While driving on a surface with reduced traction, tryyour best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, orbraking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting toa lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tiresto slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery untilthe vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warningclues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow onthe road to make a mirrored surface — and slow downwhen you have any doubt.Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helpsavoid only the braking skid.Off-Road DrivingVehicles with all-wheel drive can be used for off-roaddriving. Vehicles without all-wheel drive and vehicleswith 22-inch tire/wheel assemblies should not be drivenoff-road except on a level, solid surface.Many of the vehicle design features that help make thevehicle more responsive on paved roads during poorweather conditions also help make it better suited foroff-road use than conventional passenger vehicles.The vehicle does not have features usually thought tobe necessary for extended or severe off-road use suchas special underbody shielding and transfer case lowgear range.The airbag system is designed to work properly undera wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.Always wear your safety belt and observe safe drivingspeeds, especially on rough terrain.Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any roadand this is certainly true for off-road driving. At the verytime you need special alertness and driving skills, yourreflexes, perceptions, and judgment can be affectedby even a small amount of alcohol. You could have aserious — or even fatal — accident if you drink and driveor ride with a driver who has been drinking.Off-roading can be great fun but has some definitehazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself. Whenoff-road driving, traffic lanes are not marked, curves arenot banked, and there are no road signs. Surfaces can beslippery, rough, uphill, or downhill.Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers. Failure tooperate the vehicle correctly off-road could result in lossof vehicle control or vehicle rollover.Off-roading involves some new skills. That is why it isvery important that you read these driving tips andsuggestions to help make off-road driving saferand more enjoyable.5-13
