Off-Roading 101: What to Look for in Your Next Adventure Ride

So, you're ready to take on the great outdoors, leave the pavement behind, and explore the wild? That’s awesome! But before you go charging through the wilderness, you’ll need the right set of wheels to handle all the bumps, rocks, and mud Mother Nature can throw at you. Lucky for you, Subaru has your back with some serious off-road capability. Let’s break down the must-have features for your future off-road beast – with a little bit of humor along the way.

All-Terrain Tires

You wouldn’t go hiking in flip-flops, right? Well, the same logic applies to off-roading. Sure, your regular tires are great for zipping around town, but when you’re up against mud, sand, or snow, all-terrain tires are your best friend. These bad boys grip onto whatever surface you throw at them like a cat clinging to the back of your couch. No more slip-sliding through the trails – just pure, confident traction.

Off-Road Protection

When you take your vehicle off-road, there’s no telling what kind of gnarly stuff you’ll run into (literally). Tree stumps, rocks, and random debris are just waiting to mess with your car’s shiny paint job. That’s why we pack our vehicles with off-road protection. Skid plates, reinforced bumpers, and rugged body cladding are like putting your car in full medieval armor – minus the sword, of course. It’s all about keeping your ride looking good while surviving those unexpected bumps and scrapes.

Locking Differentials

Imagine this: one wheel is stuck in the mud, spinning uselessly, while the others are on solid ground doing nothing. Frustrating, right? That’s where locking differentials come in. They make sure all your wheels work together at the same speed, like synchronized swimmers – except, you know, less graceful and more useful when you’re trying not to get stuck halfway up a hill.

Four-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive

Four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) are like your vehicle’s superpowers. When the going gets tough, these systems make sure power is sent to all four wheels, so you don’t end up stranded on a muddy trail, waiting for a tow truck (which, let’s face it, probably isn’t coming anytime soon). Whether you’re climbing a mountain or cruising through snow, 4WD and AWD are your go-to for serious off-road fun.

Off-Road Suspension

Off-roading can be a bumpy ride – literally. But don’t worry; your car’s suspension is there to cushion the blow. And when you’re off-roading, you need a special kind of suspension that can handle all those dips and drops without turning your ride into a chiropractic emergency. Off-road suspension keeps things smooth, even when the trail is anything but.

Ground Clearance

The higher your car sits, the better it can avoid all those obstacles lurking on the ground, like rocks, logs, or overly ambitious squirrels. Ground clearance is the space between your vehicle’s underbelly and the earth, and when you’re off-roading, you want that space to be as big as possible. Think of it like walking on stilts – except, you know, without the risk of toppling over.

Approach, Break-Over, and Departure Angles

Remember those geometry lessons you swore you’d never use? Surprise! They matter here. Your approach angle is how steep a hill you can climb without smacking your bumper. Break-over angle is how sharp a crest you can pass without scraping your car’s belly. And the departure angle? That’s all about descending a hill without leaving your rear bumper behind. So yeah, angles equal survival.

Water Fording Depth

Ever dream of driving through a stream like some sort of modern-day explorer? Well, water fording depth is the spec that tells you how deep your vehicle can go without turning into a submarine. Some vehicles are equipped to handle shallow waters, so you can wade through streams without panicking about whether your car will make it to the other side.

Find Your Off-Road Adventure Buddy at Briggs Subaru of Topeka in Topeka, KS

Now that you’re armed with all the off-road lingo, it’s time to find the perfect ride to tackle your next adventure. Whether you’re chasing sunsets in the mountains or just want to look cool at the grocery store, Briggs Subaru of Topeka has a vehicle that’s up for the challenge, like the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness. Come see us in Topeka, KS, and we’ll hook you up with the off-road vehicle of your dreams – no compass required.