Hi everyone, I am quite privileged to be asked to write to Autolanka.com and would like to congratulate the administrator/creator of this site for a job well done.
 
I live in Southern Africa (since very small) and my one great passion has been motoring. Motor racing, (especially off-road motor racing) and off road 4x4 adventuring has been the area of motoring that has attracted me the most. With the vast land areas available here (lot like the outback in Australia), My wife and I pack up our faithful 4x4 (more affectionately known as Pietrie) and travel into the bush every opportunity we get.

During my recent visits to Sri-Lanka, I noticed that, though not as developed as it is here, the 4x4 outdoor culture is catching on and that more and more people are showing an interest in truly getting their 4x4’s off the road. Rather than using them merely as a status symbol.

As a contribution to this growing culture, I would like to share my experiences in the various aspects of off road driving with you, through this site.

Having said all that, I would like to start off with my first article being about driving your 4x4 through water.

Driving Through Water

One of the most satisfying 4x4 feelings is driving through rivers and streams successfully. But beware, there is a lot more to water than meets the eye.

Contrary to what most advertisements for 4x4’s (SUV’s) may portray, modern 4x4 vehicles are more road biased than off road. Always check with your dealer and be cautious at all times. Those vehicles you see in Camel Trophy or Land Rover G4 competitions are not standard vehicles.

Water and Wading

• Adhere to the manufacturers’ recommended maximum wading depth (this being the maximum level to which your vehicle can be submerged in water).

• Before driving your vehicle through water, it is wise to walk through by foot and check for the depth and for any hidden obstacles.

• If you are traveling in convoy, it is advisable, that all vehicles follow in the same path as the lead vehicle.

• Stagnant water can be more dangerous than flowing water.

• Make sure that the air intake of the engine is above the level of water and that transmission and differential breathers don’t take in water.

• If you travel regularly in areas where you have to carry out water crossings, it is advisable to have the fluids, oil seals and wheel bearings checked more regularly.

• Drive through water at a speed that creates a bow wave ahead of the bumper.

• In choosing gears, low range second is the most ideal. This enables you to be able to keep engine revs high enough (so that water won’t enter through the exhaust pipe), whilst also getting adequate torque to the wheels.

• If you do get stuck, do not let the engine switch off !! Keep it running until the vehicle is recovered.

• Some people suggest that when driving through water, the fan belts should be removed. I do not believe in this, as the removing of the belts will mean that your water pump will stop working. This could damage your engine. However, when entering the water and driving through it, keep your speed as low as possible. High speeds could cause damage to your radiator fan.

• Attach a tow rope or snatch strap to your vehicle before wading into water as a precaution, just in case recovery is needed.

• When in convoy, let one vehicle get through the water first so that it could standby on the other side if recovery is needed by any of the other vehicles. It is always advisable to let one vehicle at a time cross rather than all the vehicles in the convoy getting in at once.

• Once you have got through the water, dry the brakes by driving a short distance with a slight pressure on the brake pedal or the hand brake.

Happy off-roading !