The world is a fun place. And you can see more of it in a 4x4. Driving a 4x4 is a great way to get around that also gives you the opportunity to do some exploring.

Whether in the city, suburbia, or in the country you can see the explosion of 4x4 vehicles over the years. Most vehicle manufacturers now make some version of a four wheel drive vehicle. There are all kinds of four wheel drive vehicles but for now lets focus on the SUV, pick-up truck and jeep.

These are the best choices for a good combination of street capabilities, all weather handling, and the option of off-road wheeling. Four wheel drive SUV’s, pick-ups and jeeps are vehicles you see on the streets every day. When in their two wheel drive mode they handle well for daily driving and are for the most part easy to park.

When the weather gets rough they quickly convert to a vehicle that can better handle bad weather. In the rain, four wheel drive gives you added traction and the body sits higher for going through puddles and minor flooding. They handle snow like a charm, giving you the opportunity to get out on those snowy winter days. Remember though that four wheel drive does not mean four wheel stop. What I’m saying here is to still remember to give yourself additional braking room in bad weather. And don’t forget, ice is ice. Four wheel drive or not, your vehicle will slide on the ice.

Now for the most fun – off road driving. There are all kinds of off-roading for 4x4’s. The basic four wheel drive SUV, pick-up, or jeep can handle many of them. My brother lives out in the boonies and until a few years ago when they did a little road improvement, I needed my 4x4 to get to his house (and depending on the weather, I still do). But what great fun it was riding up his steep dirt road, navigating the ditches and just feeling the power of that 4x4 riding over such rough terrain!

I look forward to sharing more with you about 4x4’s in our time to come – driving tips for both on-road and off-road, maintenance, the more extreme side of four wheeling, and to answer any questions you may have. Driving a 4x4 is exciting and I hope we can share in that excitement as we travel down the roads and trails together.