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3-7. Utility vehicle precautions
3-7.Utility vehicle precautions
Utility vehicle precautions
This vehicle belongs to the utility
vehicle class, which has higher
ground clearance and narrower
tread in relation to the height of its
center of gravity.
Utility vehicle feature
Specific design characteristics give
it a higher center of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehi-
cle design feature causes this type
of vehicle to be more likely to roll-
over. Utility vehicles have a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
An advantage of the higher ground
clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate
problems.
It is not designed for cornering at
the same speeds as ordinary pas-
senger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars designed to
perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Therefore,
sharp turns at excessive speeds may
cause rollover.
WARNING
■
Utility vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precau-
tions to minimize the risk of death or seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
●
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is significantly more likely to die than a
person wearing a seat belt. Therefore,
the driver and all passengers should
always fasten their seat belts.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
●
vers, if at all possible. Failure to operate
this vehicle correctly may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing
death or serious injury.
Vehicles with roof rails: Loading cargo
●
on the roof luggage carrier will make
the center of the vehicle gravity higher.
Avoid high speeds, sudden starts,
sharp turns, sudden braking or abrupt
maneuvers, otherwise it may result in
loss of control or vehicle rollover due
to failure to operate this vehicle cor-
rectly.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
●
Because of its profile and higher cen-
ter of gravity, your vehicle is more sen-
sitive to side winds than an ordinary
passenger car. Slowing down will allow
you to have better control.
●
Do not drive horizontally across steep
slopes. Driving straight up or straight
down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any
similar off-road vehicle) can tip over
sideways much more easily than for-
ward or backward.
Off-road driving
Your vehicle is not designed to be
driven off-road. However, in the event
that off-road driving cannot be
avoided, please observe the following
precautions to help avoid the areas
prohibited to vehicles.
Drive your vehicle only in areas
where off-road vehicles are permit-
ted to travel.
Respect private property. Get
owner's permission before entering
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