a fire extinguisher to respond to accidents as you travel.
2. A winch. It can help pull your vehicle from severe conditions such as swamps or rocky terrains. Because your vehicle's battery powers the winch, you need to keep your battery running as you operate the equipment.
3. Recovery tracks to help your vehicle navigate through sandy, muddy or slippery conditions.
4. A shovel to scoop mud or sand and a high-lift jack to lift the car when changing tires or installing recovery tracks. 
5. Snow chains to increase traction and reduce skidding if you intend to drive in snowy conditions.  

Under the hood modifications

Your car must be mechanically sound to handle off-road conditions. Service your vehicle with high-quality oils and high-performance spark plugs. Also, you need to upgrade your braking to handle slippery and steep terrain. Your mechanic may advise you to tune your engine to increase your vehicle's horsepower and torque.

Some modifications to consider when preparing your car for off-road driving include off-road tires, four-wheel suspension, a lift kit, an emergency kit and engine upgrades.