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The PX Series – A Beginner’s Guide to Off-roading

We’re delighted to offer drivers everything they need for the open road. But what about when you stray from the black stuff and into open countryside? To celebrate the new inclinometer function in our PX Series, we present a brief beginner’s guide to taking your vehicle off-road.

Offroad Adventure Awaits

The thrill of the open road - what could be better? Well, what if you didn’t need a road at all? With off-road capable vehicles becoming ever more popular, it’s no surprise that more people are seeking out rough ground to use them on. In fact, the market for them is estimated to register $34.39 billion USD by 2030. Driving off-road requires a totally different skill set from driving on tarmac. You’ll need anticipation, a good understanding of how terrain behaves, excellent control of the gearing and clutch, as only a start. It is however a great way to test yourself and to gather new skills.

A word of caution here - unless you already have experience or trust your skills particularly strongly (and can be trusted…), taking some lessons might be advisable. There is really no way to overstate the unpredictability of off-road driving, with all the assumptions you can make about a surfaced road no longer applicable. There are, of course, a few things to watch out for...

Mud

Without any surfacing, all the water has to go somewhere. While a little mud won’t be a problem, a lot of it very much could be, with the potential for grabbing your wheel and keeping it there. Trust us, getting in will be much easier than getting out! Check any muddy patches carefully and remember the weight of your vehicle.

Water

What would have been a shallow puddle on tarmac can easily swallow up a wheel, or even end up flooding your engine - this can lead to a catastrophic mechanical failure. For any surface water, plot your route to the other side carefully as it could be deeper than you think. For stream and river crossings, we cannot stress this enough - find out how deep it is before you cross!

Rocks

Rocks on the ground are part and parcel of offroading. This can range from gravel to boulders the size of a watermelon, so you’ll need to know what your vehicle can cope with. Accordingly, the effect of them can vary; from simply slipping slightly right through to bending wheels and snapping axles. A bit of common sense comes into play here, but you’ll need to be extremely careful with your vehicle’s undercarriage. Most SUVs have raised suspension, but every car has its limits. There are just too many important things down there to risk cracking them on a rock.

Sand

Sand can be a vehicle’s worst enemy. What looks like a solid surface can shift under your wheels, and much less sand than you thought can lead you to be totally stuck. If you can, we advise avoiding sandy patches altogether, or at least keeping it to a minimum. If you must drive over sand, proceed carefully and keep your gears high to avoid digging into it too much.

Unexpected Terrain

Driving off-road means dealing with the unexpected. What looked like solid ground can be a quagmire, or a rut seems to come out of nowhere. Much more than driving on surfaced roads, offroading will require your full attention, and you may find yourself exhausted afterwards! We advise you not to get too ambitious with your route planning, drive a little slower than you think you could and, if in doubt, it’s better to turn back and try a different way than to get totally stuck.

Steep Inclines and Declines

Fasten those seatbelts! You will assuredly be thrown around otherwise. While a true off-road vehicle can astound you with what it can handle, a crossover SUV will need much more tame terrain. Build up to truly difficult ground gradually, so you’ll have a better idea what the car can handle.

Car Stereos with a Built-in Inclinometer

To help you make your off-road dreams a reality, selected XTRONS PX Series stereos feature an inclinometer as part of the suite of onboard technology. With real-time ride height, roll, and pitch angle tracking, plus an integrated compass, you can tackle even the toughest terrain with confidence. This enhancement has been specially designed for off-road enthusiasts, with the information from the inclinometer ensures better control, enhanced safety, and an all-round better experience when driving offroad.

Even for those who don’t leave the blacktop, the device is incredibly useful on hills or when parking on steep streets, telling you how steep your incline is and allowing you to make better decisions. Upgrade today and see how useful this feature can be!

What if “Offroading” was “Onroading”?

In the UK, you may be wondering where exactly all this adventure is? You’ll know that while the network of footpaths, access rights and bridleways is extensive, this doesn’t extend to powered vehicles. But what if we told you that there are not only routes available nationwide, but that you’re not technically offroading. Let us explain.

Alongside the UK’s road network, there is a complementary set of routes known as green lanes. These are unsealed, unsurfaced roads with a historic right-of-way, that are, nevertheless, still roads and perfectly legal for use. These vary hugely in terms of quality, difficulty, length and ease of access, and they can be hard to find, often with no or very little signage. So how do you ensure that you’re staying within the law?

Thankfully, the Green Lane Association can help you to find legal green lanes to enjoy. They offer lists and maps for unsealed roads nationwide, so you can enjoy the thrill of rough driving and do it legally. Note - these paths are often shared with pedestrians, cyclists, horses and other animals, so remember to drive with caution.

So, there’s no need to be afraid…

While there can be a learning curve, with the right equipment and some acquired skill, you too could find yourself burning rubber over rough ground. Be warned - the thrill is addictive!