It is not a secret that there is always something new to learn regardless how much 4WD experience someone already poses. Add to that having a new car that has just been introduced in Australia that nobody knows really how (good) it performs in challenging situations.
I also wanted to get my wife involved more in 4WD-ing so thought that a training course might lift her confidence and boost enjoyment of the off-road experience.
I booked a bush driving course with one of the local well established training providers. It was a full day training course in the hills east of Perth that included bush driving through some rough, rugged, steep and loose terrain. That was a perfect opportunity to safely play with all available traction features in FJ Cruiser.
The course covered :
- 4WD Systems & Selection
- Gravel Road Driving
- High & Low Range selection & use
- Automatic & Manual Techniques
- Rutted Tracks
- Uneven Rocky Crossings
- Mud Tracks (I'm not fan of cleaning the mud afterwards so skipped this one)
- Steep Ascents
- Steep Descents
- Wheel placement techniques
- Using Spotters
- 4wd vehicle features (Where Fitted) including Axle Diff Locks, Traction Control & ESC
There were around 10ish cars. Almost all popular brands were represented ie. SWB and LWD Jeep Wrangler, new Mazda BT-50, two Toyota Hilux-es, Mitsubishi Challender, etc.
After a welcome speech by two instructors and a short overview of the plan for the day, we departed to the famous Powerline Track. We stopped at a flat ground with few dried ruts used to demonstrate clearance and basic bits about traction control. This was really an easy start.
Heading into bush via some local tracks which are not normally publicly accessible.
The first serious obstacle was a rutty climb where we supposed to test how the vehicle behaviour differs when different traction features were used.
FJ Cruiser done this so effortlessly that almost spoiled spectators enjoyment and expectations to see some struggles.
The next obstacle was used to demonstrate importance of having a good spotter when driving over large rocks.
We continued into bush and stopped at a dry but very steep gully. I estimate side slopes were a bit over 40deg. This was something that I was personally looking for as an opportunity to push Calimero and see how the car and tyres will perform. I dropped tyre pressure to about 22 PSI hoping to get most of traction out of Mickey Thompson STZ.
Early afternoon we stopped for a lunch at a nice spot in the local woodland.
It was a nice day out and fully justified the money spent. FJ Cruiser was undoubtedly one of the most capable vehicles on that day and did everything with so little effort.
