
Off-Road Driving
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 278.
The airbag system is designed to work properly
under a wide range of conditions, including off-road
usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially
on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt.
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 the vehicle has
them, 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.
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Tires............................................................ 398
Winter Tires.............................................. 400
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 401
Tire Terminology and De nitions............... 404
In ation - Tire Pressure............................. 407
High-Speed Operation............................... 409
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 410
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 414
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 416
Buying New Tires...................................... 416
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 418
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 419
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 420
Wheel Replacement.................................. 421
Tire Chains............................................... 422
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 423
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 424
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 426
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 429
Secondary Latch System........................... 436
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 439
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 442Appearance Care........................................ 443
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 443
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 445
Leather...................................................... 446
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 446
Wood Panels............................................. 447
Speaker Covers........................................ 447
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 447
Weatherstrips............................................ 447
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 447
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 448
Finish Care............................................... 448
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 449
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 449
Tires......................................................... 450
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 450
Finish Damage.......................................... 451
Underbody Maintenance............................ 451
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 451
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 452
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
344

Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) 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. The
TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in your
vehicle’s tires and transmit the tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle. The
TPMS is designed to alert the driver if a low
pressure condition exists.
Using the Driver Information Center (DIC), the
driver can also check tire pressure levels using the
DIC. For additional information and details about
the DIC operation and displays seeDIC Controls
and Displays on page 215andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 220.When a low tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPMS illuminates the low tire pressure warning
symbol located in the instrument panel cluster,
and at the same time a DIC message to check the
pressure in a speci c tire also appears on the
DIC display. The low tire pressure warning symbol
and the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message on
the DIC display appear at each ignition cycle until
the tires are in ated to the correct in ation
pressure.
You may notice, during cooler weather conditions,
the low tire pressure warning light and DIC
warning message may come on when the vehicle
is rst started, and then turn off as you start to
drive. This could be an early indicator that the air
pressure in the tire(s) is getting low and needs
to be in ated to the proper pressure.
410