Driving on a dirt road

Driving on country and dirt roads is uncomfortable, has a bad effect on the technical condition of the car, and has a number of features that must always be remembered.

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If you are on a "dirt road" in dry weather, a dense dust curtain will constantly appear from under the vehicle moving in front, significantly limiting the field of vision (like in fog). In addition, dust enters the passenger compartment, and closed windows and hatches do not always save it from it (this is especially unpleasant when small children, allergy sufferers or other passengers with increased sensitivity are traveling in the car). The air filter becomes clogged and the vehicle itself is covered with dust.

Subtleties of driving on a dirt road
But you can't rush to overtake: the dust curtain will limit visibility, it will be impossible to control the situation. A more or less acceptable view will appear when the front bumper is level with at least the middle of the overtaken car. In most cases, it is best to slow down and lag behind the dusty vehicle, or stop for a short while.

On dirt roads, drivers usually try to drive slowly in order to preserve the car's chassis. But there is one more reason that prevents acceleration: on a "dirt road" the car is more susceptible to drifts compared to asphalt and concrete roads. With sharp maneuvering, loss of control is possible, similar to how it happens on ice.

Experienced motorists advise: on gravel surfaces, reduce the speed, close the windows (otherwise stones from under the wheels of other cars may get into the cabin), get behind the front car to a safe distance, increase the lateral spacing when oncoming traffic. Avoid overtaking oversized cars (especially trucks, trucks with trailers, road trains), and do not forget that they can also get into a skid.

Subtleties of driving on a dirt road
On dirt surfaces, in wet weather, stay away from the curb: it can get wet and become dangerous not only for driving, but also for stopping the car, since on a sticky surface, the car can slide into the ditch.

Avoid driving on dirt or gravel roads in neutral. On such surfaces, the adhesion of the tires to the road surface is greatly impaired, so the machine must be additionally supported by the power unit.

An important safety rule on the "dirt road" is driving at a low, but constant speed. Then the car will be as controllable as possible. As well as on slippery surfaces, it is impossible to brake or accelerate sharply, as well as to maneuver intensively, since the car can quickly go into a skid.

An dirt road can turn into mud. To overcome such sections, you need to accelerate a little and pass them in one gear, without stopping. In such circumstances, this method is most effective.

If the car is stuck in the mud, and its wheels are skidding, you should not give the engine high revs - it is pointless: it will loudly "roar", burning fuel, and the wheels will rotate in one place, and the car will not move. The first thing to do in such a situation is to try to get out in reverse along a fresh track: practice shows that this simple method is often effective. If the attempt is unsuccessful, you will have to dig out the drive wheels (at least a little), and put boards, branches, carpets from the salon and other suitable items under them that are at hand.

To get out of the mud, you can ask for help from passengers or someone from outside. They will help push the car out. Alternatively, ask them to sit on the trunk (for a rear-wheel drive car) or the hood (for a front-wheel drive car): this will increase the load on the wheels, additionally press them to the ground and, due to this, improve traction.

Subtleties of driving on a dirt road
Useful advice: in order not to get stuck in the mud, if in any doubt, it is better to stop, get out of the car and see what the upcoming section of the road is like. Sometimes it is more expedient to turn around and take a different route, or find another suitable solution - this is better than pulling the car out of sticky soil.