Page 57 of 386
Seats & Safety Belts
1
AN165016
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is
secure.
To remove the child restraint, unbuckle the vehicle’s safety bel\
t and let it go
back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work
for an adult or larger child passenger.
Larger Children
-I
AM170057
Children who have outgrown child restraints should wear the vehicle’s \
safety
belts.
If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a window so the child
can wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt
can provide. Accident statistics show that children are safer
if they are
restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the safety belts-properly.
1-44
ProCarManuals.com
Page 71 of 386
Tailgate
.I K2175
If your vehicle has a tailgate, you must raise the rear glass be\
fore lowering
the tailgate.
To open the glass from the outside, use your door key. With the
key
in the lock, turn the key to the right to release the glass, then lift it up.
Open the tailgate by lifting up on the handle while pulling the tailgate toward
you.
Close the tailgate before closing the rear glass. After closing\
, make sure the
tailgate is securely latched by pulling
it toward you. After closing the rear
glass, pull up
on its handle to make sure it is locked.
2-8
ProCarManuals.com
Page 72 of 386
Panel Doors
To open the rear panel doors on the wagon model, you must open the right
door first.
Pull up on the handle and pull the door open.
t" -:
g P p
K2177
To open the left door, pull the handle on the door edge out and pull the door
open.
To close me doors, close the left door first. Be sure both doors are latc\
hed
securely.
PO285
The rear doors have a check assembly to keep them from opening farther
than
you want.
2-9
ProCarManuals.com
Page 143 of 386
Features & Controls
You can only drive for a short time with the reading in either warning zone. If
you must drive, turn off all unnecessary accessories, and have the vehicle
serviced as soon
as possible.
Convenience Net
CAUTION
A
An improperly stored convenience net could be thrown about the
vehicle during a collision
or sudden maneuver. You or others could
be injured. When you are done using the convenience net, always
store it in its original storage pouch,
and securely reattach the pouch
on the rear side of the spare tire cover.
I
PO22
If you have the optional luggage carrier, you can load things on top of your
vehicle. The luggage carrier has slats and side rails attached \
to the roof, and
cross rails which can be moved fore and aft in the side rail\
s to help secure
cargo. Tie the load to the side rails or side rail supports. Use the cross rails
mostly for fore and aft stops.
2-80
ProCarManuals.com
Page 144 of 386

NOTICE
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading your \
vehicle. For
more information on vehicle capacity and loading, see “Loadin\
g Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving, check now and then to
make sure the luggage carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.
Be sure the cargo is properly loaded.
If small heavy objects are placed on the roof, place the load in the area
over the rear wheels (behind the rear side door on wagon mod\
els).
If
you need to, cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood to fit inside the cross rails
and side rails to spread the load.
If plywood is used, tie it to the side
rail supports.
Tie the load to the cross rails or the side rail supports. Use the cross
rails only to keep the load from sliding.
If you need to carry long items, move the cross rails as far\
apart as
they will go. Tie the load to the cross rails and the side \
rails or side rail supports. Also tie the load to the bumpers.
Do not tie the load so tightly
that the cross rails or side rails are damaged.
After moving the cross rails, be sure to tighten all the slider screws.
To reduce wind noise, the cross rails must be installed with the \
narrow edge
toward the front of the vehicle.
Also, the front cross rail should be about 8 inches (200 mm) behind the front
anchor on Utility models.
2-8 1
ProCarManuals.com
Page 145 of 386
Features & Controls
mailer. Wiring Harness
K2373
The 7-wire harness is stored under your vehicle along the rear\
frame
crossmember. The harness has a
30 amp in-line fused battery feed wire and
no connector, and should be wired by a qualified electrical se\
rvice person.
Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or strap\
it
to your
vehicle’s frame rail. Be sure you leave it
loose enough so the wiring won’t
bind or break when turning with the trailer, but not
so loose that it drags on
the ground.
Store the harness in its original position. Wrap the harness t\
ogether and tie it neatly
so it won’t be damaged.
2-82
ProCarManuals.com
Page 192 of 386

Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about how to load \
your
vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your rear
axle. Put heavier 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.
rn CAUTION
m m
Cargo on the load floor piled higher than the seatbacks can be
thrown forward during
a sudden stop. You or your passengers
could
be injured. Keep cargo below the top of the seatbacks.
Unsecured
cargo on the load floor can be tossed about when
driving over rough terrain.
You or your passengers can be struck
by flying objects. Secure the cargo properly.
Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle’s center
of gravity,
making
.it more likely to roll over. You can be seriously or fatally
injured
if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads inside the cargo
area, not on the roof. Keep
cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and
low as possible. I
You’ll find other important information in this manual. See “Vehicle Loading”,
“Luggage Carrier” and “Tires” in the Index.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going to a \
:emote area.
Know the terrain and plan your route. You are much less likely
to get bad
surprises. Get accurate maps of trails and terrain.
Try to learn of any blocked
or closed roads.
It‘s also a good idea to travel with at least one other vehicle. If something
happens to one of them, the other can help quickly.
Does your vehicle have a winch?
If so, be sure to read the winch
instructions. In a remote area,
a winch can be handy if you get stuck. But
you’ll want to know how to use it properly.
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
It’s a good idea to practice in an area that’s safe and close to home befor\
e
you go into the wilderness. Off-road driving does require some \
new and
different driving skills. Here’s what
we mean.
4-25
ProCarManuals.com
Page 220 of 386

Winter Driving
r
AM480003
Here are some tips for winter driving.
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter. Be sure your engi\
ne coolant
mix is correct.
Snow tires can help in loose snow, but they may give you les\
s traction
on ice than regular tires.
If you do not expect to be driving in deep
snow, but may have to travel over ice, you may not want
to switch to
snow tires at all.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your vehicle.
Include
an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield
washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a
red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be
driiing under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of
old
carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably\
have
good traction.
However,
if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can
have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and
will
need to be very careful.
4-53
ProCarManuals.com