Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
It is a good idea to practice in an area that is safe and close to home before you go into the wilderness. Off-road driving does require some new and different driving skills. Here is what we mean.
Tune your senses to different kinds of signals.
Your eyes, for example, need to constantly sweep the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your ears need to listen for unusual tire or engine sounds.
With your arms, hands, feet, and body, you will need to respond to vibrations and vehicle bounce.
Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful off-road driving. One of the best ways to control your vehicle is to control your speed.
Here are some things to keep in mind. At higher speeds:
• You approach things faster and you have less
time to scan the terrain for obstacles.
• You have less time to react.
• You have more vehicle bounce when you drive
over obstacles.
• You will need more distance for braking,
especially since you are on an unpaved
surface.
CAUTION:
When you are driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction can easily
throw you out of position. This could
cause you to lose control and crash. So,
whether you are driving on or off the road,
you and your passengers should wear
safety belts.
See also:
Safety System Check
Now and then, check that the safety belt reminder light, safety belts, buckles,
latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are all working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt s ...
Vehicle Storage
WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. See Jump Starting for tips on working around
a battery without gettin ...
Care of the CD/DVD Player
Do not add a label to a disc, as it
could get caught in the CD/DVD
player. If a label is needed, label the
top of the recorded disc with a
marking pen.
Do not use disc lens cleaners
because ...