If you have ever taken your vehicle off-road, then you know that a lot more is involved than getting some mud stuck in your grill. It also includes digging through deep sand and mud, kicking up rocks, and taking a dip through streams. Off-roading is more than a hobby. In fact, many enjoy it as an integral part of their lifestyle. To be really good at it, you need to have a feel for the landscape you are trekking on a well as your vehicle’s full potential.
Anyone who takes their vehicle off-road enough to reach this level will need to perform maintenance more often than an average motorist. This will prevent the vehicle from experiencing mechanical failure and make you aware of possible issues before they become worse. With these things in mind, we’ve listed five tips to help you maintain your off-road vehicle.
1. Wash Your Vehicle Daily
When your vehicle enjoys a day of off-roading adventures, you can easily say that it enjoyed itself and you have achieved a major task. However, if you don’t wash your vehicle daily, then that caked-on mud can easily damage your exterior and causes premature wear on important components such as brakes, suspension, and bearings.
Giving your 4×4 a good wash underneath will clean out the cracks and crevices that may hide any excess grit.
2. Check your Tires Daily
Your tires are what get you in and out of the mud and dirt. To ensure that they continue to do so, you need to inspect them every time you finish having fun. Ensure that there are no abnormalities or rocks embedded in each of your tires tread.
Inspect each tire’s lug nuts and ensure that they are all snug. Check the spare tire and make sure that the carrier is in its original condition and not damaged in any way.
3. Replace Fluids
Off-roading can put a lot of wear on a vehicle, and overheating can easily occur. When overheating occurs frequently, the fluid in your vehicle’s gearbox will begin to disintegrate. Because this occurs more commonly in automatic transmission vehicles, the fluid will need to be changed more frequently. Don’t forget the filter as well. As the old fluid is drained, make sure to use fine cheesecloth in order to separate metal shavings. If you notice an extreme amount of metal, then it could indicate the gearbox or another part of the transmission is starting to break down.
4. Protect the Differential
Many terrains can be abusive to an off-road vehicle. This is why it is important to install some kind of protective cover for the differential. However, you still run a risk of damage no matter how hard you try to protect it, which can cause a fluid leak.
Plus, if your vehicle is in high water often, then your differential can become submerged and its fluid can begin to mix with water from the outside. When mixing occurs, the fluid must be replaced as soon as possible.
5. Monitor your Shock Absorbers
Having your shock absorbers go out can ruin any good day in the mud and sludge of the off-road. You need to make sure that you don’t hit areas that could blow them out. If it happens, then your entire steering will be affected as your tires wobble and shake.
Look over the shock absorbers daily. Inspect them for a leak or dents as well as the mounts and bushings.
Conclusion
More than a casual hobby, taking your vehicle off-roading is a lifestyle commitment that takes a lot of extra work and maintenance to do right. If you follow the steps above every time you come home from an adventure, however, you can ensure your vehicle is ready for adventure for years to come.
