That said, it’s important to understand what type of damage can be caused by going off-road. Now this list can comprise your entire vehicle, especially if the terrain is difficult to safely navigate. But for our purposes, and for people with regular stock vehicles which can go off-road, we are merely going to name typical problems that can arise by driving on moderately difficult trails. We’ve all seen videos of trucks attempting to climb vertically up a cliff face, but those vehicles are specialized and beyond the scope of what we’re discussing.

Be sure that you only use the clutch when shifting, don’t use it as a coasting mechanism. If you need to slow down, use the brake. Similarly, when going uphill, people typically gun it to ensure their momentum is kept up. But this is not only excessive but puts a strain on your transmission while at the same time ruining your tires. You want to keep a constant RPM where your tires are not spinning out. If you feel you need momentum to get up a hill because your tire tread is not holding or your vehicle doesn’t have the power, think twice before gunning it. Because if you don’t make it to the top, there is only one other direction for you to go, and chances are it will be more out of your control than you would be comfortable with.

Uneven Wear and Flat Tires

Tires are generally made for specific purposes in mind, whether that be for racing, 4-wheeling, or generally commuting around the city. As such, Off-Road tires are probably the best route to go for 4-wheeling, mainly because that’s what they are designed for. They are heartier, thicker, with deeper treads and generally a longer life span for off-road conditions. This helps to keep the tires from being punctured or losing air due to constant driving on uneven ground. However, no matter how sturdy the tires are, they are still going to be taking a pounding. Driving over sharp jagged rocks, with uneven vehicle weight distribution all put tremendous stress and strain on the tires. Which makes flat tires a frequent problem. Driving on flat tires, or even tires with a low level of air can further ruin your tire rims. So ensuring your tires are ready for the task of going off-road is paramount.

Car Body Damage

Scraps, scratches, dings, and dents. These are the war wounds of off-road vehicles. Marks and mars that should be worn proudly proving your vehicles 4-wheeling ability. But some people don’t like their vehicles to have such character and obvious marks. If that is the case, you mine as well leave your vehicle at the trailhead because they are inevitable. Driving off-road inherently means your vehicle is going to get dirty, and chances are good it’s going to take some hits. Just be sure you’re ready for your baby to get beat up a little.

Damage To The Undercarriage

As you would imagine driving over uneven and loose terrain, the bottom of your vehicle is going to be taking some damage. Stones will be kicked up, you’ll scrape the bottom over protruding rocks, and may even high center or bottom out causing your vehicle to become stuck. All of these can cause damage to various parts under your vehicle.

Your gas tank can be dented, causing gas level sensors to read incorrectly and may even reduce the total amount of gas that it can hold. Mufflers and exhaust pipes can bent or completely ripped off if the circumstances are right.  Your suspension can be compromised, which is more likely caused by it flexing more than it can bear, but damage can also be caused by running into rocks too hard.

Ruin the Chassis Structural Integrity

Finally, you can ruin the chassis structural integrity of the vehicle. This would mean you’re vehicle has taken a big hit, but your vehicle’s chassis is literally the skeleton of your vehicle. If you had a broken bone, anywhere on your body, wouldn’t it be noticeable and needing immediate attention? The same goes for your chassis. Any cracks or dents need to be immediately fixed because the longer it’s postponed, the worse the problem can become, and beyond that, it can cause other problems to occur.

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