2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 270

Off-Road Driving If your vehicle has 20-inch tire/wheel assemblies, you should not drive off-road unless you are on a level, solid surface. See Tires on page 5-58. Many of the same design features that help make your vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather conditions - features like the locking rear axle and all-wheel drive - help make it much better suited for off-road use than a conventional passenger car. 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. This guide is for operating your vehicle off paved roads. Also, see Braking on page 4-3. The airbag system is designed to work properly under a wide range of conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. 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 great 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. If you think you will need some more ground clearance at the front of your vehicle, you can remove the front fascia lower air dam. The front fascia lower air dam is held in place by two bolts and 10 snap features. The bolts and snap features are accessible from underneath the front fascia. 4-12