Gravel and corrugations

Gravel and dirt roads are where most overlanding miles are covered, and they punish tires, bolts and tempers. A few simple habits make them safer and far more comfortable.

These notes cover the 5-door Jimny in India. Speeds are guidance only, because the safe speed depends on the surface, your load and what you can see ahead.

By Gypsy Overlanding Family ®

20-23psi on longgravel, as a startSmoothsteering,braking, throttleCheckbolts and tiresafterward
Three habits for gravel: a little less pressure, smooth inputs, and a check afterward.

The short answer

Drop your pressure a little, slow down more than feels necessary, keep your inputs smooth, and look well ahead. Braking and steering hard on loose stones is how most gravel crashes start, and corrugations loosen bolts, so check the car afterward.

Do

  • Lower the pressure a little for long gravel
  • Keep a safe speed, and look far ahead
  • Brake early and gently, in a straight line
  • Keep a long gap behind the vehicle in front

Do not

  • Brake hard or turn hard on loose stones
  • Overdrive your sight distance
  • Follow dust clouds closely
  • Forget to reinflate for the road

Tire pressure on gravel

Owners and 4x4 writers report running about 20 to 23 psi (roughly 140 to 160 kPa) on long gravel stretches with the Jimny, against 26 psi on the road. The lower pressure softens the ride and cuts punctures, but it also means you should slow down. See the tire pressures guide.

Reinflate for the road. Aired-down tires overheat and handle badly on tarmac, so bring a compressor.

Driving on loose surfaces

  • Sight distance sets your speed. You must be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
  • Brake early and straight. Hard braking locks wheels on loose stones.
  • Steer gently. Sudden steering makes the front end wash out.
  • Keep to the firmer line, usually where other tires have packed it down.
  • Watch for livestock, people and blind bends, which are common on Indian rural roads.
  • Slow right down for stones and ruts that could damage tires or the underbody.

Corrugations

Corrugations are regular ridges across the road. At low speed they shake the car, and at higher speed the wheels skip across the tops, which can reduce grip. Both can loosen bolts and damage shocks, bushes and fittings.

  • Find the speed that feels smooth, but do not go faster than you can control.
  • Move to a smoother line if there is one, with care.
  • Slow down for corners. Grip is poor where the surface is ridged.
  • Check bolts, guards and the load after a long corrugated stretch.

Dust and convoys

Dust hides the road and clogs air filters. Leave a long gap behind the vehicle ahead, and keep the windows up. In a convoy, spread out so you can see, and keep the lights on. Clean the air filter more often after dusty trips.

Pick your surface

Tap the road in front of you to see how to drive it.

Tap a surface (5 to try)

How to drive Fine gravel

Pressure and speed
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Technique
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Common mistakes

  • Driving faster than you can see. Stopping distance on loose stones is long.
  • Braking hard. Locked wheels slide on gravel.
  • Staying at road pressure. It rides harshly and punctures more.
  • Following dust too closely. You cannot see hazards.
  • Forgetting to reinflate. Soft tires wear and overheat on tarmac.
  • Skipping the post-trip check. Corrugations loosen bolts.
A final word. Loose surfaces reduce grip dramatically, and rural roads often have people, animals and unmarked hazards. This is general guidance. Drive to the conditions and within your own limits.