GWM Tank 300 Harsh Environment Driving: Snow Chains, Sand, Slopes and Crosswinds
With snow chains fitted, the GWM Tank 300 must not exceed 40 km/h or the chain manufacturer's maximum, whichever is lower, and electronic stability control should be switched off to avoid unnecessary braking and warnings. Chains go on the drive wheels only, never on a single tyre, never on a small spare, and never at low tyre pressure. Recheck them after 0.5 to 1.0 km. On steep ground, drive straight up or straight down rather than across, because the high centre of gravity makes a sideways traverse a rollover risk.
Winter tyres: the five conditions
Local law comes first, then these.
- All four wheels must have winter tyres fitted at the same time
- Same model, size and type across the set, including matching rolling circumference
- Cold season only
- Respect the speed and load ratings marked on the tyres themselves, or you risk damage and an accident
- Never reverse the rotation direction of a tyre
Severely worn winter tyres lose most of their cold weather ability, and aged ones lose it too even when the pattern looks barely worn. Ask your dealer for the replacement standard rather than judging by eye.
Snow chains, from fitting to removal
| Attribute | Fitting | Driving | Removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Drive wheels only, never one tyre alone | Avoid bumps and potholes | As soon as the road is clear of snow |
| Measurement (key figure) | Recheck after 0.5 to 1.0 km | 40 km/h maximum, or lower if the maker says so | Any snow-free surface |
| Vehicle state | Engine off, parking brake applied | ESC switched off | Safe, level place |
| Safety setup | Hazard lights on, warning triangle behind | Slow before every curve | Hazard lights on |
| Risk if ignored | Damage to brake pipeline, suspension, body and tyres | Loss of control | Severe tyre damage and poor handling |
Three fitting rules worth pulling out. Do not fit chains to an emergency or small size spare wheel, do not fit them when tyre pressure is low, and take care not to damage the alloy rim while you work.
If you hear chains knocking against the body or chassis while driving, stop and retighten them. If the noise continues after that, slow down until it stops.
Switching ESC off is deliberate here rather than optional. With chains fitted, the system reads the wheel behaviour as a problem and intervenes when it should not. Our safety systems guide covers the limited situations where turning ESC off is sanctioned.
The snow parking warning that kills people
Shut the engine down when parking on snowy roads.
If the engine runs with snow accumulated around the vehicle, exhaust gas can seep into the cabin and cause severe injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you ever suspect exhaust is entering the vehicle:
- Drive to a ventilated area
- Lower all the windows
- Set the air conditioning to external circulation
- Turn the airflow to maximum to draw fresh air in
This applies to any situation where the exhaust outlet can be blocked or buried, not only deep snow.
Driving technique with a high centre of gravity
The Tank 300 gives you clearance and a good view of the track. The trade is a higher centre of gravity, and that changes several habits.
Avoid high speed, sudden starts, sharp turns, emergency braking and abrupt inputs. Any of these can cause loss of control or a rollover.
Be extra careful with a loaded roof rack. Weight up high raises the centre of gravity again, and the same inputs become riskier.
Slow down in a crosswind. A vehicle with higher ground clearance and a higher centre of gravity is more susceptible to being pushed, and lower speed gives you back control.
On rough ground, do not drive too fast, jump the vehicle or hit objects. Beyond loss of control and rollover, this seriously damages the suspension and chassis.
On a steep slope, go straight up or straight down. Traversing sideways across a steep face is where the high centre of gravity turns into a rollover.
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes off-road. Violent bumps can twist the wheel and injure your hands. Hold the rim.
Before setting off, make sure every occupant is belted and every loose item is secured.
River crossings, briefly
Check the depth of the water and the solidity of the riverbed before entering. Drive slowly and avoid the deep sections. Our wading depth guide covers the 700 mm static limit and the speed bands at each depth.
Before you rejoin the highway
This is the step most people skip in the rush to get home, and it has real consequences.
- Clean mud and small stones off the tyres. At highway speed, material thrown from the tread can seriously damage the windscreen and other components
- Inspect the tread and sidewalls for breakage, because damage there becomes a blowout at speed
- Remove mud and dust from the lights, windows, windscreen and licence plate
- Reinflate the tyres to standard pressure if you aired down, as covered in our tyre pressure guide
The inspection list after sand, mud, water or salt
Work through these once you are home. Our post off-road care guide goes deeper on washing and paint, but this is the mechanical list.
- Horn
- All vehicle lamps
- The underside, for oil and fluid leakage
- The underside, for hay and debris, which are a breakdown and fire hazard
- Differential, transmission and transfer case for water or mud
- Air filter and its lines for water
- Air filter for sand, cleaned promptly
- Radiator, condenser, oil cooler, intercooler and fan for mud and debris
- Generator for water or mud
- Tyre pressure, and the treads and sidewalls for cracks or damage
- Brake performance, by pressing the pedal several times in succession
Carry at least one spare air filter for any trip into dusty country, and check the filter daily while you are out there.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need snow chains on all four wheels? No. Chains go on the drive wheels only. What you must not do is fit a chain to just one tyre.
Why does the manual want ESC off with chains fitted? Chains change how the wheels behave, and the stability system can read that as a fault condition, triggering braking or warnings you do not want.
Can I use winter tyres all year to save swapping them? No. They are specified for cold season use only, and running them outside that shortens their life and their usefulness.
How fast can I drive with chains fitted? Up to 40 km/h, or the chain manufacturer's stated maximum if that figure is lower.
What should I do if the chains start knocking? Stop and retighten them. If the noise persists after retightening, reduce speed until it stops.
Is it safe to idle with the heater on while parked in snow? No. Snow packed around the vehicle can push exhaust gas into the cabin. Shut the engine down.