Cadillac ESCALADE EXT 2002, Manual

Page: 233 / 427

4-16
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 “Anti
-
Lock Brakes” in the Index.
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 great 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.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out.
For example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Is there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully
inflated? Are the fluid levels up where they should be?
What are the local laws that apply to off
-
roading where
you’ll be driving? If you don’t know, you should check
with law enforcement people in the area. Will you be
on someone’s private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.