Off-Road Driving; Section 4 - Cadillac Escalade ESV Owner's Manual

$10araEscalade.fm Page 270 Wednesday, October 14, 2009 9:52 AM
Starting and Operating Instructions
Many of the same design features
that help make your vehicle
responsive on paved roads during
poor weather conditions (features
like the locking rear axle and
all-wheel drive) help make it much
better suited for off-road use than
a conventional passenger car.
Its higher ground clearance also
helps your vehicle step over some
off-road obstacles.
But your vehicle does not have
features like special underbody
shielding and a transfer case low
gear range, which are usually
thought necessary for extended or
severe off-road service.
The air bag system is designed to
be used when you are driving
off-road.
Always wear your safety belt. Be
sure it is adjusted properly at all
times.
This guide is for operating your
vehicle off paved roads.
. . . 270

Off-Road Driving

NOTICE
Do not operate your vehicle
off-road if it is equipped with
22-inch tires unless you will be
traveling on a level, solid
surface.
This off-road guide is for vehicles
that have all-wheel drive.
See "Tires" in Section 4 for more
information.
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 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.
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 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.
If you think you will need extra
ground clearance at the front of
the vehicle, you can easily remove
the front bumper lower air dam.
The air dam is held in place by two
bolts and 10 snaps located along
the lower edge of the front
bumper. The bolts and snaps are
accessible from underneath the
bumper.