Are you finally selling your loyal car for an off-road beast like an SUV? It’s not surprising, as SUV sales across the world have been increasing in leaps and bounds in the last few years.
The problem is that many SUV’s are not all actually 4WD. So while people are buying these large vehicles to satisfy their need for adventure and off-road trips, not all SUVs are designed for it. If you are planning to go on a trip which does not feature roads, then make sure you buy a 4WD SUV. Shrubbery, wet slippery ground, and rugged rocky hills are the types of terrain which bring out the best of a 4WD. But for non-4WD SUVs, this terrain is unsuitable.
In fact, SUVs are not the most road worthy vehicles. Their bulkiness, height and high centre of gravity can make them challenging for the unskilled driver. There are ways to combat these challenges though.
Visual limitations
The SUV is a large vehicle. With wide angles and higher front ends, you do not have full visibility of the road and things immediately around you. This proves to be a problem in traffic or while parking, as you may bump into smaller cars. A solution to this is to drive a bit more carefully than you would in a regular automobile. Avoid driving “bumper-to-bumper” as this impairs visibility further, posing a risk to other drivers on the road. Take some time to adjust the side-view mirrors and seats to provide you with as much visibility as possible.
Because they are high, they are almost impossible to see behind when you’re backing. There have been accidents and deaths of children and pets when a parent is backing their SUV from their driveway and unsuspectingly knocks their child down. When backing, know where your children are at all times, have an excellent wide-angle backing camera, and exercise caution.
Speed control
SUVs have abysmal handling mainly because of their weight and bulk. The only solution to offset this issue is to drive slow in normal road conditions. If you are trying to make a tight corner, reduce your speed a bit more than you would have in a regular car. This will prevent the vehicle from drifting and causing a nasty incident. Believe it or not, most SUVs roll over when the tyres strike a curb causing the vehicle to “trip”. Their higher centre of gravity means you have to drive them differently to a sedan.
Keep things light
SUVs are built in a manner which gives them a higher centre of gravity than a standard car, and any cargo will increase the instability further. This also increases the chances of the vehicle rolling over, but you can offset this risk by keeping your cargo light. Avoid putting luggage on the top rack unless absolutely necessary and take extra care while manoeuvring tight corners.
Smooth steering
Try to keep your steering as smooth as possible. Overcorrecting minor problems with frantic turns of the wheel can cause the vehicle to topple and roll. Smooth steering is possible if you go slow, as it will allow you enough reaction time to compensate for sudden changes on the road.
Parking
Because SUVs are bigger than sedans, they take up more parking room. While this isn’t rocket science, it means you need to take more care with parking. If you park askew, it may mean the car next to you can’t open their door properly. If you park too far forward in the spot, you’ll hinder the ability of people to drive past you.
Some car parks now have bigger spaces dedicated to SUVs, but not all.
Avoid towing beyond the capacity
Many people are under the assumption that SUVs are beasts, which can haul boats, caravans and the kitchen sink with ease. However, the reality is not so rosy, and accidents have happened because the SUV was towing far beyond its capability. It is our advice that you read the manual which comes with the car carefully, as it generally lists the weights that the vehicle can tow without getting damaged. Also, it’s common sense, but make sure you have comprehensive insurance cover, especially if you’re towing anything.
There you have it! Some tips and strategies to ensure you stay safe in your SUV, which needs a bit more care than a regular sedan.
So have fun, stay safe, and as always, enjoy the drive.
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