Smooth Ride Ahead: Tips for Dealing with Rough Roads

• a) Slow and steady wins this race.

  You shouldn’t drive roughly on rough roads. Switch to the defense mode, instead. Drive slowly and cautiously on bad-tempered[1] [2]  roads. This will allow you to spot a bump or a deep pothole well in time to avoid it. If possible, drive around it, or slow down as you go over it.

  Speeding over a bumpy area damages your vehicle and can even lead to irreparable tyre damage. If the road is muddy or dusty, speeding can lead to vehicle skidding. Plus, it’s uncomfortable for the occupants of the car as you might end up bumping your head against the car’s roof.

• b) Know your vehicle.

  Take out some time to understand how your vehicle functions. Find out the mechanism on which it operates - is it a front-wheel-drive setup or a rear-wheel-drive setup? Or is your car an all-wheel-drive vehicle? This knowledge will help you understand how your vehicle will perform on rough roads.

  Indians usually drive vehicles with a rear-wheel-drive mechanism. Such cars can get stuck in sandy or rocky areas. Whereas, the other two drive setups can perform more efficiently under harsh conditions. 

• Make extra adjustments for your vehicle.

  If you frequently drive through rough roads, some minor changes to your vehicle can add some much-needed relief to otherwise uneasy drives. Opt for better quality shock absorbers that will help lessen the impact filtering into the cabin. This will make the driving experience much more comfortable for you as well as the other passengers.

• Switch to more specific tyres.

  Some tyres are mainly designed to endure severe road conditions. Such tyres come with a unique tread design that can tackle rough surfaces and provide adequate grip. They feature a robust sidewall structure that can withstand any shock on uneven terrains.

  You can purchase these tyres online. Alternatively, if you wish to see them in the flesh first, you can search for “tyre shop near me” or “tyre dealers near me” online and decide which one to visit accordingly.

• Keep an emergency kit handy.

  One can never be too cautious while tackling rough roads. You might get stranded mid-journey due to a punctured or burst tyre. Don’t rule anything out when dealing with severe road conditions. Prepare an emergency kit. Add necessary tools such as jumper cables, tyre jack, shovel, spare tyre, first aid box, etc.

  Other items that can keep you going during an emergency are a fully-charged phone, water bottle, and ready to eat food items.

• So, go on, conquer the rough roads, smoothly.