CARTER GO-KARTS SAFETY TIPS

PASSENGERS

Some vehicles are designed and constructed to be used by the operator ONLY. Those vehicles have a single seat. The vehicle load limit and seating configuration DOES NOT PERMIT carrying a passenger safely. With those vehicles the rule is OPERATOR ONLY - NO PASSENGER.

The operator of any vehicle must be of sufficient age, understanding, mental capacity, and physical capability to control the vehicle in a responsible manner and prevent unnecessary risk to the passenger and himself/herself. That requires a thorough understanding of the vehicle’s operation and all safety rules, WARNINGS, and CAUTIONS.

For vehicles specially designed with two seats or a double seat, a passenger may be permitted to ride when these guidelines are observed for safety:

1. The passenger must be of sufficient age, understanding, mental capacity, and physical capability to control and restrict his/her motion within the moving vehicle, and to effectively react to minimize any possibility of personal injury.

2. Any passenger must keep all parts of their body within the seat and frame. Failure to do so could result in personal injury.

3. Passengers should not stand on side rails, rear bumpers or anywhere on kart. Standing on any kart is extremely dangerous and may result in serious injury to the passenger and the operator.

HANDHOLDS

Vehicles specially designed with two seats or a double seat, are equipped with one or more handholds. Those handholds are to be used by a passenger in helping control his/her motion in the vehicle.

WARNING - Failure to maintain and properly use handholds at all times may render the kart to be unsafe and could result in personal injury.

TURNING MANEUVERS

The new rider must learn to shift his weight and control the throttle to allow the rear tires to negotiate the turn. This is the primary technique to be mastered in riding this vehicle. Practice turning at slow, constant speeds. Defer increased speeds until you are confident of your proficiency and are intimately familiar with the terrain.

Steer in the direction of the turn, and lean your body to the inside of the turn in order to maximize front tire traction. Use the throttle to maintain power throughout the turn.

Once this technique is learned, turning maneuvers can be performed within a relatively small area.

Incorrect turning techniques may cause the front wheels to slide straight ahead without affecting the vehicle's direction of travel. If this should occur, come to a stop, then resume the technique outlined above.

If the front wheels tend to skid in mud, sand, or snow, you may be able to improve control by releasing the throttle and allowing the vehicle to coast through the turn.

If the rear wheels inadvertently skid sideways, correct your slide by steering in the direction of the skid, if you have room to perform this maneuver safely. Avoid braking or accelerating until you have control.

To avoid skids while traveling on slippery terrain, the rider must exercise a high degree of caution. Turning maneuvers on slippery terrain are more hazardous than those performed under full traction and must be done slowly.

Surface composition is a major factor affecting skidding. It is easier to slide on packed snow than in deep sand. It is dangerous to skid on ice, because you may lose all directional control, and it is dangerous to skid on pavement, because you may regain traction suddenly and unexpectedly, which can cause the vehicle to overturn.

CLIMBING HILLS

Practice climbing on evenly surfaced slopes of less than 20 degrees. The vehicle's capability in climbing hills or traversing any specific terrain is dependent upon rider skill and vehicle load. As you gain experience in handling this vehicle, and learn the hazards to be encountered and your own limitations you may then proceed to ride more challenging terrain. However, you must first be able to discern and avoid any hill or hazard that would cause this vehicle to overturn.

Take a running start, at the appropriate speed for the ascent, and climb at a steady rate of speed.

WARNING - Do not apply power suddenly by opening the throttle while ascending a hill or the front wheels may rise from the ground. If the front wheels lift, the rider control will be lessened and the vehicle may overturn backwards.

If you should find that you have incorrectly estimated climbing capability and lack the power or traction to continue the ascent, if space permits, turn the vehicle around while you still have the forward speed to do so and descend. Avoid stalling part way up a hill, as maneuvering will then become more difficult.

CAUTION - Before attempting a turn on a hillside, the rider should first master turning technique on level ground.

If you do lose all forward speed, and can neither continue uphill nor maneuver the vehicle under its own power, turn off the engine, dismount, and physically turn the machine around.

CAUTION - To avoid overturning, the rider must exercise a high degree of caution when dismounting or moving this vehicle on a hillside.

DESCENDING HILLS

It is usually advisable to descend hills with the vehicle pointed directly downhill, avoiding angles that would cause the vehicle to lean sharply to one side. As you approach the point of descent, stop and survey the terrain below. Never ride headlong past your limit of visibility. When you have picked a safe path of descent, descend slowly with the throttle closed. Sit back on the seat, with arms extended and braced on the steering wheel.

When descending it is recommended that the rider apply the brakes intermittently to further reduce forward speed.

Braking effectiveness is reduced while descending any incline with a loose surface.

RIDING THROUGH WATER

Do not cross any stream with fast flowing water. The tires may float, making it difficult to maintain control. Do not ride the vehicle through water for prolonged periods.

The vehicle can cross water to a depth of approximately 4-6 inches, although the rider must be careful to avoid getting the spark plug or air cleaner wet.

When crossing shallow streams, choose a course where both banks have gradual inclines. Proceed at a slow, steady speed, and take care to avoid submerged obstacles and slippery rocks.

If loss of forward motion or pulling power is noticed when riding in water, it indicates the torque converter belt has become wet. When this occurs, the rider should immediately head toward shore at minimum throttle required to maintain motion. Once on shore, the torque converter belt will dry quickly if rider will sit for a few moments with the engine idling.

After riding through water, the brakes may be less effective than normal. Test the brakes after traveling through any water, and if necessary, apply the brakes repeatedly until the heat of friction has dried them and the brakes retain their normal effectiveness.

WARNING - Do not operate vehicle at high speeds until brakes are dry and effective.