A question that has an easy answer. Of course they need winter tyres. If the tyres offer a good grip then 4×4 driving in the winter is an added bonus.

Many 4×4 owners are misguided into thinking because they have a 4×4 they don’t require winter tyres. However, thinking like this exposes them to unnecessary risks when faced with a tricky situation.

Although these vehicles offer better traction, they are nevertheless heavy and more delicate to manoeuvre when braking or cornering. For 4×4 vehicles to fully reach their potential, their tyres need sufficient grip to hug the wet, snow-covered or icy winter roads.

For these given scenarios on the roads, all major tyre brands have developed special ranges of tires specifically for 4×4 vehicles, including tyres for winter.

These winter tyres have the following characteristics:

• Constructed from materials that are suited to low temperatures
• Have a directional, often asymmetrical tread pattern on them
• Have deep tread pattern with numerous edges
• Have wide longitudinal grooves.

Specialist 4×4 tyres can help you drive safely whatever the road conditions.

Most winches use hydraulic or electrical power. The hydraulic winch has numerous advantages over those that use electrical power. Some of these advantages include weight, power, and safety. Below are the advantages of using a hydraulic winch.

Overheating

One of the first advantages of a hydraulic winch is overheating. An electric winch will overheat if you use it too long, and you will have to let it cool down for a while before using it again. It may also get too hot for you to touch. A hydraulic winch will never overheat. It will continuously pull for however long you need it.

Battery

Electric winches will only work while the batteries are charged. This type of winch can easily drain your battery in less than a minute, so you would need to have a very strong battery. A hydraulic winch doesn’t rely on your battery power. Therefore, you never have to worry about being stranded because your battery has been drained.

Weight

Another advantage of a hydraulic winch is the weight. Winches have to be very strong to do their job, and this usually causes them to weigh a lot. Too much weight can put more strain on your front axle and front springs. You don’t have to worry about this with a hydraulic winch because they weigh less than an electric one.

Power

Pulling power is also an advantage of a hydraulic winch. Those powered by electricity have a tendency to become bogged down while under heavy loads. A hydraulic winch usually has more pulling power than electric winches. The hydraulic type of winch will provide a constant pull no matter how much weight it has to pull.

Safety

One of the final advantages of a hydraulic winch is safety. An electric motor may stall and cause too much pressure to be put on the wire rope which is very dangerous. A hydraulic winch will never stall so you don’t have to worry about over torque.
These are some of the advantages of using a hydraulic winch over one that uses electrical power. The hydraulic variety will never overheat, so you can use it as long as you need it. The hydraulic winch also won’t drain your battery or put too much strain on your front axle and springs. These winches also have more pulling power and will provide a constant pull no matter how much weight it’s pulling.

Wheel bearings can fail if not maintained or looked after properly. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:

• Clean bearings properly. Use clean solvent and brushes and dry thoroughly with clean air.
• Never spin dry bearings; this causes scratching of the polished surface and may result in premature failure.
• Do not pack the bearing unless it is perfectly dry.
• Good practice calls for a thorough inspection after cleaning and before reinstallation. Bearings in 4×4’s are often hammered or pulled without respect for such precision made assemblies. Re-assembly of a damaged bearing results in short component life.
• Pack the bearing immediately following cleaning, drying and inspection.
• Do not use an excessive amount of grease – be sure it is worked into every bearing space, but do not fill the hub with grease.
• Keep bearings clean, work on a clean bench and do not handle bearings with dirty or moist hands.
• When re-assembling check the bearing for proper seating.
• Check adjustments carefully. Most vehicle manufacturers nominate a torsion wrench setting for bearing assemblies. Use a torque wrench and do not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Check brake shoe clearance, the dragging tip of a brake shoe or pad can create very high wheel temperatures in a short run.
• Keep grease containers completely covered when not in use to avoid contamination. (Replace the lid immediately sufficient grease has been removed from the container).
• Do not mix different types of grease. Under no circumstances must lithium based multi-purpose grease be mixed with soda base wheel bearing grease or an adverse chemical reaction will occur.
• Carefully avoid contact of the packed bearing with dirt, dust, water or dirty hands.
• Use the correct grade of grease for the job. Do not at any time use chassis grease. If the vehicle is used in very arduous service or under unusual conditions of load and speed, check with the manufacturer for correct grease recommendation.

When it comes to off road driving it is a very different driving skill than normal road driving. You only appreciate how different once you have had a go driving on a road and then an unmade track and perhaps got it wrong. Driving off road requires an entirely different thought process to how you would drive on the road.

You build up instincts and reactions as a driver, whether you have been driving for 5yrs or 25 years these reactions usually surface when something starts to go wrong – for example going round a sharp bend in wet conditions – you are cornering slightly too fast and the back of the vehicle starts to slide out! To try and prevent losing control you would steer into the slide. Unfortunately if you rely on these same instincts when driving off road is not so good. There is a good chance that you may do entirely the wrong thing and the result could be quite serious.

Firstly never under estimate the capability of your 4×4. Fully understand the vehicle and make sure you have read and are familiar with all aspects of the driver’s handbook. Make sure you understand the technical information of the car, weight limits, features and limitations as well as all safety considerations. 4×4 vehicles are all terrain capable but you still have to drive safely as poor judgement can result in personal injury and loss of vehicle use. Take the time to fully get to know your 4×4 is it petrol or diesel, manual or automatic. What type of suspension is fitted and what are the limitations.

Pre driving checks are necessary before you take your 4×4 on your off road adventure. These checks are necessary to prevent any unwanted breakdowns. Ensure your tyres have good grip for the surface you are driving on. Check your lights are fully functional as these are your eyed when it is dark or conditions are rough

Always plan your journey and the things that could go wrong and prepare your vehicle accordingly. Consider what you may need to take with you for example first aid kits, fire extinguishers and methods of communication may be essential if you are miles from the nearest village.

Driving on soft sand is not the easiest thing to do but with some preparation and safety tips can be an enjoyable and fun experience in your 4×4.

• As soon as the surface gets softer than a road select the 4×4 drive. Then, when leaving the sand, don’t forget to switch the 4×4 off again. If you don’t do that, it will put stresses on the driveshaft, gearbox and transfer cases as well as cause unnecessary and uneven tyre wear.

• Always reduce the tyre pressure just before going on the sand. This will influence your vehicle performance as the more air you let out, the more tyre will be on the sand, and the better flotation you’ll get.

• If you are afraid to drive on the soft sand, drive on the hard sand just next to the water. It’s worth remembering, though, that patches of soft sand might be found everywhere.

• One of the most common mistakes while driving on sand is to use high gear without leaving any reserve. This will most probably caught you stuck in the sand. If you use lower gear, you can respond more quickly.

• If you start getting stuck, don’t rev the power and dig a bigger hole. Try to stop the vehicle and reverse out on a fresh track.

• Drive off slowly only if all four wheels are safe on the firm sand.

• Try to avoid driving your 4×4 in the sea. It will deteriorate your vehicle quickly even if you give it a rinse afterwards. Another thing is you can sink easily when you stop in the water.