Any driver knows there's a substantial difference between driving a freeway on a dry, sunny day and navigating a narrow mountain road in a rainstorm. There's also a substantial variety of driving conditions off-road, ranging from dry, well-maintained dirt trails to territory and conditions only experts should attempt to negotiate.

SAND
Whether it's in the desert, at the beach, or along a dry riverbed, sand is a challenge few 4WD operators can resist.

Driving on sand is great, as long as you stay on it instead of getting stuck in it. Negotiating soft sand requires either oversize tires or deflating conventional 4WD tires to under 10 lbs./sq.inch pressure. This permits your vehicle to leave a large "footprint" in the sand, spreading your weight over the largest possible area.

The other tricks to driving on sand apply to most adverse weather driving conditions: GO SLOW AND KEEP GOING. If you stop, you can lose traction and you may not get started again.

When climbing loose sand dunes, allow your vehicle to "dig in" to the hlll when forward momentum ends. This will anchor the vehicle while you shift to reverse. Back down under power, using brakes sparingly. Although It may, at first, seem strange, experienced sand drivers accelerate in reverse to maintain directional control. You can't steer while sliding.

When driving in dunes, be sure your vehicle has a flag on your radio or a mast, to allow visibility when you're in a trough between dunes. Once you're out of the sand, don't forget to relnflate your tires to normal highway pressure.

SNOW
A light covering of snow creates minor traction problems, but 4WD vehicles were built to handle. Just SLOW DOWN, use a light touch on your steering and gas pedal and turn in the direction of any skids that do occur.

In medium-deep snow (6-18"), chains may help, especially If the snow is frozen. Chain up your front wheels first. In deep snow, use low pressure instead of chains so your vehicle will stay on top of the snow. Don't spin your wheels, as that will only dig you in. If you're blazing a fresh trail, do it with extreme care - snow covers large rocks and obstacles that can damage your vehicle's undercarriage.

MUD
Can't resist the temptatlon to slog in a bog? Go ahead; Just proceed slowly. Drive in mud like you drive in snow. Gear down to first or second, and keep going. You'll crawl through firm footing if you keep a light touch on the gas and maintain maximum traction.

RAIN & WATER
The excellent traction of 4WD takes to normal a rainy-day driving like a duck takes to water. Crossing floodwaters, shallow ponds and creeks is a different story. Never drive into water of unknown depth. Don't attempt to cross any stream or pond unless you know it's shallow enough for safe passage. In water as in other hazardous driving conditions, maintain a slow, steady speed. Stopping in fast-running water or spinning your wheels may cause erosion of the surface under your tires and may result in your vehicle being buried deeper or carried down-stream by the current.

Exposure to deep water can result in the "washing away" of wheel bearing lubricants and the intrusion of water into differentials, transmission and transfer case where it will mix with the gear oil and destroy its lubricating value.

ROCKS
Unless you enjoy paying for repairs, you'll want to be alert when negotiating rocks. When you encounter a large rock, drive over It with your wheel. Do attempt to straddle rocks that are heavily scarred. That way you'll avoid being high-centered (hung up with the rock keeping your wheels off the ground.)

Use lower tire pressure to ease the forces applied to the vehicle - and you ! Low pressures (10-20 psi) allow the tire to form around rocks, providing more traction and a softer ride.

HILLS
"Slow in low" is the key to going up and down steep hills. Going up, get up speed before you approach the steepest part of the hill, then ease off to maintain traction you need to reach the top. If you have a manual transmission and your engine stalls, DO NOT DEPRESS THE CLUTCH until you have the brakes applied.

Going downhill can be tougher than climbing. Use low gear, and if you have a manual transmission, release the clutch and let the engine "walk" the vehicle downhill, with occasional light application of brakes to slow you down. Use throttle, not brakes, to regain directional control.

If you fail in an attempt to climb an exceptionally steep grade, drive your vehicle down in reverse, with the clutch out, using the brakes to help. Never descend such a hill in neutral, or with the clutch disengaged, relying on the brakes alone! Go downhill on as straight a course as possible, because rollovers are a strong likelihood should you get turned sideways.

COMMON SENSE: YOUR MOST IMPORTANT TOOL!
Highway patrolmen, park rangers, and everyone else associated with the operation of motor vehicles will tell you that the most common cause of accidents is "the loose nut behind the wheel". This is true both on and off the highway. The great majority of 4WD accidents are caused by drivers driving beyond their skill level and the limits of their vehicles. With this in mind, follow these common-sense rules whenever you.encounter adverse driving conditions:

• Remember that machines can't think. That's your job.
• Never use any more power than is necessary to get you through a hazardous area.
• Rely on someone outside the vehicle to get you through tight spots - or get out and check for yourself before driving into trouble.
• Be honest with yourself about your level of skill. The experts are the experts because they took the time to learn.
• Get to know your vehicle and its capabilities. Don't expect it to exceed its design limits.
• Driving in water, mud, sand and snow Is hard on brakes, tires and transmissions.Have your vehicle safety-checked after operating it under adverse conditions.
• There's no room for substance abuse in or around motor vehicles, on or off the road. Drugs and alcohol diminish performance wherever you're driving.
• Practicing safety is more than smart - it will also let you enjoy your 4WD vehicle to the fullest and give you years of fun and adventure.