
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
4WD vehicles electronic shift transfer case (with automatic
transmissions)
4x4 vehicles with electronic shift on the fly cannot be towed with any
wheels on the ground.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Driving
157

Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
The rear crossbar can be adjusted to fit the item being carried. The front
crossbar does not move.
To adjust the luggage rack, push the
adjustment lever forward (toward
the front of the vehicle), then slide
the crossbar forward and lock the
adjusting levers by pushing them
down (toward the back of the
vehicle). Pull the crossbar rearward
to ensure that it is locked in place.
Load luggage at the front crossbar and adjust the rear crossbar as
necessary.
²Do not exceed 90.7 kg (200 lb) of luggage if the weight is placed
directly on the crossbars.
²Do not exceed 68 kg (150 lb) if the weight is resting directly on the
roof.
Use adjustable tie down loops to secure the load.
Driving
158

²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
Maintenance and care
213

Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Flat splash guards
Front end covers (full and sport)
Hood deflectors
Inside mirror with compass display
Inside mirror with compass and temperature display
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Outside signal mirror (requires power mirrors)
Rear air deflectors
Side window air deflectors
Spare tire lock
Touch-up paint
Universal floor mats
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
²When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
²The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
²Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
Customer assistance
245

Floor mats ...................................81
Fluid capacities .........................226
Foglamps .....................................20
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles ..12,144
control trac ........................22,145
description ..............................145
driving off road .......................147
electronic shift ...................22,146
indicator light ...........................12
preparing to
drive your vehicle ...................140
Fuel ............................................206
calculating fuel economy .......210
cap ...........................................209
capacity ...................................226
choosing the right fuel ...........208
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................213
detergent in fuel .....................209
filling your vehicle
with fuel ....................206,209,210
filter, specifications .........210,226
fuel pump shut-off switch .....160
gauge .........................................14
improving fuel economy ........210
low fuel warning light ................8
octane rating ....................208,232
quality ......................................208
running out of fuel .................209
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................206
Fuses ...................................161,162
Garage door opener ....................70
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............209
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................210
Gauges .........................................14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................14odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................16
trip odometer ............................15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....149
calculating ...............................151
definition .................................149
driving with a heavy load ......149
location ....................................149
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............149
calculating ........................149,151
definition .................................149
driving with a heavy load ......149
location ....................................149
Hazard flashers .........................160
Head restraints ......................92,97
Headlamps ...................................19
aiming ......................................221
autolamp system .......................20
bulb specifications ..................219
daytime running lights .............19
flash to pass ..............................19
high beam ............................11,19
replacing bulbs .......................216
turning on and off ....................19
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................51
heating and
air conditioning system ............51
Hood ..........................................182
Ignition .......................................232
positions of the ignition ...........62
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................123
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................215
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................224
cluster ...................................8,224
Index
250