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Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS), the system indicator light may illuminate depending on
how much air is released from your tires and/or how long you drive the
vehicle under these conditions.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
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Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’tbe
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump”the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since
your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not“pump”the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of AWD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
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Engine oil ..................................328
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................328
checking and adding ..............328
dipstick ....................................328
filter, specifications ........331, 351
recommendations ...................331
refill capacities ........................352
specifications ..................354, 356
Exhaust fumes ..........................268
F
Fail safe cooling ........................337
Floor mats .................................155
Fluid capacities .........................352
Foglamps ...................................104
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
driving off road .......................285
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................275
Fuel ............................................338
calculating fuel
economy ..........................143, 343
cap ...........................................340
capacity ...................................352
choosing the right fuel ...........341
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................346
detergent in fuel .....................342
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................338, 340, 343
filter, specifications ........343, 351
fuel pump shut-off switch .....293
improving fuel economy ........343
octane rating ...................342, 356
quality ......................................342
running out of fuel .................342
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................338Fuses ..................................294–295
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless
control system) .........................137
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............340
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................343
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers .........................293
Head restraints .........................176
Headlamps .................................104
aiming ......................................107
autolamp system .....................104
bulb specifications ..................111
daytime running lights ...........106
flash to pass ............................107
high beam ...............................106
replacing bulbs .......................113
turning on and off ..................104
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................137
I
Ignition ...............................265, 356
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................211
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................348
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................322
cluster ........................................10
J
Jack ....................................229, 232
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Index
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