Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle Off Paved Roads
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have all-wheel
drive. If your vehicle does not have all-wheel drive,
you should not drive off-road unless you are on a level,
solid surface.
Many of the same design features that help make your
vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather
conditions — features like all-wheel drive — help make it
much better suited for off-road use. Its higher ground
clearance also helps your vehicle step over some off-road
obstacles. But your vehicle does not 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.
Also, seeBraking on page 4-6.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some de nite hazards. The greatest of these is
the terrain itself.“Off-roading” means you have left the North American
road system behind. Traffic lanes are not marked.
Curves are not banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill.
In short, you have gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that is why
it is very important that you read this guide. You will nd
many driving tips and suggestions. These will help make
your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out.
For example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Is there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully
in ated? Are the uid levels up where they should be?
What are the local laws that apply to off-roading
where you will be driving? If you do not know, you
should check with law enforcement people in the area.
Will you be on someone’s private land? If so, be
sure to get the necessary permission.
4-17
Buying New Tires.........................................5-72
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-74
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-75
Wheel Replacement......................................5-76
Tire Chains..................................................5-77
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-78
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-79
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-93
Appearance Care............................................5-94
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.................5-94
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-96
Weatherstrips...............................................5-96
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-97
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-99Finish Damage.............................................5-99
Underbody Maintenance................................5-99
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-99
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-100
Vehicle Identi cation.....................................5-101
Vehicle Identi cation Number (VIN)................5-101
Service Parts Identi cation Label...................5-101
Electrical System..........................................5-102
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-102
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-102
Power Windows and Other Power Options........5-102
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-103
Capacities and Speci cations........................5-111
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2
Winter Tires
If you expect to drive on snow or ice covered roads
often, you may want to get winter tires for your vehicle.
All season tires provide good overall performance on
most surfaces but they may not offer the traction
you would like or the same level of performance as
winter tires on roads covered with snow or ice.
See your dealer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also, seeBuying
New Tires on page 5-72.
If you choose to use snow tires:
Use tires of the same brand and tread type on all
four wheel positions.
Use only radial ply tires of the same size,
load range and speed rating as your original
equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original
equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W
and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose snow tires with
a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum
speed capability.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical P-Metric
and compact spare tire sidewall.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size code is a combination of
letters and numbers used to de ne a particular
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction type and
service description. See the “Tire Size Code” illustration
later in this section for more detail.P-Metric Tire Example
5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor System
Your vehicle may have this feature. The Tire Pressure
Monitor (TPM) system uses radio and sensor technology
to check tire pressure levels. If your vehicle has this
feature, sensors are mounted on each tire and wheel
assembly, except for the compact spare tire and wheel.
Tire pressure readings are sent to a receiver located
in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the TPM
system will display the Check Tire Pressure warning
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and, at
the same time, illuminate the low tire pressure warning
symbol, on the instrument panel cluster. For additional
information and details about the DIC operation and
displays seeSystem Controls on page 3-51and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-64.
When the tire pressure
monitoring system warning
light is lit, one or more
of your tires is signi cantly
under-in ated.You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and in ate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the vehicle’s tire information placard.
Driving on a signi cantly under-in ated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-in ation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread
life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability. Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended in ation pressure as speci ed in the
vehicle placard and owner’s manual.
The Certi cation/Tire label or the Tire and Loading
Information Label (your vehicle’s tire information placard)
shows the size of your vehicle’s original tires and the
recommended cold in ation pressure for your vehicle’s
tire. SeeIn ation - Tire Pressure on page 5-68. For
the location of the tire and loading information label, see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-47.
Your vehicle’s TPM system can alert you about a low
tire pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-71andTires on page 5-61.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your vehicle is
equipped with Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid
sealant can damage the tire pressure monitor
sensors.
5-69
The spare tire does not have a TPM sensor. If you
replace one of the road tires with the spare, the Service
Tire Monitor message will be displayed on the DIC
screen. This message should go off once you re-install
the road tire containing the TPM sensor. The Service
Tire Monitor message is also displayed when the TPM
system is malfunctioning. One or more missing or
inoperable TPM sensors will cause the service tire
monitor message to be displayed. See your dealer for
service.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. this device may not cause interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. this device may not cause interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
The tires on your vehicle are different sizes front to rear.
Due to this, your tires should not be rotated. Each tire
and wheel should be used only in the position it is in.
Check your tires and wheels regularly for unusual wear
and damage. Also see,Scheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4,When It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-72
andWheel Replacement on page 5-76.
5-71
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original
equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W
and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose snow tires with
a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum
speed capability.
If you replace your vehicle’s tires with those not having
a TPC Spec number, the tire pressure monitoring
system may give an inaccurate low-pressure warning.
Non-TPC Spec tires may give a low-pressure warning
that is higher or lower than the proper warning level you
would get with TPC Spec numbered tires.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
(other than those originally installed on your
vehicle) or types (radial and bias-belted tires),
the vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
sizes (other than those originally installed on
your vehicle) may also cause damage to your
vehicle. Be sure to use the correct size and
type tires on all wheels. It is alright to drive
with your compact spare temporarily, it was
developed for use on your vehicle. See
Compact Spare Tire on page 5-93.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim anges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you’ll need is located in the rear of the
vehicle.
1. If your vehicle has the cargo management system,
remove the storage bin to access the jack.
If your vehicle has the third row seat, remove the
head rest storage tray to access the jack.
A. Wing Nut
B. Jack
C. Wheel Wrench2. Turn the nut holding the jack (and storage tray, if
applicable) counterclockwise and remove it. Then
remove the jack and wheel wrench.
The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A) and
the wheel wrench (B).
5-80
Removing the Spare Tire
The compact spare tire is located under the vehicle,
ahead of the rear bumper. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 5-93for more information about the compact
spare.
A. Wheel Wrench
B. Cable
C. Retainer
D. Compact Spare Tire1. Open the storage compartment door of the cargo
management system that is nearest the liftgate
and remove the removable tub.
2. Attach the wheel wrench into the hoist shaft.
3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire to the ground. Continue turning the
wrench until the spare tire can be pulled out
from under the vehicle.
4. To remove the spare tire from the cable, tilt the
retainer and slip it through the wheel opening.
5. After removing the spare tire, turn the wrench
clockwise to raise the cable back up until you
feel two slips or hear two clicks.
Do not store a full-size or a at road tire under the
vehicle. See “Storing a Flat Tire and Tools” later
in this section.
To continue changing the at tire see “Removing the
Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire” later in this
section.
5-81