STARTING AND OPERATING 379
The Basics Of Off-Road Driving
You will encounter many types of terrain driving off-road.
You
should be familiar with the terrain and area before
proceeding. There are many types of surface conditions:
hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and
ice. Every surface has a different effect on your vehicle's
steering, handling and traction. Controlling your vehicle is
one of the keys to successful off-road driving, so always keep
a firm grip on the steering wheel and maintain a good
driving posture. Avoid sudden accelerations, turns or
braking. In most cases, there are no road signs, posted speed
limits or signal lights. Therefore, you will need to use your
own good judgment on what is safe and what is not. When
on a trail, you should always be looking ahead for surface
obstacles and changes in terrain. The key is to plan your
future driving route while remembering what you are
currently driving over.
NOTE:
It is recommended that the Stop/Start System be disabled
d
uri
ng off-road use.
When To Use 4L (Low) Range
When off-road driving, shift into 4L (Low) for additional
trac
tion and control on slippery or difficult terrain,
ascending or descending steep hills, and to increase low
speed pulling power. This range should be limited to
extreme situations such as deep snow, mud, steep inclines,
or sand where additional low speed pulling power is
needed. Vehicle speeds in excess of 25
mph (40 km/h)
shou
ld be avoided when in 4L (Low) range.
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down cargo.
Unse
cured cargo can become projectiles in an off-road
situation.
CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other
combu
stible materials. The heat from your vehicle
exhaust system could cause a fire.
CAUTION!
Do not use 4L (Low) range when operating the vehicle on
dry p
avement. Driveline hardware damage can result.
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