GMC 1999 Sierra 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual page 205

Tune your senses to different kinds of signals. -Your eyes, for example, meed
to constantly sweep the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your .ears need to
listen for unusual tire
or engine sounds. With your arms, hands, feet,
and
body you'll need to respond to vibrations and vehicle bounce.
Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful off-road driving. One of the
best ways to control your vehicle is to control your speed. Here .are some
things to keep in mind. At higher speeds:
e
you approach things fastar and you have less time to scan the terrain
for obstacles.
you have less time to react.
'I
,
'C
_.
' .
you have more vehicle bounce when you drive over obstacles.
you'll need more distance for braking, especially since you're on an
unpaved surface.
CAUTION
When you're driving off road, bouncing and quick changes
in
direction can easily throw you out of position. This could cause you
to lose control and crash. So, whether you're driving on or off the
road, you and your passengers should wear safety belts.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds of terrain. You need
to be familiar with the terrain and its many different features. Here are some
things to consider.
Surface Conditions
Off-roading can ta.ke you. over hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand,
mud, snow or ice. Each of these sutfaces affects the steering, acceleration,
and braking of your vehicle in different ways. Depending upon the kind of
.
surface you are on, you may experience slipping, sliding, wheel spinning,
delayed acceleration, poor traction, and longer braking distances.
Surface Obstacles
Unseen or hidden obstacles can be hazardous. A rock,
log,
hole, rut, or
bump can startle you i f you're not prepared for them. Often these obstacles
are hidden by grass, bushes, snow or even the rise and fall of the terrain
itself. -.Here are some things to consider:
Is the path ahead clear?
Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?
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