This off-road guide is for vehicles that have all-wheel drive. If your vehicle does not have all-wheel drive, you should not drive off-road unless you are on a level, solid surface.

Many of the same design features that help make your vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather conditions — features like all-wheel drive — help make it much better suited for off-road use. Its higher ground clearance also helps your vehicle step over some off-road obstacles. But your vehicle does not 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.

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 have left the North American road system behind. Traffic lanes are not marked. Curves are not banked. There are no road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill, or downhill. In short, you have gone right back to nature.

Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that is why it is very important that you read this guide. You will find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable.

• Before You Go Off-Roading
• Loading Your Vehicle for Off-RoadDriving
• Environmental Concerns
• Traveling to Remote Areas
• Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
• Scanning the Terrain
• Driving on Off-Road Hills
• Approaching a Hill
• Driving Uphill
• Driving Downhill
• Driving Across an Incline
• Stalling on an Incline
• Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
• Driving in Water
• After Off-Road Driving