Oldsmobile 1999 Bravada - Manual (Page 166)

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Driving Guidelines
This multipurpose passenger vehicle is defined as a utility
vehicle in Consumer Information Regulations issued by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) of the United States Department of
Transportation. Utility vehicles have higher ground
clearance and a narrower track to make them capable of
performing in a wide variety of off
- road applications.
Specific design characteristics give them a higher center of
gravity than ordinary cars. An advantage of the higher
ground clearance is a better view of the road allowing you
to anticipate problems. They are not designed for
cornering at the same speeds as conventional
two
- wheel - drive vehicles any more than low - slung sports
cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off - road
conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control
or vehicle rollover.
Operating Your Vehicle Off
Paved Roads
Many of the same design 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.
Also, see “Anti - Lock Brakes” in the Index.
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
American 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
short, you’ve gone right back to nature.