1996 Oldsmobile Bravada Owner's Manual - Page 142

Operating Your Bravada Off Paved Roads Many of the s'amedesign features that help make Bravada responsive on paved roads during poor weather conditions -- features like the locking rear axle and all-wheel drive -.- help make it much better suited for. off-road use than a conventional passenger car. Its higher.ground clearance also helps Bravada step over some off-road obstacles. But Bravada doesn't have features like special underbody shielding and a transfer case low gear range, things that are usually thought necessary for extended or severe off-road service. This guide is for operating your Bravada off paved roads. Before You Go Off-Roading There aresome things to dobefore ,you go out. For example, be sure tohave all necessary maintenance and service work done. Check to make sure all underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure you read all the information about your four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is there enough fuel? Isthe spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels up where they should be? What arethe local laws that apply to off-roading where you'll be driving? If you don't know, you should check with law enforcement people in the area. Will you be on someone's private land? If so, be sure toget the necessary permission. r Also, see "Anti-Lock Brakes" in the Index. t Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some definite hazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself. "Off-roading" means you've left the great North merican road system behind. Traffic lanes aren't marked. Curves aren't banked. There are no road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill. In hort, you've gone right back to nature. Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving There are some important things to remember about how to loadyour vehicle. The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your rear axle. Putheavier items as far forward as you can. Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on the off-road terrain doesn't toss things around. Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that's why it's very important that you read this guide. You'll find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable. 4-14