2000 Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual - Page 163

Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful Scanning the Terrain off-road driving. Oneof the best ways to control your kinds of vehicle is to control your speed. Here are some things to Off-road driving can take you over many different terrain. You need to be familiar with the terrain andits keep in mind. At higher speeds: many different features. Here are some things to consider. you approach things faster and you have less time to Surfiace Conditions. Off-roading can take you over scan the terrain obstacles. for hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow or 0 you have less time to react. ice. Each of these surfaces affects the steering, acceleration and braking ofyour vehicle in different ways. Depending you have more vehicle bounce when you drive upon the kind of surface you are you may experience on, over obstacles. slipping, sliding, wheel spinning, delayed acceleration, you'll need more distance for braking, especially poor traction and longer braking distances. since you're on an unpaved surface. Surface Obstacles.Unseen or hidden obstacles canbe hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut or bump can startle you if you're not prepared for them. Often these obstacles are hidden by grass, bushes, snow or even the rise and fallof the terrain itself. Here are some thingsto consider: When you're driving off-road, bouncing and Is the path ahead clear? quick changes in direction can easily throw you This cause you to lose Will the surface texture change abruptly ahead? up out of position. could controlandcrash. So, whetheryou'redrivingon Doesthetraveltake you uphillordownhill?(There's orofftheroad,youandyourpassengersshould more discussion of these subjects later.) wear safety belts. Will you have to stop suddenly or change 1 direction quickly? 4-18