All new cars have power steering. Many older ones have been converted. Power steering makes steering so much easier. However, it leads to a bad habit if you use your vehicle off-road: turning the steering wheel while the car is not moving. Most of us do it every day. Paved roads allow us to do that without regret.

Unfortunately for you, you will have to break that habit if you want your off-road vehicle to survive without steering gear damage. I know how hard it is to break old habits. But is an absolute must!

In order to form the new habit, you will have to start implementing this new technique right after you read this. It is not enough when you tell yourself : "I'll do it when I get there." You'll forget your good intentions the minute you are exposed to rough terrain.

So what's that new habit?
The steering in off-road vehicles must only be used when the vehicle is moving (tires are rolling)!

Here is how it should look like:


Steering with the palm of your hand is another absolute no-no. Off-road steering needs both hands on the wheel for optimum control.

And one more thing: Whe you make a hard left or right turn and your steering wheel reaches the end of travel (you may even hear a strange hissing sound) - back up the steering wheel two inches or so to relieve the stress on your steering pump.

Here is the reason why you must learn to only steer when the car is moving.