Page 105 of 319

Always run the engine when you use
the AC Power Outlet.The maximum capacity f or this
power outlet is 115 volt AC at 100
watts or less. If you use an appliance
which requires more than 100 watts,
it automatically stops supplying the
power. If this happens, turn the
ignition switch of f and turn it on
again.
The AC power outlet is not
designed f or electric appliances
which require high initial peak
wattage such as cathode-ray tube
type televisions, ref rigerators,
electric pumps, etc. It is also not
suitable f or devices that process
precise data such as medical
equipment or measuring instruments.
Any appliances that require an
extremely stable power supply such
as microcomputer-controlled electric
blankets, touch sensor lamps, etc.,
should not be connected to this
outlet. ON
All the individual map lights come
onandstayonaslongasthe
switch remains in the ON position.
The individual map lights in the
f ront can be turned on and of f with
the switches next to the lights. None of the lights come on when a
door or the tailgate is opened.
There is a 115 volt AC power outlet
in the console compartment. To use
the AC power outlet, open the
console compartment lid and open
the outlet cover. Insert the plug into
the receptacle slightly, turn it 90°
clockwise, then push in the plug all
the way.
When this switch is in the position:
If equipped
When the switch is in the OFF position:
Interior Convenience Items, Interior L ights
AC Power OutletLight Control Switch
102
NOTE:
DOOR
ACTIVATED
POSITIONOFF
ON
Page 112 of 319

Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperatu re gauge (see page
). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected (LX model), or the
display shows A/C ON (EX and
EX-L models).
Make sure the temperature is set
to maximum cool.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
The system automatically
turns on the A/C and switches to
recirculation mode. Air f lows f rom
the center and side vents in the
dashboard. In this mode, you cannot
turn of f the A/C and also cannot
switch to f resh air mode.
When you switch to f rom , the A/C stays on, and you
can turn it on and of f manually.
When you switch to another mode,
the A/C returns to its original setting,
either on or of f , as displayed by the
A/C indicator. The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then discharges
it through vents near the tailgate.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system. Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3. 5.71On LX models
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Using the A/C
Ventilation
MA X A /C
Using the Heater
Features
109
Page 188 of 319
Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .186
.................
Fuel Recommendation .186
.........
Service Station Procedures .187
....................................
Ref ueling .187
Opening and Closing the
.......................................
Hood .188
...................................
Oil Check .189
.............
Engine Coolant Check .190
...............................
Fuel Economy .190
...
Accessories and Modif ications .191
.............................
Carrying Cargo .193
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
185
Page 189 of 319

Help assure your vehicle’s future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
accele ration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also follow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exch anged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. In
addition, in order to maintain good
performance, fuel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-b ased
fuel additives such as MMT.
Your
vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persi stent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
We recommend using quality
gasolines containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits. Some
gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxyg enated gasoline
containing up to 10 % eth anol by
volume and up to 15 % MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service. If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
220
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
186
Page 190 of 319

Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat. Park with the driver’s side closest
to the service station pump.Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top of f ’’ the tank. Leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
even though the tank is not f ull,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
f uel vapor f rom going into the
atmosphere. Try f illing at another
pump. If this does not f ix the
problem, consult your dealer.
Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
The fuel fill cap is attached to the
f uel f iller with a tether. Put the
attachment on the f uel f ill cap into
the slit on the f uel f ill door.
1.
2. 3.
4.
If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of f
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedures
Ref ueling
Bef ore Driving
187
Pull
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine, and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Page 192 of 319
Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.
Holding the grip, pull the support
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in the
hood.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched. 1.
2.
3.
4.
3. 239
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil
Oil Check
Bef ore Driving
189
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
SUPPORT ROD CLIP GRIP
Page 193 of 319

Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehic le uses extra
fuel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Always
maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages displayed in the
information display. See
on page
.
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page for
info rmation on adding the proper
coolan t.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle. Always drive in the highest gear
possible. Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel. The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel. 234
For example,
242
234
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coola
nt
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
190
RESERVE TANK
MAX
MIN
Improving Fuel Economy
Page 200 of 319

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the VTM-4 system (4WD
models only), the VSA system, the
tire pressure monitoring system, and
f acts you need if you are planning to
tow a trailer.........................
Driving Guidelines .198
.......................
Starting the Engine .199
..............
Automatic Transmission .200
..............................
VTM-4 System .204
Tire Pressure Monitoring
........................
System (TPMS) .205
..................................
Parking Tips .207
.............................
Braking System .208
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .209
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .211
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .212
...........................
Towing a Trailer .213
......................
Trailer Driving Tips .219
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
................................
Motorhome .221
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .222
Driving
Driving
197