251 . . .–––Section 3Many of the same design featuresthat help make your vehicleresponsive on paved roads duringpoor weather conditions (featureslike the locking rear axle andall-wheel drive) help make it muchbetter suited for off-road use thana conventional passenger car.Its higher ground clearance alsohelps your vehicle step over someoff-road obstacles.But your vehicle does not havefeatures like special underbodyshielding and a transfer case lowgear range, which are usuallythought necessary for extended orsevere off-road service.The air bag system is designed tobe used when you are drivingoff-road.Always wear your safety belt. Besure it is adjusted properly at alltimes.This guide is for operating yourvehicle off paved roads.Off-Road DrivingNOTICEDo not operate your vehicleoff-road if it is equipped with22-inch tires unless you will betraveling on a level, solidsurface.Off-road driving can be great fun,but it does have some definitehazards. The greatest of these isthe terrain itself."Off-roading" means you’ve leftthe great road system behind.Traffic lanes aren’t marked. Curvesaren’t banked. There are no roadsigns. Surfaces can be slippery,rough, uphill or downhill.If at all possible, avoid sharp turnsor abrupt maneuvers. As withother vehicles of this type, failureto operate this vehicle correctlymay result in loss of control orvehicle rollover.AKENG44_Escalade Page 251 Wednesday, July 16, 2008 12:22 PM
