Hello. My name is Joe Summers. Welcome to my website about purchasing a vehicle from new and used auto dealers. When it comes time to buy your next vehicle, it really pays to know what to expect. With clear expectations in mind, you can navigate the buying process with confidence and get a great deal on a clean, functional vehicle. Missteps in the process, however, can leave you with a serious case of buyer’s remorse and a vehicle that just doesn’t live up to your expectations. So, spend your time on my site to learn everything you need to know about purchasing a car from new and used auto dealers.
Features Of A Good Off-Road Car
The primary function of a car determines the type of car you should buy. For example, if you are in the market for an off-road car, then the following features should be among the top in your considerations.
Strong Suspension System
The suspension refers to different parts that connect the car to the road. The suspension system comprises different parts such as the wheels, tires, struts, shocks, springs, and linkages, among others. The suspension system of an off-road car should be strong enough so that it doesn't break down if the car is crawling over rocks. Otherwise, you will be replacing springs and struts every other week.
Powerful Engine
The driving environment determines the power your car needs to move. Driving through potholes, over rocks, or up a hillside, for example, require more power than driving on a smooth road. Since those are the things you will meet when driving off-road, you need a powerful engine for your off-road car.
A car engine's power is measured in terms of horsepower and torque. Horsepower is the raw power of the engine while torque is the rotational power of the engine. For example, you need a higher torque to move a car up an incline than to move the car on a flat surface.
Low Range
Low range puts the car into the lower gears, which are slower but more powerful than the higher gears. The low range works by giving the car more torque so that it can tackle difficult terrain. This is what you need, for example, to climb a rocky hill.
Locking Differential
A differential is the part of the car that splits power from the engine, or torque, so that each wheel can spin at a different or independent speed. A locking differential, as the name suggests, matches the torque on both wheels so that they can spin with the same force and at the same speed. This is useful since it allows both wheels to continue spinning even if one side has lost traction, for example, over slippery surfaces.
Good Ground Clearance
The ground clearance is the distance between the lowest part of the car and the ground when the car is on flat ground. If your car has poor ground clearance, then you will find it difficult to navigate anything other than a flat road. You will scratch and bang the car, for example, when driving over rocky ground. Therefore, analyze the ground clearances of your potential purchase and choose one with a good ground clearance that can surmount the obstacles you are likely to meet on your off-road adventures.
Reach out to a dealer of off-road cars, such as Ford SUVs, to learn more.