Page 187 of 287

In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.This switch is under the lef t vent.
Press it to turn the VSA system on
and off.
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
Deactivate the VSA system if you
need to drive with the compact spare
tire installed (see page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.
226
234
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
VSA Of f Switch VSA and Tire Sizes
184
VSA OFF SWITCH
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Page 192 of 287

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ). Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below. The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques. Driveslowerthannormalinall
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
UsetheDpositionwhentowinga
trailer on level roads. Do not exceed
55 mph (88 km/h). At higher speeds,
thetrailermayswayoraffectvehicle
handling.
D is the proper shif t lever position
tousewhentowingatrailerinhilly
terrain.
185 186 224
3
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railerT owing Speeds and Gears
Towing a Trailer
Driving
189
06/08/08 14:47:07 31SDR620_194
Page 227 of 287

While tubeless tires have some
ability to self -seal if they are
punctured, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.
If you check air pressures when the
tires are hot (driven f or several
miles), you will see readings 4 to 6
psi (30 to 40 kPa, 0.3 to 0.4 kgf /cm )
higher than the cold readings. This
is normal. Do not let air out to match
the recommended cold air pressure.
The tire will be underinf lated.
Youshouldgetyourowntire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier f or you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure in each tire at least once a
month. Even tires that are in good
condition may lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per
month. Remember to check the
sparetireatthesametime.
Check the air pressures when the
tires are cold. This means the
vehicle has been parked f or at least 3
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6
km). Add or release air, if needed, to
match the recommended cold tire
pressures on the next page.
The following chart shows the
recommended cold tire pressures f or
most normal and high-speed driving
conditions.
Thecompactsparetirepressureis:
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
For additional inf ormation about
your tires, seepage.261
Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
for Normal Driving
Front/Rear:
Recommended T ire Pressure
Tires
224
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
P215/60R16 94V 32 psi (220 kPa ,
2.2 kgf/cm)
06/08/08 14:52:29 31SDR620_229
Page 236 of 287

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.
......................Compact Spare Tire . 234
....................Changing a Flat Tire . 235
.............If the Engine Won’t Start . 239
Nothing Happens or the
Starter Motor Operates
............................Very Slowly . 239
The Starter Operates
................................Normally . 240
................................Jump Starting . 241
..............If the Engine Overheats . 243
.........Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 245
..........Charging System Indicator . 245
.......Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 246
.......................Readiness Codes . 246
...............Brake System Indicator . 247
..................Closing the Moonroof . 248
..............................................Fuses . 249
..............................Fuse Locations . 253
......................Emergency Towing . 255
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
233
06/08/08 14:53:40 31SDR620_238
Page 237 of 287

Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving. Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
samewheel.Thesparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Turn of f the VSA system (see
pages and ). Driving with
thecompactsparetiremay
activate the VSA.183 184
Compact Spare Tire
234
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
06/08/08 14:53:51 31SDR620_239
Page 238 of 287

Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well. Take the tool tray out of the trunk,
and take the tools out of the tool
tray.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
The tools are in the trunk. Open
the trunk and raise the trunk f loor
by lif ting up on the back edge.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
5. 4.
3. 2. 1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
235
TOOL TRAY
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
06/08/08 14:54:01 31SDR620_240
Page 240 of 287
CONT INUED
Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel nut wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten the
wheel nuts f ully.
Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.
Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving. 13.
11.
12.
10.
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
237
BRAKE HUB
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)
06/08/08 14:54:18 31SDR620_242
Page 241 of 287
Remove the center cap before
storing the f lat tire in the trunk
well.Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
Remove the spacer cone f rom the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.Securetheflattirebyscrewing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
Store the jack and tools in the tool
tray, and place the tool tray back
in the trunk.
14. 15. 16.17.
18.
Changing a Flat Tire
238
WING BOLT
SPACER CONE
CENTER CAP
06/08/08 14:54:26 31SDR620_243