spare tire. Tire chains will not fit
properly on the T-type spare tire and
may cause damage to the vehicle.
When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the T-type spare tire
should be used on the rear wheel and
the original tire used on the front
wheels (drive wheels). Use tire chains
only on the front two original tires.
Tire tread of the T-type spare tire will
wear at a faster rate than the original
tire. Replace the T-type spare tire as
soon as the tread wear indicators
appear.
Because the T-type spare tire is
smaller than the original tire, ground
clearance is reduced. To avoid dam-
age to the vehicle do not drive over
obstacles. Also do not drive the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.
Do not use the T-type spare tire on
other vehicles.
Do not use more than one T-typespare tire at the same time.
Do not tow a trailer while the T-type
spare tire is installed.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-33
03.1.28/Z50-D/V5.0
9 Technical and consumer informationCapacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ................ 9-2
Fuel recommendation ...................................................... 9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation.................... 9-5
Recommended SAE viscosity number ....................... 9-6
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ............................................................. 9-6
Specifications.......................................................................... 9-7
Engine ................................................................................. 9-7
Wheels and tires .............................................................. 9-9
Dimensions and weights ................................................ 9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country.................................................................................... 9-10
Vehicle identification ........................................................... 9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ................ 9-10
Vehicle identification number (Chassis number) ... 9-10
Engine serial number .................................................... 9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ....................................... 9-11
Emission control information label ............................ 9-11
Tire placard ..................................................................... 9-12
Air conditioner specification label ............................. 9-12Installing front license plate .............................................. 9-13
Vehicle loading information ............................................... 9-14
Terms ................................................................................ 9-14
Determining vehicle load capacity ............................ 9-14
Loading tips .................................................................... 9-15
Payload weight capacity .............................................. 9-15
Measurement of weights ............................................. 9-15
Towing a trailer .................................................................... 9-16
Maximum load limits ...................................................... 9-16
Towing load/specification chart ................................. 9-18
Towing safety.................................................................. 9-18
Uniform tire quality grading............................................... 9-21
Emission control system warranty ................................... 9-22
Reporting safety defects (US only) ................................ 9-22
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test (US
only) ........................................................................................ 9-22
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information .......................................................................... 9-24
In the event of a collision ............................................ 9-24
03.1.28/Z50-D/V5.0
WHEELS AND TIRESRoad wheelType Size Offset in (mm)
Aluminum 18 x 7-1/2JJ 1.38 (35)
TireConventional P235/65R18 104T
SpareT165/90D18 107M
Conventional*
*: For Canada
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTSOverall length in (mm) 187.6 (4,767)
Overall width in (mm) 74.0 (1,880)
Overall height without roof rack rail in (mm) 66.5 (1,689)
Overall height with roof rack rail in (mm) 67.3 (1,709)
Front tread in (mm) 64.2 (1,630)
Rear tread in (mm) 64.0 (1,625)
Wheelbase in (mm) 111.2 (2,825)
Gross vehicle weight rating lb(kg)
See the F.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label on the driver’s side
lock pillar. Gross axle weight rating
Front lb(kg)
Rear lb(kg)
Technical and consumer information
9-9
03.1.28/Z50-D/V5.0
LOADING TIPSThere are tie down hooks located in the cargo
area. The tie down hooks can be used to secure
cargo with ropes or other types of straps.
The GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S. certi-
fication label.
Do not load the front and rear axle to the
GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.
WARNING
Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
Do not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum front
and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts on
your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles.
This could result in loss of control
and cause personal injury.
Overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle. Failures caused by over-
loading are not covered by your war-
ranty.PAYLOAD WEIGHT CAPACITYThe payload weight capacity is the maximum
total weight of passengers, optional equipment
(air conditioning, trailer hitch, etc.) and cargo
that your vehicle is designed to carry.Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm that you
do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for your vehicle. See “Vehicle loading
information” earlier in this section for details.
Also check tires for proper inflation pressures.
See the tire placard affixed to the glove box lid.
Payload Weight Capacity Unit: lb(kg)
VQ35DE
2WD AWD
US 1,050 (475) 1,090 (495)
Canada — 1,070 (485)
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTSSecure loose items to prevent weight shifts that
could affect the balance of your vehicle. When
the vehicle is loaded, drive to a scale and weight
the front and the rear wheels separately to
determine axle loads. Individual axle loads
should not exceed either of the gross axle weight
ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle loads
should not exceed the gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR). These ratings are given on the
vehicle certification label that is located on the
driver’s door lock pillar. If weight ratings are
exceeded, move or remove items to bring all
weights below the ratings.
STI0343
Technical and consumer information
9-15
03.1.28/Z50-D/V5.0
After the hitch is removed, seal the
bolt holes to prevent exhaust fumes,
water or dust from entering the pas-
senger compartment.
Regularly check all hitch mounting
bolts are securely mounted.
To reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
struck from the rear, where practical,
remove the hitch and/or receiver
when not in use.
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Tire pressuresWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle tires
to the recommended cold tire pressure indi-
cated on the tire placard (located on the
driver’s door center pillar).
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in accor-
dance with the trailer and tire manufacturers’
specifications.
Safety chainAlways use a suitable chain between your ve-
hicle and the trailer. The chain should be
crossed and should be attached to the hitch, not
to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chain to permit turning
corners.Trailer lightsTrailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. When wiring the vehicle for
towing, connect the stop and tail light pickup
into the vehicle electrical circuit at a point be-
tween the sensor and stop light or light switch.Trailer brakesIf your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Pre-towing tipsBe certain your vehicle maintains a levelposition when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down con-
dition; check for improper tongue load, over-
load, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.
Be certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability, and braking per-
formance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle andTechnical and consumer information
9-19
03.1.28/Z50-D/V5.0
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so,
first block the wheels and apply the parking
brake, and then move the selector lever into
the P (Park) position. If you move the selector
lever to the P (Park) position before blocking
the wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.
If the transmission fluid rises to an extremely
high temperature, a high fluid temperature
protection mode may operate. See page
5-13 for details. If necessary, pull to the side
of the road at a safe place and let the
transmission cool before continuing.
Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended main-
tenance schedule.
When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, make
a larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakesto overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.
9-20
Technical and consumer information
03.1.28/Z50-D/V5.0
DOT (Department Of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature ATreadwearTreadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on tire wear rate when tested under controlled
conditions on specified government test
courses. For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and a half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. How-
ever, relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.Traction AA, A, B and CThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteristics.Temperature A, B and CTemperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C. They represent a tire’s resistance to heat
build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause tire material to degener-
ate, reducing tire life. Excessive temperatures
can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C corre-
sponds to a performance level which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A and
B represent higher levels of performance on
laboratory test wheels than the minimum re-
quired by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat buildup and pos-
sible tire failure.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
Technical and consumer information
9-21
03.1.28/Z50-D/V5.0
10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)................................ 5-22
Aiming control, headlights....................................... 2-22
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front air bag
system) .................................................................. 1-15
Side and curtain (See supplemental side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag systems) .... 1-17
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-20
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-20, 2-12
Air cleaner housing filter.......................................... 8-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation .................................. 4-15
Air conditioner service ........................... 4-15, 4-18
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-12
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ...................................... 4-18, 9-6
Heater and air conditioner (automatic) ......... 4-15
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-5
All wheel drive (AWD) ............................................. 5-17
Anchor point locations
Top tether strap .................................................. 1-41
Antenna ........................................................................ 4-31
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .............................. 5-22
Anti-lock brake warning light .................................... 2-9
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-3Armrest ........................................................................... 1-9
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-15
Audio operation precautions .................................. 4-20
Audio, steering switch for audio system ............. 4-30
Audio system .............................................................. 4-19
Autochanger, Compact Disc (CD) ....................... 4-28
Autolight system ........................................................ 2-21
Automatic
Anti-glare inside mirror ...................................... 3-15
Drive positioner ................................................... 3-16
Automatic seat positioner, seat ............................. 3-16
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-4
AWD lock switch operations ................................. 5-18
B
Back door ...................................................................... 3-9
Battery .......................................................................... 8-14
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-22
Battery replacement, (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-7
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-9
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-15
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ......................... 5-22
Brake booster ...................................................... 8-20
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-12
Brake pedal .......................................................... 8-19
Brake pedal check ............................................. 8-20Brake system ....................................................... 5-21
Parking brake check............................... 5-14, 8-19
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-14
Warning light ....................................................... 2-10
Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-16
Bulbcheck/instrument panel .................................... 2-9
Bulbreplacement ...................................................... 8-24
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-31
Cargo (See vehicle loading information)............. 2-32
Cargo net .................................................................... 2-32
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-29
Cellular phone holder ............................................... 2-28
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-32
Installation on front passenger seat............... 1-42
Installation on rear seat center or outboard
positions ................................................................ 1-34
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-32
Top tether strap anchor point locations ....... 1-41
With top tether strap ......................................... 1-40
Child safety ................................................................. 1-24
Child safety rear door lock ........................................ 3-4
Chimes, Audible reminders..................................... 2-15
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-21
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-3
03.1.28/Z50-D/V5.0