STARTING AND OPERATING
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any more than low-slung sports cars are designed
to perform satisfactorily in off-road conditions.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. As with
other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this
vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover.
O
FF
-R
OAD
D
RIVING
T
IPS
The Basics Of Off-Road Driving
You will encounter many types of terrain driving
off-road. You should be familiar with the terrain
and area before proceeding. There are many types
of surface conditions: hard-packed dirt, gravel,
rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and ice. Every
surface has a different affect on your vehicle's
steering, handling and traction. Controlling your
vehicle is one of the keys to successful off-road
driving, so always keep a firm grip on the steering
wheel and maintain a good driving posture. Avoid
sudden accelerations, turns or braking. In most
cases, there are no road signs, posted speed limits
or signal lights. Therefore, you will need to use your
own good judgment on what is safe and what is
not. When on a trail, you should always be looking
ahead for surface obstacles and changes in
terrain. The key is to plan your future driving route
while remembering what you are currently driving
over.
When To Use 4WD LOW
When off-road driving, shift into 4WD LOW for
additional traction and control on slippery or
difficult terrain, ascending or descending steep
hills, and to increase low speed pulling power. This
range should be limited to extreme situations such
as deep snow, mud, steep inclines, or sand where
additional low speed pulling power is needed.
Vehicle speeds in excess of 55 mph (88 km/h)
should be avoided when in 4WD LOW.
Simultaneous Brake And Throttle
Operation
Many off-road driving conditions require the
simultaneous use of the brake and throttle
(two-footed driving). When climbing rocks, logs, or
other stepped objects, using light brake pressure
with light throttle will keep the vehicle from jerking
or lurching. This technique is also used when you
need to stop and restart a vehicle on a steep
incline.
Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand
SNOW
In heavy snow or for additional control and traction
at slower speeds, select SNOW mode from the TRX
modes. This will optimize traction and stability in
these conditions. Do not shift to a lower gear than
necessary to maintain headway. Over-revving the
engine can spin the wheels and traction will be
lost. If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your
steering wheel no more than a quarter turn quickly
back and forth, while still applying throttle. This will
allow the tires to get fresh traction and help
maintain your momentum.
WARNING!
Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down
cargo. Unsecured cargo can become projectiles
in an off-road situation.
CAUTION!
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other
combustible materials. The heat from your
vehicle exhaust system could cause a fire.
CAUTION!
Do not use 4WD LOW when operating the
vehicle on dry pavement. Driveline hardware
damage can result.
CAUTION!
On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at high
engine RPM or vehicle speeds, because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
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