Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material
is on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving
to
these
conditions.
It
is important
to
slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best
to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting
to
a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn
to
recognize warning
clues
-
such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road
to
make a “mirrored surface”
-
and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle
Off
Paved Roads
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
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-road service. This guide is for operating your vehicle
off paved roads.
Also, see
Braking on page
4-6.
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
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.
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.
4-1
5
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