Drive difficult terrain
Choose a range, keep a controlled line, and know when a recovery tool is the better option.
High Range or Low Range?
The game’s own guide recommends Low Range on rough ground and uphill, then High Range on regular terrain to gain speed. Range selection is separate from choosing automatic or manual transmission. Automatic is the game’s suggested starting point for a relaxed drive; manual gives you more control over shifts.
| Situation | Starting choice | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Rough climb or careful crawl | Low Range | A controlled line and steady progress |
| Firm, open ground | High Range | Visibility and room to stop |
| Wheels spin but the vehicle barely moves | Reduce throttle; try Low Range | Grip and a different approach |
| Vehicle is grounded or firmly wedged | Stop and use recovery tools | Clearance and a safe anchor |
The range recommendation comes from in-game tips. The checks in this table are practical starting points, not a claim that a particular vehicle can complete every slope.
See the game’s driving tips and compare vehicles for the underlying choices.
Player reports · Checked October 17, 2026. High and Low Range discussion
When more throttle stops helping
Watch the ground covered, not just the engine speed. If the wheels keep spinning without useful movement, ease off, straighten the approach and try a gentler input. Low Range can make a slow maneuver easier to manage; it does not create unlimited grip.
Grip, clearance and engine power solve different problems. Check tires and the route before spending everything on engine stages. The upgrade advisor explains its priorities and budget; its suggestions are a planning heuristic, not a measured fastest build.
Approach a steep slope
- Look at the route and identify somewhere to stop or recover before driving onto it.
- Begin the rough climb in Low Range. Favor a stable approach and small steering corrections rather than an abrupt turn across the slope.
- If you lose progress, stop before repeated wheelspin leaves you in a worse position. Try a different line, better traction or a winch anchor.
- For a descent, choose a slow approach before the drop and leave room to correct. Avoid treating an unfamiliar trail as a speed run.
These are conservative route-planning suggestions, not a verified driving line for a named trail. Use a trail guide for its known unlock and preparation notes.
When are planks useful?
The game describes planks as a pair placed nearby to help cross gaps or gain traction on rough terrain. Try them where both ends can rest securely and the spacing lines up with your wheels. Approach slowly and check that the vehicle can stay on them.
Players disagree about their usefulness and report sliding off poorly placed planks. They may help with a short gap or ledge, but a nearby anchor, another approach or a detour can be simpler. Do not assume the planks form a stable bridge across an arbitrary drop.
Player reports · Checked October 17, 2026. Player experiences with planks
Know when to recover
A winch, anchor or repair tool can solve a problem that more engine power cannot. If you are rolled, submerged or firmly stuck, follow recovery by situation. A discovered cabin remains a fallback when your tools cannot recover the vehicle.
For pulling rocks rather than vehicles, use the meteorite extraction guide; player reports about throttle and pulling angles remain labeled as advice.