5 places you should NOT take your two-wheel drive car/SUV to [Video]

SUVs were originally big 4WD (four wheel drive) vehicles meant to get its occupants through the toughest of terrain without being stuck. With time, SUVs started becoming more comfortable and expensive. Switch to present times and we see that the word SUV now has many different meanings. Now 2WD (2 wheel drive) vehicles which mimic a proper SUVs stance and style too are deemed as SUV.

In fact, in most of the countries like India, 2WD SUV and cars are much more popular than 4WD counterparts. This is because 2WD is cheaper to manufacture and it’s not everyday that you would need a 4WD, except if you are a off road fanatic. However, the 2WD vehicles should not put their nose everywhere because they just look rugged. To get you a better idea, Here are five places that you should stay away from if you own a 2WD vehicle.

Beaches

Beaches are a strict no-no for 2WD vehicles. This is because of the loose sand present on a beach, which is a very easy place for vehicles to get stuck. Even 4WD SUVs sometime struggle on sand, leave alone a 2WD vehicle. Unless stated as a driving beach, refrain from getting involved in beach driving. Beaches with clear Driving allowance are not a problem as they have a hard or rocky surface beneath the sand, making driving easy. The video above perfectly explains this. The Scorpio which is stuck on the beach is a proper SUV but this one was a 2WD variant, making it hard for the vehicle to get out.

Slush

We agree that driving through a slush is a fun off road activity, but not so much if you’re on a 2WD vehicle. Slush driving demands high grip levels which is something lacking big time on a 2WD vehicle. As only 2 wheels rotate in a 2WD vehicle, if one of the powered wheel gets stuck then it becomes really hard to get the vehicle out. 4WD, on the other hands, have all the wheels powered so if one or even two wheels get stuck, other wheels can take the load. They also are equipped with many other off road utilities, like differentials which enable all wheels to have the most amount of traction.

Sand

Sand is a clear enemy of 2WD vehicles. Sandy places like dunes etc are among the most dangerous places for your 2WD vehicle to be. This is because sand is very loose and it will immediately sink the vehicle. Unnecessary wheel spin will worsen matters as the car digs more into the ground. Even many 4WD vehicles are not advised to enter places where too much loose sand is present. They can however manage the situation better than their 2WD counterparts because of more traction.

Snow

India is among the countries where snow is a novelty for most of the people, as there are only a few mountainous places where it is in abundance. While it is not a major issue to drive through fresh snow, the real problem starts when the snow gets hard and slippery. Hard core 4WD SUVs also fail to maneuver out of hard snow if the driver is inexperienced. 2WD vehicles don’t stand a chance and they either get stuck or get involved in accidents owing to loss of grip. 4WD vehicles distribute power to all the four wheels and keeping the balance intact with the help of differentials and other tech. These things however don’t come with 2WD vehicles, so it is best to keep off snow if you can.

Marshes

Marsh lands are a mix of puddles, light swamps and slush, making them a challenge in themselves. It may not seem difficult from a distance as the ground is not very broken but once you take your vehicle there, all hell breaks loose. 2WD vehicles often get stuck royally in these areas. While 4WD can get through marshes, it ain’t a child’s play. No wonder why tractors and other farm machinery have such big, groovy tyres and offer doles of torque.