Operating Your All - Wheel Drive Vehicle - Cadillac ESCALADE EXT 2002 Manual

Operating Your All
Vehicle Off Paved Roads
Many of the same design features that help make your
vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather
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conditions features like the locking rear axle and
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all wheel drive help make it much better suited
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for off road use than a conventional passenger car.
Its higher ground clearance also helps your vehicle step
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over some off road obstacles. But your vehicle doesn't
have features like special underbody shielding and a
transfer case low gear range, things that are usually
thought necessary for extended or severe off
service. This guide is for operating your vehicle off
paved roads.
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Also, see "Anti Lock Brakes" in the Index.
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Off road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some definite hazards. The greatest of these is the
terrain itself.
4-16
Wheel Drive
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road
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"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.
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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
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make your off road driving safer and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out.
For example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Is there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully
inflated? Are the fluid levels up where they should be?
What are the local laws that apply to off
you'll be driving? If you don't know, you should check
with law enforcement people in the area. Will you be
on someone's private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
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roading where