This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has
higher ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to the
height of its center of gravity to make it capable of performing
in
a wide variety of off-road applications.
Off-road vehicle features
- Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of
gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this
type of vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, utility
vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of
vehicles.
- An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view
of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
- It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as
ordinary passenger
cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore,
sharp
turns at excessive speeds may cause the vehicle to rollover.
| WARNING ■Off-road vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the
risk of death, serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
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Off-road driving
When driving your vehicle off-road, please observe the following
precautions
to ensure your driving enjoyment and to help prevent the closure
of areas to off-road vehicles.
- Drive your vehicle only in areas where off-road vehicles are
permitted
to travel.
- Respect private property. Get owner's permission before
entering
private property.
- Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers
and signs
that restrict travel.
- Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving
techniques
should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to
roads.
■Additional information for off-road driving
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your
vehicle off-road,
consult the following organizations.
- State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
- State Motor Vehicle Bureau
- Recreational Vehicle Clubs
- U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
| WARNING ■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the
risk of death, serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
- Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take
unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
- Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving
off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both
hands and especially
your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
- Always check your brakes for effectiveness
immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
- After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand,
rivers, etc., check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc.,
adhering or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the
underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering
to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
- In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver
and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is
moving.
- When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not
drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc.
This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious
injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle's suspension
and chassis.
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| NOTICE ■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water
damage to the
engine or other components does not occur.
- Water entering the engine air intake will cause
severe engine damage.
- Water entering the automatic transmission will cause
deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied by
vibration, and ultimately
damage.
- Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings,
causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials,
transmission and
transfer case, reducing the gear oil's lubricating
qualities.
■When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow
streams, first check
the depth of the water and the bottom of the river bed for
firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
■Inspection after off-road driving
- Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and
around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake
system components.
- Always perform a maintenance inspection after each
day of off-road driving
that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or
water. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the
"Scheduled Maintenance
Guide" or "Owner's Manual Supplement".
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