Off-Road DrivingThis off-road guide is for vehicles that haveall-wheel drive. If your vehicle does not haveall-wheel drive, you should not drive off-road unlessyou are on a level, solid surface.Many of the same design features that help makeyour vehicle responsive on paved roads duringpoor weather conditions — features like all-wheeldrive — help make it much better suited foroff-road use. Its higher ground clearance alsohelps your vehicle step over some off-roadobstacles. But your vehicle does not have featureslike special underbody shielding and a transfercase low gear range, things that are usuallythought necessary for extended or severe off-roadservice.Also, see Braking on page 278.The airbag system is designed to work properlyunder a wide range of conditions, including off-roadusage. Observe safe driving speeds, especiallyon rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt.Off-road driving can be great fun. But it doeshave some definite hazards. The greatest of theseis the terrain itself.“Off-roading” means you have left the NorthAmerican road system behind. Traffic lanes arenot marked. Curves are not banked. There are noroad signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough,uphill, or downhill. In short, you have gone rightback to nature.Off-road driving involves some new skills. And thatis why it is very important that you read thisguide. You will find many driving tips andsuggestions. These will help make your off-roaddriving safer and more enjoyable.Before You Go Off-RoadingThere are some things to do before you go out.For example, be sure to have all necessarymaintenance and service work done. Check tomake sure all underbody shields, if the vehicle hasthem, are properly attached. Is there enoughfuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluidlevels up where they should be? What arethe local laws that apply to off-roading where youwill be driving? If you do not know, you shouldcheck with law enforcement people in thearea. Will you be on someone’s private land? Ifso, be sure to get the necessary permission.291
