GLOSSARY | From: ASFIR
Air pressure in tires – while driving on sand, it is recommended to decrease the tires' air pressure in order to enable a larger inner surface when contacting the sand. Remember to increase back the pressure when exiting sandy grounds, otherwise the tire might peel off the rim when speeding or turning.
Angles – Approach, departure and chassis (breakover) indicate an off-road vehicle's odds for coping with different obstacles. The wider the angles are, the higher the navigability potential of the vehicle.
Approach angle – The angle between the front wheel's bottom to the edge of a vehicle's front. This angle affects the height of the obstacle which can be climbed by the off-road vehicle without any damage.
Ascents – a synonym for rough inclines or declines spread around the country, testing skills of each and every 4X4 driver. 'Zik' Ascent, 'Mechmal' Ascent, 'Groopit' Ascent, 'Yair' Ascent, 'Amos' Ascent, 'Ashush' Ascent, 'Chatzetzon' Ascent, 'Gedi' Ascent and many more steep ascents are a part of a unique genre of challenging off-road driving.
Axle – the hinge, mounted with two wheels (front or rear axle). It's common to use the term 'axle' for a suspension structure which consists of a pair of wheels constructed over a stiff axle, connected to the chassis with both its ends.
Exhaust – an exhaust pipe, channels the exit of burnt gases out of the engine. When crossing a water passage, it's important to maintain a firm, constant press on the gas pedal in order for the exhaust gases to push the water trying to enter the engine through the exhaust.
Bilstein – The world's best shock absorbers, function by a principle of gas-pressure inside a piston and uniquely adapted to any off-road vehicle model.
Boulder – A term for large rocks located off road.
Breakover angle - also referred to as the chassis angle. The imaginary angle stretched from the chassis' bottom center to the front and rear wheel bottoms, when looking sideways. The sharper the angle (a tall or short chassis), the better the vehicle's chance to go over obstacles such as heaps or rocks, without clashing into them.
Bumper – a shield, mounted widthwise, both on the front and the back of the vehicle. It is functioned to prevent impacts to the chassis during a low-speed accident. Off-road, the vehicle's original bumpers (made of plastic) are usually the first to suffer impacts, and it is recommended to replace the original bumpers with off-road, stronger and more durable metal bumpers. The refurbished bumpers improve both approach and departure angles, allowing easy mounts of a winch, a towing hook or harness rings.
Cairn - a primitive mean for marking off-road paths and trails. A cairn is a manmade pile of stones and its form indicates the driving direction or a blocked road.
Chassis - the bottom part of the vehicle, or the body holding the chassis. Some off-road vehicles are built in a configuration consisting of a "scale chassis" parting from the chassis itself, while most modern off-road vehicles are built in a configuration of structural skin (monocoque) where the chassis and body practically engage into one unit.
Coffee kit – Do not leave the house without one. This is a mandatory kit when going out on a trip.
Crossing – Two diagonal wheels (front right and rear left – or vice versa) situated without a grip. When facing this situation, 4X4 vehicles, lacking a differential-lock or an electronic system designed for prevention of this state by using brakes, will become stuck since the power will shift solely to the slipping wheels.
Cruise control – a system maintaining a permanent speed while driving. Cruise Control system was destined for Americans and Australians who tend to drive hundreds of miles on a plateau, without pressing the acceleration pedal regularly.
Departure angle – an angle, stretched from the bottom rear wheel to the rear end of the chassis. As in the event of the approach angle, a sharper angle will enable the rear end to hit the obstacle after its passage, risking a neutralization of the vehicle or even more so, damaging the rear bumper, tow hook etc.
Differential – a mechanic device, mounted between two wheels in motion or two moving axles, which shifts the force distribution according to demands. For instance, while making a turn, the inner wheel goes through a shorter path than the outer wheel, which is why it must perform a smaller number of turns. The differential's task is to distribute the force between the two wheels, in a manner that will obligate the outer wheel to turn more, instead of the inner wheel.
Differential housing – a term for the elliptical differential 'house', situated mid-axle.
Differential lock – The differential's task is, as stated, to allow different rhythm of motion to any of the wheels mounted on the same axle. While driving off-road, the differential damages the vehicle's navigability, since losing grip of one of the wheels causes the engine force to shift solely to the slipping wheel, leaving the car stuck. The differential lock practically revokes the differential activity, transforming the axle on which it is installed upon into a single hinge where both wheels turn simultaneously.
Double ignition – an ignition setting four wheels of the vehicle into motion. Differing from most private vehicles which use their engine force to set only one pair of wheels into motion (front or rear), most off-road vehicles are equipped with a double ignition system, also known as 4X4 or 4WD, shifting the power to the vehicle's four wheels so it would be able to easily pass over obstacles.
Engine heat – while driving off-road on rough roads, sand dunes or long mounts, the engine tends to heat up. Therefore, it's important to keep monitoring the heat, making sure the vehicle's cooling system works properly.
Filters – an all-inclusive term for the various filters found in a vehicle, such as oil, air etc. while driving off-road, the air filter fills up with dust, gets clogged and loses some of its ability. In such event, engine performance is compromised while gas-consumption significantly rises, therefore any off-road driver must often clean or replace the air filter.
First aid kit – a mandatory, life-saving kit every vehicle should hold.
GPS – a Global Positioning System identifying the vehicle's location by receiving signals from satellites circling around earth. It is possible to determine various locations on a map and navigate towards them with maximum precision, due to the system.
High Pressure Water Cleaner – a type of pressure washer. After muddy trips or a trek in salty water, it's crucial to wash the vehicle, and especially its bottom, with a firm water pressure, to prevent damage to the chassis.
Hi-Lift – a type of mechanical jack, able to lift any corner of the vehicle to a minimal height of a meter. The Hi-Lift is mostly useful in the rescue of a sinking car.
Orthopedic seat – an improved seat for a vehicle, perfectly adjusted to the driver's body shape. Destined for professional drivers, off-road and racing-car drivers, or anyone who spends long hours in front of the steering wheel, interested in keeping healthy. The orthopedic seats are suitable for mounting in all types of vehicles and are easily transferred from one vehicle to another.
Poike – a cooking pot destined for off-road trips and made of cast-iron. This pot is a must-have in every trip. There are numerous recipes for cooking in a poike, based on casseroles stewing for long hours while the pot is placed in the center of a bonfire or on top of burning coals.
Recovery kit – a must-have item for any jeeper. A kit maintaining rescue tow straps, shakels, a digging shovel, compressor and any other helpful gadgets used for rescue when sinking or getting stuck off-road.
Sahara – The world's largest desert; nine million square kilometers of sand dunes bound by 11 North-African countries. Makes for a navigability challenge for every 'jeeper'. During 30 years, Paris-Dakar race took place in Sahara Desert until its organizers submitted to terror threats and transferred the race to South America.
Sand ladder– metal boards used for off-road rescue. The boards are placed under the sunken wheel, providing it with a firm grip and enabling it to overcome the obstacle.
Shakel – a metal ring, enabled for opening or closing. Specifically used for harnessing straps during rescue.
Steer – a ball joint, enabling connection between two parts, providing them with a possibility for either a rotational or several-dimensions motion. One of the most common locations where the joint is being used is in the steering pole.
Suspensions – a system of arms, springs and shock absorbers, connecting the wheels to the chassis, enabling relative motion between the wheels to the chassis – according to the conditions off-road. The suspensions are responsible for driving comfort and vehicle behavior during turns or faulty roads.
Wheelbase – The distance between the two axles is referred to as 'wheelbase'. Generally, the distance indicates the inner space of the passenger cabin, a data directly affecting the breakover angle of the off-road vehicle (see under "angles").
Winch – an electric pulley made of a round wheel, coiled over with a steel cable. The winch is usually installed over the front bumper and functions as a self-rescue assistant in the event of getting stuck or rescuing another vehicle that's been stuck.
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