Summer means adventure, and while there’s plenty of that in the city, sometimes you want to take things off the pavement to see what the great outdoors holds for you! We get it – that’s why we offer a huge selection of new Toyota cars near Charlotte that can easily handle off-road terrain. That’s ALSO why we’ve gotten together some tips to help you get off the highway and into the woods safely and efficiently… so let’s take a closer look at how you can adjust your N Charlotte Toyota safe driving habits to do just that!
Driving off-road requires a tweak of your safe driving habits!
Let’s say you’re heading up into the mountains, and you’re going to be driving on gravel. This isn’t typically too taxing on your Toyota near Charlotte, but you will want to be careful how you handle it. Here are some tips:
- Practice safe driving by paying attention to the road – gravel roads are more likely to have potholes and ruts, which can do damage to your vehicle if you’re driving fast and the holes are deep.
- Go slow and steady – remember that you’re driving on a surface that’s not only uneven, but also that shifts. You’ll need to maintain a slow, constant speed to retain control!
How about sand? Hitting the beach is always a priority in summer, but if you’re taking your N Charlotte Toyota out on the sand you’ll want to adhere to specific driving tactics. Check out these tips:
- GO SLOW. Sand is slippery, regardless of whether you’re driving on fluffy, loose sand or a more compact sandy surface. Driving fast can cause you to lose control and subsequently, get stuck.
- Make your movements smooth and steady. This means avoiding sharp turns, and also avoiding slamming on your gas and brakes. All three can cause you to lurch out of control and get stuck!
- If you do find yourself stuck, don’t hit the gas hard to try and get out! You’ll simply spin your tires and dig yourself and your new Toyota near Charlotte in deeper. Instead, gently hit the gas and try both driving forward and reversing out of the spot. If you can’t seem to get traction, then put a piece of cardboard under your tires!
Learn how to tackle different types of terrain with Toyota of N Charlotte
If you’re thinking about mudding this summer, make sure you use these safe driving tips to keep your N Charlotte Toyota under control:
- Try to gauge how deep the mud is – if it’s more than a few inches, then you might have a problem with retaining traction and getting stuck!
- Never make sudden movements in mud, just like sand, and avoid shifting gears if you can help it. That momentary change can cause you to slide out.
- Remember that mud is slippery, so keep a low speed when driving your Toyota near Charlotte through it so you don’t slide out and end up in a collision.
Want more safe driving tips, or need to find a new Toyota in N Charlotte that’s suitable for your off-road aspirations? Call us today at (888) 883-3797!
