2000 Honda CR-V Owner's Manual - Page 179

Off-Highway Guidelines Important Safety Precautions Remember that your CR-V has higher ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than passenger vehicles designed for use only on pavement. This means your vehicle can more easily tip or roll over if you make abrupt turns or drive on slopes. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. To avoid loss of control or rollover, be sure to follow all recommendations and precautions on page 152 and in this section. Seat belts are just as important offroad as on paved roads. Wherever you drive, make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts. If children or infants are along for the ride, see that they are properly secured. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. The route presents limits (some roads are too steep and bumpy for example). You have limits (in driving skills and comfort). And your vehicle also has limits (traction, stability, and power, for instance). Driving off-highway can be hazardous if you fail to recognize limits and take proper precautions. For example, you can have an accident or rollover during maneuvers such as turning, driving on hills, or over large obstacles. Be sure to store cargo properly, and do not exceed your CR-V's cargo or trailer load limits (see pages 149 and 170 ). Improperly operating this vehicle on or off-pavement can cause an accident or rollover in which you and your passengers could be seriously injured or killed. Follow all instructions and guidelines in the owner's manual. Keep your speed low and don't drive faster than conditions permit. On many unpaved roads, you won't find lane markers, traffic signals, or signs to warn you of possible trouble ahead. It's up to you to continually assess the situation and drive within limits. Driving