Walk it first and check for huge sharp rocks or tree stumps. But most shit smaller than a foot-long sharp shard oughta be drive-overable. Walk it mainly to find the drive-aroundable route for bigger stuff. (One reason to keep one's grass cut short[ish]; lots of folks nowadays saying there aren't all that many more.)
That's about not damaging the car. The other risk is of course getting stuck; all reason says that's more a question of tyres than vehicle. The (not De*) Niro is front-wheel-drive, AIUI, but four-wheel-drive shouldn't be required. I mean, sure, if your backyard is a plowed field, then at least don't do it on a very rainy day and with ultra-slippery summer racing slicks... Hm, come to think of it: Besides wet dirt, wet grass is also slippery as fuck. (The other reason for cutting it.)
[EDIT:] Oops, forgot the septic tank. Whaddayamean "over a septic tank"? Is there no way around it?!? You're talking old-fashioned concrete thingy then, I take it? Here in the Nordics they're made all outta plastic nowadays, and I certainly wouldn't drive over plastic. Check the specs on that fucker, or find a route around it. [/EDIT]
All in all: Walk it first to check for big hidden obstacles to avoid, don't pick a very wet day when shit is more slippery than usual, and you should be fine -- except for the septic tank. Check that thoroughly.
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*: As Robert learns in the TV commercials, IIRC.
That's about not damaging the car. The other risk is of course getting stuck; all reason says that's more a question of tyres than vehicle. The (not De*) Niro is front-wheel-drive, AIUI, but four-wheel-drive shouldn't be required. I mean, sure, if your backyard is a plowed field, then at least don't do it on a very rainy day and with ultra-slippery summer racing slicks... Hm, come to think of it: Besides wet dirt, wet grass is also slippery as fuck. (The other reason for cutting it.)
[EDIT:] Oops, forgot the septic tank. Whaddayamean "over a septic tank"? Is there no way around it?!? You're talking old-fashioned concrete thingy then, I take it? Here in the Nordics they're made all outta plastic nowadays, and I certainly wouldn't drive over plastic. Check the specs on that fucker, or find a route around it. [/EDIT]
All in all: Walk it first to check for big hidden obstacles to avoid, don't pick a very wet day when shit is more slippery than usual, and you should be fine -- except for the septic tank. Check that thoroughly.
___
*: As Robert learns in the TV commercials, IIRC.