Desert Driving Experience

Today I specifically went to Chaobai River to observe everyone’s driving. With the desert drive just two weeks away, I shared some tips with a few fellow drivers on-site. However, some vehicles left early. To reinforce these points, I’ve compiled them into writing. Those heading to the desert, please internalize these key techniques and master them.

Basic Knowledge:
1. Turn off VDC. It’s located at the driver’s left knee, the rightmost of the four buttons, labeled VDC OFF. Normally, VDC helps maintain vehicle balance and stability by distributing power to the brakes, suspension, and tires evenly. In special conditions like curves or slippery roads, if the car deviates from the ideal path, VDC takes corrective action within milliseconds to stabilize the vehicle and prevent slippage due to uneven power distribution. But in the desert, this function can hinder your driving—we want power directed to the tire that needs grip the most, not evenly distributed. So, it needs to be turned off.
2. Switch drive mode to AUTO 4WD. I’ve tested it, and AUTO 4WD is the most suitable for desert driving. Some people prefer locking into 4WD Hi, thinking it’s more reliable, but our 4WD system is electronically coupled. If kept locked for too long, especially in high temperatures, it may disengage automatically, leaving the rear wheels without drive power, which isn’t ideal for prolonged driving. Therefore, AUTO 4WD is more stable and appropriate.
3. Once in the desert, deflate the front tires to 0.8 bar and the rear tires to 1.0 bar. This increases traction.
4. Turn the steering wheel gently and slowly.
5. After driving at high RPMs in the desert, don’t shut off the engine immediately. Let the electric fan and water circulation system run for a while longer—this helps cool the vehicle better and prevents engine overheating that could damage the valves.

Starting Off:
1. When parking, try to find a small slope and park facing downhill. This makes starting easier.
2. Don’t floor the gas pedal when starting—especially with a manual transmission. Flooring it can cause the vehicle to dip forward, making a smooth start difficult. The correct method is to wait until the RPM stabilizes after ignition, then gently feed in the throttle and move off smoothly.
3. For starting in soft sand or after getting stuck: Keep the wheels straight. After ignition and once the RPM stabilizes: (Manual Transmission): Press the clutch, slowly feed in the throttle, and when the RPM reaches around 1500–2000, quickly lift the clutch slightly while maintaining throttle pressure—let the car surge forward as you start moving. (Automatic Transmission): Press the brake with one foot, gently feed in the throttle with the other, and when the RPM reaches around 1500, quickly release the brake—let the car surge forward as you start moving.
Driving:
1. Keep a long distance from the vehicle in front—ideally 30–50 meters or more. This gives you enough time and space to react if the car ahead gets stuck or fails to climb a slope.
2. Maintain a steady pace. Don’t drive erratically—especially on seemingly flat sand, where hidden small dunes or pits can cause sudden “bounces” if hit, potentially damaging the radiator or engine belt. A reminder: accidents rarely happen in obviously dangerous areas (because everyone focuses intensely), but often occur when you let your guard down—in the final stretch of the desert drive!! (Because: 1. The road is relatively smooth, so speed increases; 2. You’re reluctant to leave, feeling you haven’t had enough fun, and become more reckless.) Team leaders, please remind everyone via radio during this phase!!
3. Shift gears at high RPMs—especially with a manual. Generally keep the engine at around 3000 RPM while driving, and shift at around 4000 RPM.
4. Don’t grip the steering wheel rigidly. Let it move subtly with the sand’s flow—turn it gently left and right (about 1/4 turn) to guide the direction following the sand’s movement.
Descending Steep Dunes:
1. For beginners, try to keep the tires straight and follow the dune ridge downward—don’t turn the wheel.
2. No matter how scared you are, never slam the brakes. If you feel the speed is too high, use “pulse braking”—tap the brakes instead of holding them down.
3. If you experience slight sliding or fishtailing, give it some gas—the traction will help straighten the vehicle.
Climbing Steep Dunes:
1. For big sand dunes, experienced drivers don’t attempt to clear them in one go. Usually, they make an initial run, getting about 3/4 of the way up. This helps assess: 1. Whether the vehicle’s approach angle is sufficient; 2. Whether the slope is stable; 3. How much throttle/power is needed to make it up.
2. If you don’t make it, reverse to gain more runway and try again. When reversing, keep it straight—no sudden steering. Especially when reversing, it’s easy to lose track of wheel direction and not know whether they’re aligned.
3. On big sand slopes, team leaders usually guide you via walkie-talkie from the dune ridges. Trust their instructions. If they tell you to ease off the throttle (and not brake), it’s usually because the vehicle’s B-pillar has reached the highest point.
4. For uncertain slopes (where you can’t see what’s on the other side), it’s better to stop and scout on foot than to charge up recklessly.
Getting Stuck:
1. If you lack power or get stuck in soft sand, don’t spin your wheels in place. The most effective method is to shift into reverse and back straight out along your own tire tracks. The tracks are firmer from being driven over, and reverse gear provides more torque than first gear.
2. If you stall after getting stuck, wait until the RPM stabilizes before driving again—don’t try to move off immediately with an unstable engine and insufficient power output.
3. Keep the tires straight—driving in a straight line creates the least friction between the tires and the sand.
4. If you need rescue, first use the radio to inform nearby vehicles of your location, and try to keep everyone inside the vehicle rather than wandering around. The stuck area is either soft sand or on a slope, and rescue vehicles will accelerate toward you to help. They’ll ensure they’re within the safe working range of the tow rope, so they’ll park relatively close to your vehicle. To avoid danger, it’s best to stay inside the vehicle where it’s safer. If you do exit, find a high point to stand and make yourself visible to the rescuers from a distance.

The above is just based on my own experience. Everyone should adjust their approach according to their own driving skills after gaining firsthand experience.
Although I often talk about the dangers of the desert in daily life, it’s to encourage everyone to take the challenges seriously, heighten their awareness of risks, and be prepared for emergencies. What I usually describe are the most extreme scenarios—but who can guarantee they won’t happen? The desert is a lot of fun, otherwise it wouldn’t be so captivating to me.

Reminder:
1. The desert is an enjoyment for drivers, but often a hardship for passengers (due to bumps, fatigue, dry heat, and dizziness from constant turning). So be sure to set the right expectations with your family before setting off. Some may fall in love with the desert after just one trip, while others may vow never to return to this godforsaken place. I don’t want any of our fellow drivers to end up in family conflicts over a single trip.
2. Protect your vehicle—experience it first, then push your limits. Only after fully understanding the terrain and your vehicle can you explore different ways of driving.
3. No matter what kind of terrain or weather you’re driving in, always remember: you control the vehicle, not the other way around.
4. Trust the instructions, follow the team leader, and don’t act recklessly or rush ahead.

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