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Driving tips for hunters

by John Robinson

  • Check tyres regularly on hot days for excessive pressure.
  • Driving tips for huntersDon’t drive in someone’s dust. It’s not good for your engine and it’s unsafe. The vehicle may stop and you’ll be too close to see it and stop safely.
  • If you come across a slower vehicle and can’t get past because of dust, stop and have a billy on the side of the road. Don’t rush things.
  • If you’re not used to dirt roads, take it easy, stay in the drive marks and be extremely careful when leaving them when oncoming traffic is encountered - especially on corners. If the loose gravel looks deep on the side of the road, slow down.
  • If the roads are really dusty, clean the air filters every 2000 to 3000km.
  • When filling up in remote places, use a fuel additive to displace water and kill any algae.
  • Check your vehicle’s oil and fluid levels every morning. If you’ve been through rough terrain, check the undercarriage.
  • Have some kind of bug remover or window cleaner in a washer bottle along with a clean rag. Don’t drive with a dirty windscreen - it’s hard on eyes and it is dangerous.
  • It is a good idea to carry two jacks for getting out of trouble. You can use them in conjunction or jack and block and jack again with the other jack.
  • If using a 4WD in soft sand or boggy soil in extreme temperatures, have regular rests to allow oil in gearboxes and diffs to cool down.
  • When in rough terrain, it is wise to always have your hubs locked in so there’s no need to stop if you need to go into 4WD, which can often mean the difference between getting stuck or not.