Remember

The route may impose certain restrictions on driving along it. Some routes are full of bumps or steep ascents and descents.

Your driving skill may not be sufficient to negotiate a difficult route. In addition, you must take into account the limited capabilities of your vehicle, which are determined by tire traction with the road surface, vehicle stability and engine power.

Off-road driving can be dangerous if you disregard these limitations and do not take proper precautions.

Selecting the Driving Speed

To ensure good traction with the road surface, accelerate slowly and smoothly. If you try to accelerate abruptly on wet soil, slush, snow or ice, the wheels of your vehicle may lose traction with the surface. Furthermore, the vehicle's wheels may even dig into the ground or snow. To accelerate smoothly on snow or ice, it is recommended to start moving in 2nd gear.

Keep in mind that when driving off-road, the braking distance increases and braking takes longer. Avoid sudden braking. When braking, do not pump the brake pedal.

The anti-lock braking system will perform this function much more effectively when necessary.

Obstacles

Road irregularities can damage the suspension or other vehicle components.

Because your vehicle has a high center of gravity, driving over a large obstacle or into a deep pothole may cause it to roll over.

Driving on Hills

Before driving up or down a hill, stop and assess the situation. If you have any doubts about the safety of negotiating the hill, it is better to abandon this intention. Choose another route.

If, while driving uphill, you find that you cannot proceed further, do not attempt to turn the vehicle around. Otherwise, the vehicle may roll over.

Slowly reverse back down along the same route you used to climb the hill.

Fording Water

Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter a water obstacle, such as a stream or a large puddle, carefully inspect it before continuing. Make sure the current is not strong, the depth is shallow and the bottom is sufficiently firm.

If you are unable to assess the depth of the water obstacle and the condition of the bottom, turn around and find another route.

Driving through deep water may also cause your vehicle to malfunction. Water can enter the transmission and differential, mix with the fluid and cause the unit to fail. Water may also wash the grease out of the wheel hub bearings.

If Your Vehicle Is Stuck

Avoid driving on soft sand or deep mud, where the vehicle may become stuck. If the vehicle has become stuck due to bad weather conditions or other causes, select a safe and appropriate course of action.

To free a stuck vehicle, never use a jack. A jack may be used only on a level, firm surface.

In addition, your vehicle may slip off the jack, which may cause injury to you and other people.

Prolonged wheel spin at high speed while trying to free the vehicle may cause the all-wheel drive system components to overheat. This will cause the all-wheel drive system to shut off and deliver torque exclusively to the front wheels.

In this case, stop the vehicle and allow all systems to cool. After cooling, the all-wheel drive system will resume normal operation.

Clutch slipping while trying to free the vehicle may cause the clutch to overheat and fail.