While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You
may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
--
such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a “mirrored surface”
--
and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember:
Any
anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving
Guidelines
This
multipurpose passenger vehicle is defied
as
a utility
vehicle in Consumer Information Regulations issued by
the National Highway Trafpc Safety Administration
(NHTSA) of the United States Department of
Transportation. Utility vehicles have higher ground
clearance and a narrower track to make them capable of
performing in a wide variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give them a higher center of
gravity than ordinary cars.
An
advantage of the higher
ground clearance is a better view of the road allowing you
to anticipate problems. They are not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as conventional
two-wheel-drive vehicles any more than low-slung
sports
cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. If at
all
possible, avoid sharp
turns
or abrupt
maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate
this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control
or vehicle rollover.
Off-Road
Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide
is
for vehicles that have
four-wheel drive.
Also, see “Anti-Lock Brakes”
in
the Index.
If your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive, you
shouldn’t drive off-road unless you’re on
a
level,
solid surface.
Off-road driving can
be
great
fun.
But
it does have some
definite hazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes aren’t
marked. Curves aren’t banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill. In
short, you’ve gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills.
And
that’s
why it’s very important that you read this guide. You’ll
find many driving tips
and
suggestions. These will help
make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable.
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