WHEN IT comes to varied terrains, Australia has to be darn close to first place the world over. There are not too many places out there where you can experience 50°C days in the desert, freezing alpine blizzards, and pristine sub-tropical sand islands all within a few days of driving. Each terrain not only requires an entirely different skill set and mentality to tackle, they also require vastly different vehicle preparation to get the most out of them. A temperature range of nearly 60°C is no laughing matter.
Whether it’s a quick reminder for the southern states, or a 101 intro to snow wheeling for our northern brothers and sisters, we’re looking at a quick hit list of everything you need to not only survive the snow this winter, but thrive.
GET THE RIG READY
MOST OF us tend to think of mechanical contraptions as generally infallible; they either work or they don’t. After all, when was the last time you thought about the operating temperature range of your toaster? But your 4x4 is a little different, especially as it ages. The difference between -5°C and 25°C will have a drastic effect on the viscosity or thickness of your engine’s oil; the colder it is, the thicker the oil, and as a result the engine becomes harder to turn over, requiring significantly more oomph from the battery to get it fired up.
VARIED TERRAIN
Be prepared for changing conditions; over a 100m stretch of track you can go from a light dusting to axle-deep snow.
This story is from the August 2023 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
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This story is from the August 2023 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
OUTBACK WATERING HOLES
SINCE OFF TRACK WINES WAS LAUNCHED, OWNERS ANNA AND BRETT FISHER HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 20,000KM UP, DOWN AND ACROSS AUSTRALIA SPRUIKING THEIR WINES-IN-A-CAN MADE FOR CAMPING. THEY DROPPED INTO PLENTY OF OUTBACK PUBS ALONG THE WAY AND THESE ARE THEIR SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FAVOURITES
BIG COUNTRY
THE PILBARA IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF BIG COUNTRY, AND THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE, DO AND ENJOY IN THIS ANCIENT LANDSCAPE IN WA'S RUGGED NORTHWEST
ISLAND PARADISE
NEAR THE TOP OF THE BUCKET LIST FOR EVERY AUSSIE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVER, K'GARI IS PACKED WITH STUNNING HIGHLIGHTS AND BOASTS SOME OF THE BEST BEACH DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY
WEIGHTLIFTING
INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET IT RIGHT
NOW HEAR THIS
THE CEL-FI GO MOBILE BOOSTER WILL KEEP EMAILS, MESSAGES AND CALLS COMING THROUGH TO YOUR DEVICES WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS HEARING CRICKETS
LOOKING BACK
A PAIR OF MSA 4X4 TOWING MIRRORS ENSURE WE ALWAYS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND US WHEN WE HAVE A TRAILER HITCHED TO OUR MITSUBISHI TRITON
TRUCKIN' LIFE
CAN FORD AUSTRALIA'S NEW F-150 BE AN ACCOMPLISHED OFF-ROAD TOURING 4X4?
WHAT LURKS BENEATH
IT MAY LOOK LIKE A FAIRLY STANDARD (IF CLEAN) 80 SERIES, BUT DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER AND YOU'LL FIND A MONSTER BELOW THE SURFACE
EYE OF THE HURRICANE
RAM HAS DUMPED ITS HEMI V8FOR A SIX-CYLINDER, AND IT'S COMING TO AUSTRALIA
GETTING TANKED
GWM EXPANDS IT TANK 4X4 RANGE WITH THE LUXURIOUS TANK 500 WAGON