Driving Your Mazda; possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt; maneuvers in these vehicles. As with- Page 164

Driving Your Mazda

5-28

possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. As with
other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate your vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover resulting in serious injury.

Most vehicles with 4-wheel drive are
especially equipped for driving on sand,
snow, mud, or rough terrain and have
operating characteristics that are some-
what different from conventional vehi-
cles, both off and on the road. The driving
tips below will help you learn to use
4-wheel drive.

S

Do not use 4-wheel drive on dry, hard-
surfaced roads, especially with a tem-
porary spare tire in use. This may
damage the driveline and axles.

S

Drive slower in strong crosswinds
which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.

S

Be extremely careful when driving
on pavement made slippery by loose
sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.

When using 4-wheel drive, maintain
steering wheel control at all times, espe-
cially in rough terrain. Since sudden
changes in terrain can result in abrupt
steering wheel motion, make sure you
grip the steering wheel rim from the
outside. Do not grip the spokes.

Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle dam-
age from concealed objects such as rocks
and stumps. Know the terrain or exam-
ine maps of the area in question before
driving. Map out your route beforehand.
To maintain steering and braking control
of your vehicle, you must have all four
tires on the ground, and they must be
rolling, not sliding or spinning.