1996 Nissan Pathfinder Owner's Manual - Page 125

DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Your NISSAN is designed for both normal and off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep water or mud as your NISSAN is mainly designed for leisure use, unlike a conventional off-road vehicle. Remember that two-wheel drive models are less capable than four-wheel drive models for rough road driving and extrication when stuck in deep snow or mud, or the like. Please observe the following precautions: stall. If you drive down them, you may not be able to control your speed. If you drive across them, you may roll over. ¼ Stay alert when driving to the top of a hill. At the top there could be a dropoff or other hazard that could cause an accident. ¼ If your engine stalls or you cannot make it to the top of a steep hill, never attempt to turn around. Your vehicle could tip or roll over. Always back straight down in reverse gear. Never back down in neutral (N) or with the clutch depressed, using only the brake, as this could cause loss of control. ¼ Heavy braking going down a hill could cause your brakes to overheat and fade, resulting in loss of control and an accident. Apply brakes lightly and use a low gear to control your speed. ¼ Unsecured cargo can be thrown around when driving over rough terrain. Properly secure it so that it will not be thrown forward and cause injury to you or your passengers. ¼ Avoid raising the center of gravity by loading things on the roof or equipping the vehicle with tires larger than specified in this manual. This could cause your vehicle to rollover. Put heavy loads in the cargo area as far forward and as low as possible. ¼ Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel when driving offroad. The steering wheel could jerk and injure your hands. Instead drive with your fingers and thumbs on the outside of the rim. ¼ Before operating vehicle, ensure that the driver and all passengers have their seat belts fastened. ¼ Always drive with the floor mats in place as the floor may become very hot. Particular care should be taken if you are barefoot. ¼ Lower your speed when encountering strong crosswinds. With its higher center of gravity, your NISSAN is more affected by gusty side winds. ¼ Drive carefully when off the road and avoid dangerous areas. Always wear your seat belts to help keep you and your passengers in position when driving over rough terrain. ¼ Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead drive either straight up or straight down the slopes. Off-road vehicles can tip over sideways much more easily than they can forward or backward. ¼ Many hills are too steep for any vehicle. If you drive up them, you may 4-20