Go off-road with BFGoodrich Tires

If you are heading off-road, you need safety, reliability, and performance from your 4x4 tires. Our engineers design BFGoodrich 4WD tires to withstand the most demanding off-road conditions.

The Philippines presents a unique mix of driving conditions, including volcanic soil and mountain trails where traction is essential, and a prolonged wet season that brings risks of flash flooding and deep, challenging mud. Understanding basic four-wheel-driving techniques is necessary to prevent getting stuck in precarious situations.

Driving on Beaches and Coastal Dunes

Exploring the Philippines' beautiful coastlines offers an incredible adventure. However, driving on sand requires patience and control, as the surface can be deceptive.

Maintain steady momentum to allow your tires to roll over the sand instead of digging in.
Balance power and spin by using just enough power to keep the vehicle moving. Excessive acceleration causes the wheels to spin too fast, digging the tire into a rut.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt steering, as this can cause the vehicle to plow or even topple over due to its high center of gravity.

Tire Pressure Gauge: An Essential Tool

We recommend carrying a quality tire pressure gauge on every trip. Lowering your tire pressure increases the tire's footprint, which spreads your vehicle's weight and increases the area of contact to give you better grip on the sand.

Reduce tire pressure in 5 psi increments until you achieve ideal traction.
Maintain a minimum tire pressure of 20 psi.
Drive slowly and for short distances to prevent overheating if you drive on roads with low tire pressure (and do not have an air compressor). At 20 psi, your speed should not exceed 25 kph.

Climbing Over Rocks, Logs, and Ditches

Conquering rocky terrain demands that you adapt your driving habits and drive with precision.

To maintain continuous traction, approach large obstacles at an angle so that only one tire engages at a time. This strategy leaves the other three tires on solid ground to provide grip.
To protect your vehicle's undercarriage, drive over obstacles with only one tire contacting the object.
Be aware that extreme obstacles can cause your vehicle to become cross-axled, lifting diagonally opposite wheels off the ground and resulting in a loss of drive.

Driving Up Steep Hills and Mountain Trails

Climbing steep trails requires careful planning and controlled momentum to ensure your safety.

Before committing to a climb, step outside and check the track for obstacles and ensure there is a clear exit at the top. Checking can prevent unexpected hazards.
Use the highest gear the vehicle can comfortably handle. If the gear is too low, the tires will spin, and if it's too high, you will lose necessary power. We advise starting in 2nd gear, low ratio.
Gauge your momentum and climb at a walking pace. Never change gear or direction once you have committed to the hill.
Always prepare for a failed climb and have an escape plan.

Techniques for Forced Descents (Manual Vehicles)

If you lose momentum and start rolling backwards, knowing how to safely recover from a stall is vital. Putting your foot on the clutch removes engine braking and allows gravity to take over, which creates a dangerous situation.

Stop by smoothly pressing the foot brake before pulling the hand brake. The vehicle acts against the brake, the hand brake, and the transmission (still in gear).
Shift into reverse by gently pressing the clutch and shifting into reverse gear (low range). Then slowly take your foot off the clutch.
To make a controlled descent, start with foot and hand brakes engaged and slowly release the hand brake. Then slowly lift your foot to allow the low gear to control your slow descent.

Driving in Deep Mud and Crossing Water

The rainy season in the Philippines often turns dirt tracks into challenging mud bogs and creates difficult water crossings.

Driving in Deep Mud

We recommend equipping your vehicle with specialized mud tires. The goal is to use your vehicle's full weight to push the tires through the mud to grip onto the firm ground underneath.

Always check your route first and gauge how deep the mud is. Ruts deeper than your vehicle's axle clearance risk high-centering the vehicle.
Approach mud in 4WD and low gear. Build steady momentum to carry you through, and be prepared for sudden deceleration upon contact with water and mud.
Keep a steady pace the whole way through and aim for the track's high points if possible.
If you get stuck, clear your tire treads by shifting between first and reverse gears to rock your vehicle, or spin the wheels slightly to help clean the tire tread and restore traction.
Carry a winch or recovery gear on your vehicle in case you get seriously stuck.

Mud Tire Pressure

There is no perfect tire pressure for mud, but if the pressure is too low, your vehicle's weight spreads too much, which prevents the tires from digging down to find firm ground. We recommend a starting pressure of no less than 20 psi and a speed limit of 20 kph.

Crossing Water and Rivers

Many trails in the Philippines require crossing rivers or flooded tracks. We urge you to treat these crossings with extreme caution, as water current and depth can be deceiving.

Never drive into water without assessing it. If possible, walk the crossing first to check the current, depth, and what kind of riverbed lies beneath (mud, rock, or gravel).
Maintain a steady, slow speed to create a gentle bow wave at your vehicle's front. The wave effectively lowers the water level around the engine bay, protecting the electrical components.
Post-crossing, drive a short distance while lightly pressing the brake to restore braking efficiency, as your brake pads will be wet.

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