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178
STARTING AND OPERATING
Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or
Other Standing Water – Puddles, pools, flooded
or other standing water areas normally contain
murky or muddy waters. These water types
normally contain hidden obstacles and make it
difficult to determine an accurate water depth,
approach angle, and bottom condition. Murky or
muddy water holes are where you want to hook
up tow straps prior to entering. This makes for a
faster, cleaner and easier vehicle recovery. If
you are able to determine you can safely cross,
than proceed using the low and slow method.
CAUTION!
Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system
effectiveness by depositing debris onto the
radiator.
Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or
Other Flowing Water – Flowing water can be
extremely dangerous. Never attempt to cross a
fast running stream or river even in shallow
water. Fast moving water can easily push your
vehicle downstream sweeping it out of control.
Even in very shallow water, a high current can
still wash the dirt out from around your tires
putting you and your vehicle in jeopardy. There
is still a high risk of personal injury and vehicle
damage with slower water currents in depths
greater than the vehicle's running ground clear-
ance. You should never attempt to cross flowing
water which is deeper than the vehicle's running
ground clearance. Even the slowest current can
push the heaviest vehicle downstream out of
control if the water is deep enough to push on
the large surface area of the vehicle's body.
Before you proceed determine the speed of the
current, the water's depth, approach angle,
bottom condition and if there are any obstacles,
then cross at an angle heading slightly
upstream using the low and slow technique.
WARNING!
Never drive through fast moving deep water. It
can push your vehicle downstream, sweeping it
out of control. This could put you and your
passengers at risk of injury or drowning.
A
D
F
O
-R
IRING
OWN
OR
FF
Running lower tire pressure off-road can improve
your ride comfort and vehicle traction. Reducing
the tire air pressure allows the tire to bulge slightly,
improving its surface area for better flotation and
ability to mold or form to the ground contour.
Different terrain, tires, and vehicles require
different tire pressure. Hard surfaces like rock and
heavier vehicles require higher pressures than
softer surfaces such as sand and lighter vehicles.
You will need to experiment to determine what is
right for your situation. It is easier and faster to let
air out than it is to replace it. Start high and lower
it as required. Remember you must return the tires
to normal air pressure before driving on road or at
highway conditions. Be sure you have a way to
return the tires to their normal on road air
pressure.
Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of tire
damage and may cause tire unseating with total
loss of air pressure. To reduce the risk of tire
unseating, while at a reduced tire pressure,
drive at slower speeds and avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers.
V
R
EHICLE
D
OAD
RIVING
If you drive off-road, you may encounter a situation
where you will need to recover your vehicle. Vehicle
recovery should always be given consideration
before attempting a questionable obstacle. You
should never go off-road driving without the ability
to recover your vehicle from a situation. Having
another vehicle with you usually works best for
most situations. The first thing to do is assess the
situation. Why are you stuck? Are you hung up on
something? Would it be easier to go forward or to
go backward?
CAUTION!
ECOVERY
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