Before each off-road adventure, you should get your vehicle serviced and check for yourself that you’re happy with its condition before you leave.

Vehicle Checks

• Indicators work
• Windscreen wipers work and are not degrading
• Sufficient oil
• Sufficient radiator water
• All lights work
• Seatbelts are in good condition and working order
• Check all tyres – including the spare – are in good condition, with deep treads and no damage to the sidewalls

Considerations When Choosing A Vehicle

• Budget – from well used second-hand cars or compact SUVs to custom-modified monsters, there’s something for everyone
• Comfort – not to be underestimated on long journeys, or if you also plan to use your vehicle for daily life
• Ground clearance – how adventurous are you feeling? If you prefer to play it safe, you may get by with a crossover, but you’ll probably find it restricts your fun
• Size – small means lighter and lower fuel consumption, but for camping trips or adventures with the family you’ll appreciate the extra space
• Toys – rather than heated seats, reversing cameras and entertainment systems, the options to consider for off-roading include traction control and diff-lock, explained in further detail below

Tyres

Worn-out tyres are one of the main causes of traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia. The heat of the road surface and rough terrain all take their toll, as do carrying excessive weight, speeding, driving at the wrong air pressure and other contributing factors.

Ensure you have the right kind of tyres for the driving you’re planning to do. Road tyres may be appropriate for some desert driving, but may be susceptible to punctures and other damage if you’re planning to hit the wadis where there’s often sharp rocks and gravel. Make sure your tyres are in good condition and that you select the correct pressure for the particular terrain of your route. This is discussed in greater detail throughout the chapter.

General Considerations for Tyres:

• Inspect tyres carefully before you leave and in between periods of driving. Check each tyre for worn tread, damaged sidewalls and for any wear in or around the valves. Check for cuts and gashes that may have been caused by sharp stones, especially after wadi driving
• Don’t underestimate paved roads; they can also be a threat to your tyres, especially in fierce heat on steep mountain roads with tight bends
• The difference between tyres with inner tubes and tubeless tyres is not critical, but in general, tubeless tyres are less likely to puncture abruptly and if they do, they can often be ‘quick-fixed’ until a more reliable repair is possible. However, tyres with inner tubes are usually more reliable at low pressures
• Don’t neglect your spare tyre – check its condition regularly to make sure it is sufficiently inflated. Make sure you have the key if your spare tyre is fitted with a locking wheel nut. And if it is bolted to the underside of your vehicle, make sure you have the correct tools for its removal

• You should also make sure that the wheel nuts on all tyres are not over-tightened – try loosening each one with a wheel brace before you set off; if you can’t do it, you won’t be able to do it when you have a puncture

Gears & Transmission

Automatic transmission is the norm in Saudi Arabia, although it is possible to come by manual vehicles. The performance of each kind in the desert differs in a number of ways. Automatics are smoother and faster at gear changes than a manual, which can make it easier to keep your momentum, and easier to drive. On the downside, you may find that automatics can change gears at inopportune moments and have less engine braking ability. With manuals, you decide which gear you want, but you’ll have to learn to act fast. Most automatics have a low-gear option for steep descents, or even a gear selector to give you more control.

Whichever option you go for, you’ll learn how to predict its performance and respond to its quirks with practice.

If you’re unfamiliar with a hired or new vehicle, make sure you know how to use the following assists before you need them. In some cases, you’ll often need to come to a complete stop and put the vehicle in neutral to engage 4WD.

4WD High Range

This is what you will use for most of your off-road driving. The torque of the engine is distributed between all wheels, front and back.

4WD Low Range

Low range is engaged only when driving challenging terrain, or when stuck or bogged down. It allows for controlled and steady movement. Engine revs are much higher and progress is slow.

Diff-lock

Power from the engine is usually distributed through a number of differentials to all four wheels. These differentials are located on the front axle, the rear axle and on the drive shaft between the two axles. If one or more of the wheels gets stuck, the differentials transfer power to the free wheels, causing them to spin aimlessly and do nothing to get the car unstuck.

Not all cars have diff-lock, but if yours does, engaging the locks forces the wheels to move at the same speed, which cuts down on spinning and allows the wheels with the best traction to pull you out of trouble.

For wadis and mountains, you should be able to drive mostly in high range without diff-lock. In the desert, however, engaging central diff-lock is a good precaution because it assists in providing even power and traction between the front and rear wheels.

As a rule, rear diff-lock is for when you get stuck – it can get you out of trouble in the desert, or help you over uneven, rocky ground if one or more wheels lose contact with the ground. Don’t forget to disengage diff-lock once you are out of trouble, otherwise you can seriously damage your vehicle. It should only be used for driving in a straight line and not for going uphill or turning. Most importantly, diff-lock will not stop you from sliding in wet or slippery conditions and will only worsen your predicament.

Traction Control

If your car has traction control, this is an especially useful tool when faced with steep hill descents. Keep your foot off the gas and the brake and let the car go at its own steady pace, using the engine brake. The traction control also apportions torque where it is most needed, by applying the brakes selectively to the wheels with the least grip.

Stability Control

Stability control aims to minimise skidding by correcting under or oversteering. It uses numerous sensors to detect whether the vehicle is going out of control and applies targeted braking accordingly.

Airbags

If your vehicle is fitted with side airbags, be sure to turn them off for driving in sand. The angles your car may assume could trick it into thinking it has rolled over, and you or your passenger could be victim to a nasty blow to the face. Depending on the car model, you may need to turn them off every time you restart the engine.