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Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on brie y when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) may display a
BRAKE FLUID message. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 182for more information.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push or the pedal may go
closer to the oor. It may take longer to stop.
Try turning off and restarting the vehicle one or two
times, if the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 247.
United StatesCanada
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{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle may have
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS).
This light will come on when your engine is started
and may stay on for several seconds. This is
normal.If the light stays on, turn the ignition to off. If the
light comes on and the chime sounds when
you are driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have antilock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do
not have antilock brakes and there is a problem
with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 168earlier in this section.
The ABS warning light will come on brie y
when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
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Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 210
Defensive Driving...................................... 210
Drunken Driving........................................ 211
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 214
Braking...................................................... 214
Antilock Brake System (ABS).................... 215
Braking in Emergencies............................. 217
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 217
Electronic Stability Control......................... 219
Steering.................................................... 221
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 224
Passing..................................................... 224
Loss of Control.......................................... 226
Driving at Night......................................... 227Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 228
City Driving............................................... 231
Freeway Driving........................................ 232
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 233
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 234
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 235
Winter Driving........................................... 237
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 241
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 242
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 242
Towing........................................................ 247
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 247
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 247
Towing a Trailer........................................ 250
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
the area around the front wheels. Turn off any
traction or stability system. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 217andElectronic Stability
Control on page 219. Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels
stop spinning before shifting gears. Release
the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning the
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that could free
your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it might need to be towed
out. If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 247.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Certi cation/Tire label.
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight
it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Vehicle Certi cation label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
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4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
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, the 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 for your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed nor intended to tow
any trailer.
Item Description Total
AMaximum Vehicle
Capacity Weight for
Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant and
Cargo Weight=700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
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{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 377.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy
towing, towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground, and dolly towing, towing your
vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two
wheels up on a device known as a dolly.
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With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See
“Dinghy Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you will want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving
on a Long Trip on page 233.
Dinghy Towing
When dinghy towing, the vehicle should be run at
the beginning of each day and at each RV fuel
stop for about ve minutes. This will ensure proper
lubrication of transmission components.
You may dinghy tow your vehicle from the front
following these steps:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Turn the ignition to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
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4. To prevent the battery from draining while the
vehicle is being towed, remove the following
fuse from the instrument panel fuse block:
(IGN SENSOR). SeeInstrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 343for more information.
5. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
6. Shift your transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember to reinstall the IGN SENSOR fuse
once you have reached your destination.
Notice:If you exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing
your vehicle.Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs would not
be covered by the warranty. Never have your
vehicle towed from the rear.
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