Inspection and Cleaning
Check the condition of your
tires. Damaged tires are more
likely to fail and should not be
used on pavement.
If you let air out of your tires,inflate them to the
recommended
levels before
going
any distance on
pavement.
If you must drive
wit
h underinflated tires, do not
exceed
30 mph. Remove
any mud that may
have
stuck to the tires, wheels,
or driveshafts. Mud can cause
imbalance
and damage
important vehicle components.
Remove any twigs, rocks or
other objects you might have
picked up along the way.
Follow
all procedures for
shifting back to 2-wheel drive
if you've been traveling in
4-wheel
drive.
When you get home, thoroughly wash your vehicle and inspect it
closely
for signs of damage. Give
special attention to the tires, rims,
suspension and other Underbody
components, and correct any
problem you find. Also make sure all
nuts, bolts and other critical
fasteners
are properly secured. Driving off-road causes more
wear-and-tear
on the paint and
exterior trim. Stones and other debris
thrown up by your tires,
and
the tires of other off-road
vehicles you are following, can
chip
the paint and chrome. Bushes
and tree branches can cause
hairline
scratches. Although there
are some protective devices available
(mud guards, etc.) a
vehicle that is driven off-road will
incur
more damage than one that
is not. Frequent washing and
waxing may help to minimize the
damage caused by off-road
driving.
Befor
e returning to pavement:
Off-Road Driving Information
