CMH Mitsubishi

7 Essential 4×4 Driving Tips: Get the Most from Your Mitsubishi at CMH Mitsubishi Midrand

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7 Essential 4×4 Driving Tips: Get the Most from Your Mitsubishi at CMH Mitsubishi Midrand

Bought a 4×4 but only use it on tar? You’re missing half the fun. Whether you’re heading to the bushveld, beach, or a gravel farm road in Gauteng, knowing how to drive your Mitsubishi Triton or Pajero Sport properly keeps you safe and saves your vehicle.

Here are 7 essential 4×4 driving tips from the team at CMH Mitsubishi Midrand.

1. Know Your 4×4 System Before You Need It

Mitsubishi’s legendary Super Select II 4WD system gives you four distinct driving modes designed to tackle varying terrain conditions seamlessly:

  • 2H (High Range, 2WD): Best for normal, dry tar road driving to optimize fuel efficiency.
  • 4H (High Range, 4WD): Ideal for wet asphalt, high-speed gravel roads, and light off-road surfaces where extra traction is needed.
  • 4HLc (High Range, Locked Center Differential): Crucial for low-grip surfaces like deep sand or thick mud, splitting power equally between axles.
  • 4LLc (Low Range, Locked Center Differential): Provides maximum torque at slow speeds for steep hills, rock crawling, and heavy recovery work.

Practice changing modes in a safe area. Our CMH Mitsubishi Midrand team will gladly demonstrate every single mode during your next test drive.

CMH Mitsubishi Midrand Drive Mode

2. Drop Your Tyre Pressure for Sand and Mud

Failing to air down is the #1 mistake made by novice off-roaders. Adjusting your footprint drastically improves traction and prevents your vehicle from digging into soft surfaces:

  • For Sand Driving: Drop your pressures to 1.0 – 1.2 bar.
  • For Rocky Trails: Aim for 1.4 – 1.6 bar to allow the tyre to flex over sharp obstacles instead of puncturing.

Lower pressure equals a bigger footprint and significantly better grip. Just remember to reinflate your tyres to standard pressures before driving back onto the tar. Ask us about heavy-duty portable compressors and deflation gauges at CMH Mitsubishi Midrand.

CMH Mitsubishi Midrand Tyre

3. Momentum is King, But Control is Queen

Navigating tough terrains requires a delicate balance of smooth inputs rather than raw speed:

  • In Sand and Mud: Keep a steady, continuous momentum. Avoid floor-matting the accelerator or slamming on the brakes suddenly, as this will bury your chassis.
  • On Steep Hills: Engage low range (4LLc), choose a gear, and let the engine braking do the work.
  • Directional Safety: Always ascend and descend straight up or down the fall line. Never turn sideways on a steep slope, as this risks a vehicle rollover.

4. Read the Terrain Ahead

Off-road driving requires looking far ahead of your front bumper to choose the safest line through obstacles:

  • Water Crossings: Walk the water depth first if safe to do so. Enter slowly to create a consistent bow wave, and maintain steady momentum until you exit.
  • Rock Crawling: Place your tyres directly on top of high rocks rather than trying to straddle them, which protects your underbody components.
  • Deep Ruts: Straddle deep ruts where possible to avoid belly-scraping and getting hung up on your diff housings.

5. Use Your Diff Lock and Traction Control Wisely

If you find yourself losing forward progress, do not keep spinning your tyres—this only makes the hole deeper.

Stop immediately, engage your rear differential lock, slip into low range, and attempt to rock the vehicle gently. Mitsubishi’s Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC) is fantastic for gravel roads, but you should switch it off when driving in deep sand to avoid the system cutting engine power when you need momentum most.

6. Pack Dedicated Recovery Gear

Even the most seasoned off-road drivers get stuck occasionally. Before leaving the pavement, ensure your vehicle is packed with the essentials:

  1. High-lift or exhaust jack and a sturdy shovel
  2. Heavy-duty recovery tracks (sand ladders)
  3. Kinetic tow strap and properly rated bow shackles
  4. Accurate tyre pressure gauge and a 12V air compressor
  5. A reliable communication device (and always tell someone your route)

7. Look After Your 4×4 After the Trip

The adventure isn’t completely finished until your vehicle is properly cleaned and inspected:

  • Underbody Wash: Thoroughly spray down the chassis to remove caked mud, salt, and abrasive sand that can trap moisture and cause rust.
  • Visual Inspection: Inspect the undercarriage for any fluid leaks, torn CV boots, or deep tyre sidewall gouges.
  • Keep Your Warranty Intact: Book a post-trip inspection or service at CMH Mitsubishi Midrand after any heavy off-road excursion to ensure your vehicle remains in peak operating condition.

Ready for Adventure?

Visit CMH Mitsubishi Midrand today for a hands-on 4×4 experience drive in the new Triton or Pajero Sport. Our expert team will show you how to master the Super Select 4WD system, choose the right off-road accessories, and set up your optimal service plan.

Contact us on: 011 238 6000

Address: 451 New Road, Randjespark, Midrand