How Your Vehicle Differs From Other
Vehicles
WARNING
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity
such as utility and four-wheel drive
vehicles handle differently than vehicles with
a lower center of gravity. Utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles are not designed
for cornering at speeds as high as passenger
cars any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns,
excessive speed and abrupt maneuvers in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously
could result in an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death. 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.
Driving Off-Road With Truck and Utility
Vehicles
Note:
On some models, the initial shift from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive while
the vehicle is moving can cause some
momentary clunk and ratcheting sounds.
This is the front drivetrain coming up to
speed and the automatic locking hubs
engaging and is not cause for concern. Note:
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
front air dam that can become damaged
(due to reduced ground clearance) when
taking your vehicle off-road. This air dam
can be taken off by removing two bolts.
Four-wheel drive 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.
Power is supplied to all four wheels through
a transfer case. On Four-wheel drive
vehicles, the transfer case allows you to
select different 4WD modes when necessary.
Information on transfer case operation and
shifting procedures can be found in this
chapter. Information on transfer case
maintenance can be found in the
Maintenance chapter. You should become
thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
178
Navigator (TB5) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
