Maintain steering wheel control at all
times, especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can result in
abrupt steering wheel motion, make sure
you grip the steering wheel from the
outside. Do not grip the spokes of the
steering wheel.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage
from concealed objects such as rocks and
stumps.
Either know the terrain or examine maps
of the area before driving. Map out your
route before driving in the area. To
maintain steering and braking control of
your vehicle, have all four wheels on the
ground and they need to be rolling, not
sliding or spinning.
Driving Off-Road With Truck and
Utility Vehicles
Note:
Your vehicle may have a front air
dam. Due to low ground clearance, you can
damage it when taking your vehicle off-road.
You can take the air dam off by removing
the bolts that secure it.
We design four-wheel drive vehicles for
driving on sand, snow, mud and rough
terrain and they have operating
characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both
on and off the road.
The transfer case supplies power to all four
wheels. On four-wheel drive vehicles, the
transfer case allows you to select different
4WD modes when necessary. Become
thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
Four-wheel drive uses all four wheels to
power your vehicle. This increases traction,
enabling you to drive over terrain and road
conditions that a conventional two-wheel
drive vehicle cannot.
Basic Operating Principles
•
Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•
When driving your vehicle on surfaces
made slippery by loose sand, water,
gravel, snow or ice, proceed with care.
•
Do not use 4H or 4L on dry, hard
surfaced roads. Doing so can produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and
could damage drive components. Use
4H or 4L modes for consistently
slippery or loose surfaces.
If Your Vehicle Leaves the Road
If your vehicle leaves the road, reduce your
vehicle speed and avoid severe braking.
When your vehicle speed decreases, ease
your vehicle back onto the road. Do not
sharply turn the steering wheel when
returning your vehicle to the road.
It may be safer to stay on the shoulder of
the road and gradually slow down before
returning to the road. You may lose control
if you do not slow down or if you too
sharply or abruptly turn the steering wheel.
It may be less risky to strike small objects,
such as freeway reflectors, with minor
damage to your vehicle rather than
attempt a sudden return to the road which
could cause your vehicle to slide sideways
out of control or roll over. Remember, your
safety and the safety of others should be
your primary concern.
Emergency Maneuvers
In an unavoidable emergency situation
where you must make a sudden sharp turn,
remember to avoid over-driving your
vehicle and turn the steering wheel only as
rapidly and as far as required to avoid the
emergency. Excessive steering can result
in loss of vehicle control. Apply smooth
pressure to the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal when you require changes in vehicle
167
Four-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)