Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
²Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. The manufacturer also recommends that
you make sure that you can install the child restraint in
the vehicle where you will use it before you buy it.
²The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
²Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
²The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching
latch plates designed to keep the lap portion or lap belt
tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. Pull up on the shoulder
portion of the lap/shoulder belt, or on the free end of
the lap belt to tighten the belt. The cinching latch plate
will keep the belt tight, however, any seat belt system
will loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally
and pull it tight if necessary.
²In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap belt or lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint
because the buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt
path opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch
plate from the buckle and twist the short buckle-end
belt several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate
into the buckle with the release button facing out.
²If the belt still cannot be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still cannot make the child restraint
secure, try a different seating position.
²Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer's instructions.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it with
the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle. Do not leave
it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or collision, it
could strike the occupants or seat backs and cause
serious personal injury.
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
To use your brakes and decelerate more safely, follow these
tips:
²Do not ªrideº the brakes by resting your foot on the pedal.
This could overheat the brakes and result in unpredictable
braking action, longer stopping distances, or brake damage.
²When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking can
cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmission
whenever possible.
²Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads, because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
²Engines may idle at higher speeds during warm-up, which
could cause rear wheels to spin and result in loss of vehicle
control. Be especially careful while driving on slippery
roads, in close-quarter maneuvering, parking or stopping.
Remember, always engage 4-wheel drive when driving on
slippery roads.
²Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially when
roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water can build up
between the tire tread and the road. This hydroplaning
action can cause loss of traction, braking ability, and
control. Under such conditions, engage 4-wheel drive.
²After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes may
become wet, resulting in poor performance and unpredict-
able braking action. Dry the brakes by gentle, intermittent
pedal action while driving at very slow speeds.
WARNING!
The weight and position of cargo and passengers can
change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle han-
dling. To avoid loss of control resulting in personal
injury, follow these guidelines:
²Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor, and
locate heavier objects as low and as far forward as
possible.
²Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
²Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of
the seatback. This could impair visibility or become
a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
²The rear cargo space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers, who should sit in
seats and use seat belts.
²On hardtop models, do not drive with the lift glass
up. On fabric top models, do not drive with the rear
window curtain up unless the side curtains are also
open. This will prevent dangerous exhaust fumes
from entering the vehicle.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING
Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE:
The tire placard is located on the lower driver's
side instrument panel.
Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about
the,
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire's load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR's) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR's, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.º on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
188 STARTING AND OPERATING
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement ªThe combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX poundsº on
your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if ªXXXº
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (1400±750 (5 x 15) =
650 lb.)5. determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).
STARTING AND OPERATING 189
5
WARNING!
A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on the
ground while filling.
Locking Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) Ð If Equipped
²
Turn the engine off.
²Insert the ignition key into the fuel cap, and turn the
key to the right to unlock the fuel cap. Rotate the fuel
cap to the left to remove.
²To replace the cap, insert it into the filler neck and
tighten the cap about 1/4 turn until you hear one click.
This is an indication that the cap is properly tightened.
²Make sure that the fuel cap tether strap is not caught
under the fuel cap.
²Be sure to remove the key.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not ªtop
offº the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:When the fuel nozzle ªclicksº or shuts off, the
fuel tank is full.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find information on limits to the
type of towing you can reasonably do with your vehicle.
Before towing a trailer, carefully review this information
to tow your load as efficiently and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the
ªMaintenance Schedulesº section. When your vehicle is
used for trailer towing, never exceed the gross axle
weight rating (GAWR) by the addition of:
²The tongue weight of the trailer.
202 STARTING AND OPERATING
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds to
the load on your vehicle.
Warranty Requirements
The manufacturer's warranty will apply to vehicles used
to tow trailers for noncommercial use, however the
following conditions must be met:
²The ªDº Overdrive range can be selected when tow-
ing. However, if frequent shifting occurs move the
shift lever to the next lower position to eliminate
excessive automatic transmission shifting. This action
will also reduce the possibility of transmission over-
heating and provide better engine braking. Refer to
ªTransmission Shiftingº in this section for additional
information.
²A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
²Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
mandatory for motoring safety.
²Follow the maintenance intervals in schedule ªBº for
changing the automatic transmission fluid and filter, if
you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation.
STARTING AND OPERATING 203
5
Spare Tire Location
To remove the spare tire from the carrier, remove the tire
cover, if equipped, and remove the lug nuts with the lug
wrench turning them counterclockwise. If equipped with
an anti-theft lug nut (A), use the ªKeyº (B) and the lug
wrench. The ªKeyº is stored in the glove box.
NOTE:If you have added aftermarket accessories to the
spare tire mounted carrier, it cannot exceed a gross
weight of 50 lbs (23 kg) including the weight of the spare
tire.
Tire Changing Procedures
WARNING!
You can be injured or killed if you try to change a
wheel too close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
Preparation
²
Park on a firm, level surface well off the road, to
provide ample work space. Place automatic transmis-
sion in P (Park), or manual transmission in R (Re-
verse), and stop engine. Set parking brake firmly and
activate hazard warning flasher.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 213
6