1997 Chevrolet Blazer Owner's Manual - Page 179

Scanning the Terrain Off-road driving can take you over mLmy different kinds of terrain. You need to be fatniliar with the terrain and its many different features. Here are some things to consider. Surface Cmditiom. Off-roading can take you over hard-packed dirt, gravel. rocks. grass. sand, mud, snow or ice. Each of these surfaces affects the steering, acceleration and brakinz of your vehicle i n different ways. Depending upon the kind of surfxe you are on. you may experience slipping. sliding. wheel spinning. delayed acceieration, poor traction and longer braking distances. Sru-fnce 0hstcrcle.v. Unseen or hidden obstacles can be hazardous. A rock. log hole. rut or bump CUI startle you if you're not prepared for them. Often these obstacles are hidden by grass, bushes. snow or even the rise and f a l l of When you drive over obstacles orrough terrain, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts, troughsor other surface features can jerk the wheel out of your hands if you're not prepared. When you drive over bumps. rocks, or other obstacles, your wheels can leave the ground. If this happens. even with one or two wheels, you can't control the vehicle as well or at all. Because you will be on an unpaved surface. it's especially important to avoid sudden acceleration. sudden turns or sudden braking. In a way, off-road driving requires a different kind of alertness from driving on paved roads and highways. There are no road signs. posted speed limits or signal lights. You have to use your own good judgment about what is safe and what isn't. the terrain itself. Here are some things to consider: Is the path ahead clear'? 0 Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead'? Does the travel take you uphill or downhill'? (There's more discussion of these sub-jectslater.) Will you have to stop suddenly or change direction quicklv'? Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any road. And this is certainty true for off-road driving. At the very time you need special alertness and driving skills, your reflexes. perceptions and judgment can be affected by even z1 small amount of alcohol. You could have a serious -- or even fatal -- accident if you drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. See "Drunken Driving" in the index. 4-18