1998 Toyota Tacoma Owners Manual - Page 154

'98 Tacoma (U) Off-road driving precautions (four-wheel drive models only) When driving your vehicle off-road, please observe the following precautions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to help prevent the closure of areas to off-road vehicles. a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where off-road vehicles are permitted to travel. b. Respect private property. Get owner's permission before entering private property. c. Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs that restrict travel. d. Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving techniques should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to roads. For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico: To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your vehicle off-road, consult the following organizations. CAUTION Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious personal injury or damage to your vehicle: D The driver and all passengers should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving. NOTICE z If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep water. z Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that damage to the engine or other components does not occur. D Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in dangerous places. D Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your thumbs on the outside of the rim. D Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand, mud, water or snow. Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage. Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reducing the gear oil's lubricating qualities. D After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur. D State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments D State Motor Vehicle Bureau D Recreational Vehicle Clubs D U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management 154