ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602150019
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: EXTRA EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN ADAMS STAFF WRITER
If you're the proud owner of a new four-wheel-drive vehicle and suddenly have visions of yourself charging up the face of a mountain or crossing the darkest swamp, hold your horses.
For the neophyte, the urge to do the unthinkable is strong indeed (otherwise what's the point of buying such a machine?). But you may want to educate yourself before you find yourself stuck or arrested or at the mechanic's.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Where am I going? Whose property is this?
How deep is this stuff?
Are my tires in good shape, and will I be able to stop?
How fast should I be going?
Do I really know what I'm doing?
Use common sense
``Four-wheel-drive is not invincible,'' said Robert Harper, general manager at Berglund Chevy-Geo-Jeep. ``You're less likely to get stuck with four-wheel-drive, but you can still get stuck.''
The recent bad weather has resulted in a surge of four-wheel-drive sales in the area, in addition to the national trend toward sport-utility vehicles for recreational purposes.
Harper's recent four-wheel-drive customers, especially those who live in hilly areas, have mainly been concerned with getting around in the snow.
``It's a safety issue for them,'' he said.
He said that many people become over-confident once they're behind the wheel. They feel they can conquer anything.
``But you can't stop any better,'' Harper said. ``You still have the same brakes.''
Magic City Ford sales rep Charlie Pickle agreed. ``Watch the conditions, slow your speed, look for other drivers, and make sure your brakes and tires are in good shape,'' he said.
In the forest
If you want to drive your vehicle off-road, there are specific, clearly marked trails in the national forests for four-wheelers, said Donna Wilson, assistant director of information for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her local office can provide maps, brochures with guidelines, and an update on road conditions. If conditions are too poor, the roads may be closed.
When driving in the forest, the main rule is to be respectful. Don't run over young vegetation - this can kill it. Avoid badly rutted areas; it's expensive to repair the damage. Cross streams only at marked crossings. Obey all signs. Travel at a slow, safe speed. Leave animals alone. And most of all, stay on designated roads.
The trail system in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is closed annually from Jan. 1 through March 31 to allow the resources to recover.
At the beach
For surf-fisherpeople and shell collectors who venture to the coast, four-wheelers can be great for getting to remote stretches. According to Acting Chief Ranger Mike Anderson of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, there are some important rules to follow.
The speed limit on the beach is 25 mph. Besides being the law, it's also helpful: You're less likely to get stuck if you observe the limit; faster speeds in deep sand will make your tires spin and bury your vehicle.
``If you do get stuck, let some air out of your tires, down to about 22 pounds,'' Anderson said. ``You'll be amazed at how a little air will make a difference.'' He added that many people prefer to put larger tires on their vehicles just for the purpose of driving on sand.
Drive as near the water as possible, since it's a harder surface.
Use only the marked beach ramps for access.
Observe signs protecting endangered species, such as shore birds and sea turtles.
Anderson suggested keeping in the vehicle a hand-held air pump (to fill your tires again), a tow strap and a cellular phone, just in case.
In deep
Stay out of deep water, all the sales reps said.
``If you can't see the ground through the water or if it's over your hubs, it's too deep,'' said Magic City Ford's Charlie Pickle.
``And the fan can suck water up into the engine,'' Berglund's Harper said. ``If it pulls it into the engine it can do major damage.''
With snow, ``It shouldn't be over your front bumper,'' said Barry Wells, a sales representative at New River Pontiac/GMC Truck/Nissan. ``It can pack up underneath and lift you off the ground.'' Also, the vehicle can end up pushing the snow instead of getting traction on it.
With mud, Charlie Pickle suggested, ``If it's so soft that the vehicle sinks, the tires can't get any traction. Also, all the weight's resting on the axle.''
Other tips
All of the sales reps agreed that it's not necessary to use four-wheel-drive in ordinary rain, although it can provide additional traction in a heavy downpour. (Vehicles with all-wheel drive, on the other hand, are made specifically for normal driving in rain on slick pavement, as opposed to off-road use, said Barry Wells. He added that the best approach is simply to know how your own vehicle is designed.)
Also, four-wheel-drive should not be used at high speeds. Pickle said that most owners manuals use the term ``reasonable speed.'' ``But you shouldn't be driving fast in bad conditions anyway,'' he said. He recommended going no faster than 45 mph with four-wheel-drive engaged. Furthermore, four-wheel-drive should not be used on dry pavement; it can harm the vehicle and wear down the tires.
All of these precautions shouldn't ruin anyone's fun. Being stuck in the forest with mud up to your floorboards and dark setting in - that's no fun.
Harper summed it up by saying, ``Just be careful.''
QUICK TIPS FOR 4-WHEELERS
Stay on legal roads or specified 4WD roads. Check first.
On sand, let some air out of your tires (to 22 lbs.) or, better, use bigger tires.
Don't drive in snow that's higher than your front bumper.
Stay out of water deeper than your hubs.
Never bury your vehicle (in anything) up to the axle.
Avoid using 4WD when you're driving over 45 mph (if the conditions require 4WD, you need to slow down anyway).
Don't use 4WD on dry pavement; it's bad for vehicle and tires.
Slow down: you can't stop any faster in a 4WD.
Be careful and use common sense.
LENGTH: Long : 147 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: STEPHANIE KLEIN-DAVIS/Staff. Robert Harper, generalby CNBmanager of Berglund Chevy-Geo-Jeep on Williamson Road in Roanoke,
has been moving a lot of four-wheel-drives during the recent foul
weather: ``Four-wheel-drive is not invincible.... You're less likely
to get stuck with four-wheel-drive, but you can still get stuck.''
color. Graphic: Stinson. color.