Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
AWD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
When driving at slow speeds off-road under high outside temperatures,
use 1 (First) gear when possible. 1 (First) gear operation will maximize
the engine and transmission cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Basic operating principles
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Aviator f/k/a Navigator LS(231), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
285
Engine oil ..................................328
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................328
checking and adding ..............328
dipstick ....................................328
filter, specifications ........331, 351
recommendations ...................331
refill capacities ........................352
specifications ..................354, 356
Exhaust fumes ..........................268
F
Fail safe cooling ........................337
Floor mats .................................155
Fluid capacities .........................352
Foglamps ...................................104
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................285
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................275
Fuel ............................................338
calculating fuel
economy ..........................143, 343
cap ...........................................340
capacity ...................................352
choosing the right fuel ...........341
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................346
detergent in fuel .....................342
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................338, 340, 343
filter, specifications ........343, 351
fuel pump shut-off switch .....293
improving fuel economy ........343
octane rating ...................342, 356
quality ......................................342
running out of fuel .................342
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................338Fuses ..................................294–295
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless
control system) .........................137
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............340
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................343
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers .........................293
Head restraints .........................176
Headlamps .................................104
aiming ......................................107
autolamp system .....................104
bulb specifications ..................111
daytime running lights ...........106
flash to pass ............................107
high beam ...............................106
replacing bulbs .......................113
turning on and off ..................104
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................137
I
Ignition ...............................265, 356
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................211
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................348
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................322
cluster ........................................10
J
Jack ....................................229, 232
REVIEW COPY
2005 Aviator f/k/a Navigator LS(231), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
364
