Things to Consider Before Going for Off-Road Driving

Off-road driving is a great past time for people who want an exhilarating experience. The tracks where people usually go for off-road driving are nowhere near normal roads. Off-road tracks are usually uneven terrain that are made of rocks, gravel, sand, etc. Driving an off-road vehicle is quite different from driving a normal car as the weight distribution is different, braking distances change, there are more gears to fumble around with. Hence before going for off-road driving, there are a few things one should consider:

  1. Training

Due to the change in the terrain, you may find it difficult to drive off-road. You can take a training course to get used to the unique driving style. You should learn a variety of things, ranging from handling the vehicle on different surfaces, to managing gradients, to choosing the right gears for the task ahead.

  1. Vehicle Changes

Normal vehicles aren’t suitable for off-road driving. You can either modify a normal vehicle for off-road purposes or buy an off-road vehicle. You should also make sure that the vehicle’s center of gravity should be higher than normal vehicles. You should also ensure that tire pressure should be lower than your usual vehicle.

  1. Research

You should always do research regarding the routes and conditions where you want to go off-road driving. You should also check if anywhere along the route if any road is closed and also check for any environmental hazards such as river crossings, sand or mud.

  1. Safety

With basic knowledge and preparation, people can manage to complete their trip without any mishap. You should tell someone where you are going, with route details, and when they are likely to be back. So, if you don’t check in with them, they can send help. In case of any mishap, you shouldn’t leave vehicle as a vehicle, can provide shelter and a safe spot to hold out until the help arrives.

  1. Tires and Wheels

You should check the condition of your tires, including the spare. You should make sure the tires are inflated to the proper highway speed pressures. You should also take note of your tread and think about the terrain you will be traveling on will affect the tires.

If you’re looking to buy new wheels, AudioCityUSA is your place to go. The online store offers aftermarket wheels from a plethora of world-renowned brands including Moto Metal, AC Forged, Niche, XD, and various others.

How to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip?

Road trips are a great way for you to take a break from your monotonous schedule. It can be the perfect option to spend time with your family and friends. However, there is also the scary chance that your car can break down hundreds of miles from home. Therefore, you should always prepare before embarking on a road trip. Here are a few tips on how to prepare your car for a road trip:

  1. Fluids

Fluids are the lifeblood of any car. Before you go on a road trip, you should check oil levels of your car and the date you’re due for an oil change. If you’re close to the manufacturer-recommended oil-change interval listed in the owners’ manual, then you should change it.

  1. Brake Pads

Brake pads provide the friction needed to slow and stop your car. They often tear away with use and become too thin to work effectively. Replacing the brake pads can make your road trip safer. Depending on what your brake pads are made of and how they’re used, new brake pads can last anywhere from 25,000 to 70,000 miles.

  1. Air Filters

Cars use air filters to prevent dirt and gunk from entering the engine or interior. Eventually air filters reach capacity and can become clogged, air filters can impact engine performance and fuel economy, as well as affect interior air quality. You should replace air filters about every 12,000 miles, fortunately, they’re usually inexpensive and easy to change.

  1. Engine Belts

You should check the engine belts by turning them sideways with your hand so you can see the friction surface. If the surface is ragged, torn, cracked or showing the fiber cords, you should have them replaced. You should also check the hoses to see if there’s any fluid leaking, especially near joining points.

  1. Tires

Tires are critical to safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency, so it’s important to check their condition. You should check tire pressure before you embark on the road trip and maintain it optimal pressure throughout the trip. You should also rotate your tires every 5000-8000 miles.

If you’re looking to buy new wheels, AudioCityUSA is your place to go. The online store offers aftermarket wheels from a plethora of world-renowned brands including Moto Metal, AC Forged, Niche, XD, and various others.

A Complete Guide to Staggered Wheels

Wheels are critical to the functionality of any car. Most people keep their wheels uniform especially when it comes to size. However, some people use staggered wheels fitment, where rear wheels that are different sizes than those on in the front. They are most commonly used in racing vehicles. Here is a complete guide to staggered wheels:

What are Staggered Wheels?

Staggered fitment means that the size of rear wheels and tires are different than the front wheels and tires. The rear wheels and tires are wider than the front wheels and tires. The main reason why people choose staggered wheels is because beauty and performance. People love the look of the big tread on the back.

Why should you have Staggered Wheels and Tires?

If you have a rear wheel drive vehicle and want maximum performance, then you need to consider the staggered fitment. However, it will NOT work for all wheel drive or front wheel drive vehicles. By putting larger tires on the rear drive wheels, you will get better cornering, better braking, and more power on the road. Those wider rear wheels will mean better traction, especially in the summer and on dry pavement.

Pros of Staggered Wheels

Staggered wheels can have a plethora of benefits including:

  • Better Grip: Staggered wheels can enhance grip for driven wheels. This can help achieve optimal traction and deliver quicker starts from a standstill. With square fitment (all the wheels and tires are the same size), the driven wheels may slip during launch.
  • Improved Traction: The wider rear tires increase the overall surface area that comes in contact with the road. This improves grip on the road, which can improve the car’s acceleration, braking, as well as its high-speed stability.
  • Better Aesthetic Appeal: Larger rear wheels raises the vehicle’s rear, giving it a fierce and aesthetically pleasing look. It appears sleeker and more streamlined.

Cons of Staggered Wheels:

Despite their many benefits, staggered wheels also have a few cons including:

  • Changed Feel: When you use staggered wheels, even the slightest size difference can impact the overall feel of the car. It can take some time to get acclimated to the changed response and behavior of the vehicle especially for first time drivers.
  • Increased Stopping Time and Distance: Due to the rear wheels being significantly larger than the front wheels, they require more powerful brakes to bring them to a halt. Without such brakes, they will continue to roll for a little longer and the stopping time of the car will increase.

Where can You Buy Staggered Wheels?

If you’re looking to buy staggered wheels, you should take a look at the exquisite collection at AudioCityUSA. The company offers aftermarket wheels from a plethora of world-renowned brands including Moto Metal, AC Forged, Niche, Fuel and others.

Enjoy Off-road Driving with Fuel Off-road Wheels from AudioCityUSA

Normal driving on a road can become quite monotonous and ordinary. It doesn’t get people’s heart pumping or allow them to see places that were previously undiscovered by them. Today, people want excitement that driving normally on the road doesn’t provide anymore. Another big concern with normal driving is that its time consuming and tiring due to the inevitable traffic.

If you are looking for something extraordinary to get your adrenaline going and discover amazing places, there are many options like hiking and many more. However, one of the best options while also avoiding traffic is off-road driving.

Off-road driving is driving on unconventional tracks which are made of sand, mud, gravel, riverbeds, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. Off-road driving is done through special vehicles designed specifically for driving on unusual and uneven tracks.

These vehicles have many safety equipment installed and have features like good horsepower, higher ground clearance and many others which are not usually present in normal vehicles. One of the most important features for an off-road vehicle are the wheels. The wheels are designed especially so that they can grip to the uneven surface while at the same time does not get stuck in mud.

If you’re looking to buy top-notch off-road wheels, Fuel is your best choice. Fuel manufactures the best off-road wheels that can fit various types of off-road vehicles. The company produces advanced off-road wheels for an enjoyable ride through any type of terrain. The organization’s use of technology, fitments and beautiful designs has been capturing the attention of off-road enthusiasts.

The company manufactures its wheels in many sizes ranging from 16” to 24”. The wheels are available in various colors stunning finishes including Black, Black Machined, Bronze/Gold, Silver/Machined and various others. Fuel wheels not only give your truck a mean look but are also designed to withstand the conditions of back roads and rugged terrain.

AudioCityUSA.com offers a varied range of wheels from Fuel. Some of the Method wheels offered by the store include 20″ Fuel Wheels D699 Kicker 6 Bronze Center with Black Lip Off-Road Rims, 17″ Fuel Wheels D697 Kicker 6 Matte Black Off-Road Rims, and more.

In addition to Fuel Off-road wheels, the online store also offers off-road wheels from other brands such as XD, RBP, AC Forged, Blaque Diamond and various others.