Here are a few tips to keep you moving across our beautiful deserts. Respect the desert and follow some commonsense rules, however, and your travels should be safe and stress free.
Make sure your vehicle is in top operating condition before leaving home.
Let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return.
Carry supplies you may need in an emergency, including five gallons of water, radiator hoses, a fan belt, fuses, oil and a toolkit.
Don’t count on your cell phone to bail you out of trouble. Most remote areas have no cellular coverage.
Keep your tires at normal pressure. Soft tires generate heat, which can lead to a blowout. If you think your tires are riding hard, stop for a few minutes — you’ll find they cool off quickly.
Keep an eye on your gas, oil and engine temperature gauges. Service stations in many areas are few and far apart.
Road grades can be deceptive and lead to engine overheating. On warm days, downshift to a gear that will let you accelerate on grades, and drive slowly to avoid overheating.
Turn off the AC if your temperature gauge indicates you’re close to overheating.
Should you overheat, pull off the road but don’t turn off the engine. Turn on the heater, and with the engine at fast idle, slowly pour water over the radiator core. Refill the radiator only after the engine has cooled. Keep the engine running the entire time.
If your vehicle breaks down, stay with it and wait for help to arrive.
Heading off-pavement? Four-wheel drive is seldom necessary except for deep sand, very rough roads or an extremely steep grade. High clearance, sturdy tires and good common sense matter far more.
