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Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over
many different kinds of terrain.
Be familiar with the terrain and its
many different features.
Surface Conditions: Off-roading
surfaces can be hard-packed dirt,
gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud,
snow, or ice. Each of these surfaces
affects the vehicle’s steering,
acceleration, and braking in different
ways. Depending on the surface,
slipping, sliding, wheel spinning,
delayed acceleration, poor traction,
and longer braking distances can
occur.
Surface Obstacles: Unseen or
hidden obstacles can be hazardous.
A rock, log, hole, rut, or bump can
startle you if you are not prepared for
them. Often these obstacles are
hidden by grass, bushes, snow, or
even the rise and fall of the terrain
itself.
Some things to consider:
• Is the path ahead clear?
• Will the surface texture change
abruptly up ahead?
• Does the travel take you uphill or
downhill?
• Will you have to stop suddenly or
change direction quickly?
When driving over obstacles or
rough terrain, keep a firm grip on the
steering wheel. Ruts, troughs, or
other surface features can jerk the
wheel out of your hands.
When driving over bumps, rocks, or
other obstacles, the wheels can
leave the ground. If this happens,
even with one or two wheels, you
cannot control the vehicle as well or
at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved
surface, it is especially important
to avoid sudden acceleration,
sudden turns, or sudden braking.
Off-roading requires a different kind
of alertness from driving on paved
roads and highways. There are no
road signs, posted speed limits, or
signal lights. Use good judgment
about what is safe and what is not.
4-16 Driving Your Vehicle