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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 defined as a utility
vehicle in Consumer Information Regulations issued by
the National Highway Traffic 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 sarne 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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