2009 Saturn VUE Owner's Manual - Page 219

Driving Your Vehicle • Always carry a litter bag and make sure all refuse is removed from any campsite before leaving. For vehicles with a winch, be sure to read the winch instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be handy if you get stuck but you will want to know how to use it properly. 4-15 • Take extreme care with open fires (where permitted), camp stoves, and lanterns. Controlling the vehicle is the key to successful off-road driving. One of the best ways to control the vehicle is to control the speed. At higher speeds: • Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other combustible materials that could catch fire from the heat of the vehicle's exhaust system. Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving It is a good idea to practice in an area that is safe and close to home before you go into the wilderness. Off-roading requires some new and different skills. Tune your senses to different kinds of signals. Your eyes need to constantly sweep the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your ears need to listen for unusual tire or engine sounds. Use your arms, hands, feet, and body to respond to vibrations and vehicle bounce. • You approach things faster and have less time to react. • There is less time to scan the terrain for obstacles. • The vehicle has more bounce when driving over obstacles. Traveling to Remote Areas It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going to a remote area. Know the terrain and plan your route. Get accurate maps of trails and terrain. Check to see if there are any blocked or closed roads. It is also a good idea to travel with at least one other vehicle in case something happens to one of them. • More braking distance is needed, especially on an unpaved surface. { CAUTION When you are driving off-road, bouncing and quick changes in direction can easily throw you out of position. This could cause you to lose control and crash. So, whether you are driving on or off the road, you and your passengers should wear safety belts.