Improving Your Automobile

How to Keep Your 4-wheel Drive in Top Condition

4 March 2015

Addison Morris

Restoring a four wheel drive in a mechanic's repair store is pretty expensive; the last thing you want to do is get yourself in that mess. You want to stay alert and attend to issues immediately they crop up otherwise you risk doubling the trouble. Well, if possible, you should totally eliminate the occurrence of these problems.

A four-wheel drive uses all wheels, it has more power and this means that it needs more maintenance due to its complexity. Here are some things to implement in your maintaining, especially if you are heading out to those long trips.

Tyre balancing and aligning

The tyres are the parts of your precious vehicle that get in contact with the ground and you need to care for them. Poor alignment will make your steering pathetic particularly in high speeds and you don't want to realise this when halfway along your journey. The consequences may be fatal. You can take your vehicle in to a 4wd wheel alignment specialist to ensure everything is aligned properly.

Also check the tyres to ensure they are balanced and that the weights are equally distributed. These cars have an aggressive motion that alters the balancing and alignment especially when you've been going on off-road tracks.

When dealing with the tyres, ensure that the pressure is just right. You will know the correct pressure to have by checking the tyre placard and remember to do the adjusting when the tyres have cooled. This increases accuracy.

Take care of the battery

For a four wheel drive, the battery undergoes a lot as compares to the average cars. Apart of providing power to start the mighty engine, the battery also powers other appliances like winches and the fridges found in these cars. Don't neglect the battery; you can be certain it'll fight back and that would be a battle you'll definitely lose.

Keep the fluids at conducive conditions by topping up your battery with distilled water, and clean out the terminals to ensure the connection is flawless.

Clean the underside and body

With your 4-wheel drive tearing up the tracks, you won't get intimidated moving in those sandy grounds or cutting your way through muddy paths. Don't forget to wash the underside of your vehicle. You'll be better off using a hose with a powerful water jet to ensure that all the sand and salt comes off. 

Driving in off road conditions exposes the body of your car to a lot of moisture, vegetation and can even scratch your vehicle. Wash it seriously and repaint it if you spot any scratches. Failing to take care of the exterior could make rust eat your car alive.

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