Driving and operating141you might in a conventional vehicle.
Strong crosswinds can affect the
normal steering of the vehicle. Drive
slower under strong crosswind
conditions.
Off-road driving ● Avoid protruding objects (such as
rocks or tree stumps) that may
damage the underbody and tyres of your vehicle.
● Test the brakes after operating in
mud, to clear excess mud from
the braking surfaces.
● Grip the steering wheel when travelling over rough terrain.
Terrain conditions can cause
rapid and unexpected movement in the steering.
The ground clearance, ramp angle,
angle of approach and departure and wading depth need to be considered,
especially in hilly conditions and
when wading, to prevent the vehicle
becoming stuck and possibly
damaged.
Vehicle dimensions 3 209.
Towing the vehicle 3 196.Driving through water
Do not exceed the maximum wading
depth 3 209.
Check the depth of water: choose the
lowest entry and departure angles
before entering. Maintain a steady
engine speed, to help prevent water
from entering the exhaust system, but do not exceed 5 km/h, to avoid
splashing the water.
Drive with the flow wherever possible,
not against it. If you have to drive
against the flow, try to drive at an
angle to it, so that the leading corner
of the vehicle will help deflect water
from the engine compartment. Avoid
splashing the water - if the ignition
system becomes wet, the engine may
stall.
Avoid water entering the air intake
system 3 120. If water enters the air
intake system, engine seizure with severe costly damage may result.
Test the brakes after leaving the
water - wet brakes are less effective
than dry ones. Perform the service
operations for wading , involving
checks for water contamination, at
the earliest opportunity.Service checks after wading
Check for the ingress of water into the following:
● Brake fluid reservoir
● Air cleaner element
● Engine
● Transmission
● Axles
● Interior of vehicle
Renew any lubricating oil or hydraulic
fluid that has a milky appearance,
indicating contamination with water.
Cleaning
Clean the vehicle thoroughly and as
soon as possible after driving off-
road.
Do not let mud remain dry on any part
of the vehicle as it becomes abrasive and can damage paint, glass, seals,
bearings and brake components. If
left to build up, mud can seriously
affect the airflow through and over
mechanical components and cause
localised overheating and failure of
parts, especially in the engine
compartment.
