3-70 INSTRUMENT PANEL
78J00-03E
Remote Control
To use the remote control, aim it at the
transmitter window at the rear of the RSE
overhead console and press the desired
button. Direct sunlight or very bright light
may affect the ability of the RSE transmit-
ter to receive signals from the remote con-
trol. If the remote control does not seem to
be working, the batteries may need to be
replaced. See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section. Objects blocking the line of
sight may also affect the function of the
remote control.
If a CD or DVD is in the Radio DVD slot,
the remote control power button can be
used to turn on the video screen display
and start the disc. The radio can also turn
on the video screen display. Refer to
“Radio with CD and DVD (MP3)” in this
section for more information.Remote control buttons
1523717
(Power):
Press this button to turn the video screen
on and off.
(Illumination):
Press this button to turn the remote control
backlight on. The backlight will automati-
cally time out after seven to ten seconds if
no other button is pressed while the back-
light is on.
(Title):
Press this button to return the DVD to the
main menu of the DVD. This function may
vary for each disc.
(Main Menu):
Press this button to access the DVD menu.
The DVD menu is different on every DVD.
Use the up, down, left, and right arrow but-
tons to move the cursor around the DVD
menu. After making a selection press theenter button. This button only operates
when using a DVD.
, , , (Menu Navigation
Arrows):
Use the arrow buttons to navigate through
a menu.
(Enter):
Press this button to select the choice that
is highlighted in any menu.
(Display Menu):
Press this button to adjust the brightness,
screen display mode (normal, full, or
zoom), and display the language menu.
(Return):
Press this button to exit the current active
menu and return to the previous menu.
This button will operate only when the dis-
play menu or a DVD menu is active.
(Stop):
Press this button to stop playing, rewind-
ing, or fast forwarding a DVD. Press this
button twice to return to the beginning of
the DVD.
(Play/Pause):
Press this button to start playing a DVD.
Press this button while a DVD is playing to
pause it. Press it again to continue playing
the DVD.
When the DVD is playing, depending on
the radio, you may be able to do slow play
by pressing the pause button then pressing
the fast forward button. The DVD will con-
CAUTION
Storing the remote control in a hot
area or in direct sunlight can damage
it, and the repairs will not be covered
by your warranty. Keep the remote
control stored in a cool, dry place.
4-8 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
into the right lane again. A simple maneu-
ver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle
on a two-lane highway is a potentially dan-
gerous move, since the passing vehicle
occupies the same lane as oncoming traf-
fic for several seconds. A miscalculation,
an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to
frustration or anger can suddenly put the
passing driver face to face with the worst of
all traffic accidents – the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the
sides, and to crossroads for situations
that might affect your passing patterns. If
you have any doubt whatsoever about
making a successful pass, wait for a bet-
ter time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement mark-
ings, and lines. If you can see a sign up
ahead that might indicate a turn or an
intersection, delay your pass. A broken
center line usually indicates it is all right
to pass, providing the road ahead is
clear. Never cross a solid line on your
side of the lane or a double solid line,
even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want to pass while you are awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following too
closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you are following a larger
vehicle. Also, you will not have adequatespace if the vehicle ahead suddenly
slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable
distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is
coming up, start to accelerate but stay in
the right lane and do not get too close.
Time your move so you will be increas-
ing speed as the time comes to move
into the other lane. If the way is clear to
pass, you will have a running start that
more than makes up for the distance you
would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to can-
cel your pass, you need only slow down
and drop back again and wait for another
opportunity.
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a
slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take
care that someone is not trying to pass
you as you pull out to pass the slow vehi-
cle. Remember to glance over your
shoulder and check the blind spot.
Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance
over your shoulder, and start your left
lane change signal before moving out of
the right lane to pass. When you are far
enough ahead of the passed vehicle to
see its front in your vehicle’s inside mir-
ror, activate the right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane.
Remember that your vehicle’s passen-
ger side outside mirror is convex. The
vehicle you just passed may seem to be
farther away from you than it really is. Try not to pass more than one vehicle at
a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider
before passing the next vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle
too rapidly. Even though the brake lamps
are not flashing, it may be slowing down
or starting to turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for
the following driver to get ahead of you.
Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of ControlLet us review what driving experts say
about what happens when the three con-
trol systems – brakes, steering, and accel-
eration – do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep
trying to steer and constantly seek an
escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the
vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to exist-
ing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always pos-
sible.
The three types of skids correspond to
your vehicle’s three control systems. In the
braking skid, your wheels are not rolling. In
the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to
slip and lose cornering force. And in the
4-10 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass
makes lights dazzle and flash more than
clean glass would, making the pupils of
your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that the headlamps light up far
less of a roadway when you are in a turn or
curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it
is easier to pick out dimly lighted objects.
Just as the headlamps should be checked
regularly for proper aim, so should your
eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers
suffer from night blindness – the inability to
see in dim light – and are not even aware
of it.Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
1527470
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trou-
ble. On a wet road, you cannot stop, accel-
erate, or turn as well because your tire-to-
road traction is not as good as on dryroads. And, if your tires do not have much
tread left, you will get even less traction. It
is always wise to go slower and be cau-
tious if rain starts to fall while you are driv-
ing. The surface may get wet suddenly
when your reflexes are tuned for driving on
dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in
good shape, a heavy rain can make it
harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road,
and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiper and
washer system in good shape and keep
your windshield washer fluid reservoir filled
with washer fluid. Replace your windshield
wiper inserts when they show signs of
streaking or missing areas on the wind-
shield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.
Driving too fast through large water pud-
dles or even going through some carwashes can cause problems, too. The
water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow
down before you hit them.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much
water can build up under your tires that
they can actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it
can if your tires do not have much tread or
if the pressure in one or more is low. It can
happen if a lot of water is standing on the
road. If you can see reflections from trees,
telephone poles, or other vehicles, and
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there
could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher
speeds. There just is not a hard and fast
rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when it is raining.
WARNING
Wet brakes can cause accidents.
They may not work as well in a quick
stop and may cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle. After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car wash, apply
the brake pedal lightly until the
brakes work normally.
4-11 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Driving Through Flowing Water
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Turn on your low-beam headlamps – not
just your parking lamps – to help make
you more visible to others. Besides slowing down, allow some extra
following distance. And be especially
careful when you pass another vehicle.
Allow yourself more clear room ahead,
and be prepared to have your view
restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth.
Refer to “Tires” in the “Service and
Appearance Care” section.
City Driving
1527452
One of the biggest problems with city
streets is the amount of traffic on them.
You will want to watch out for what the
other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety in
city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you
are going. Get a city map and plan yourtrip into an unknown part of the city just
as you would for a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and
crisscross most large cities. You will
save time and energy. Refer to “Freeway
Driving” in this section.
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A
traffic light is there because the corner is
busy enough to need it. When a light
turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that
have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
Freeway Driving
808373
Mile for mile, freeways – also called thru-
ways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes,
or superhighways – are the safest of all
roads. But they have their own special
rules.
CAUTION
If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can
come in through the engine’s air
intake and badly damage the engine.
Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of
your vehicle. If you cannot avoid
deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
WARNING
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. If you try to drive
through flowing water, as you might
at a low water crossing, your vehicle
can be carried away. As little as six
inches of flowing water can carry
away a smaller vehicle. If this hap-
pens, you and other vehicle occu-
pants could drown. Do not ignore
police warning signs, and otherwise
be very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
4-12 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
The most important advice on freeway
driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to
the right. Drive at the same speed most of
the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic
flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a
passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp
that leads to the freeway. If you have a
clear view of the freeway as you drive
along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you
expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge
into the gap at close to the prevailing
speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors, and glance over your shoul-
der as often as necessary. Try to blend
smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your
speed to the posted limit or to the prevail-
ing rate if it is slower. Stay in the right lane
unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors.
Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance
quickly over your shoulder to make sure
there is not another vehicle in your blind
spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway,
make certain you allow a reasonable fol-
lowing distance. Expect to move slightly
slower at night.When you want to leave the freeway, move
to the proper lane well in advance. If you
miss your exit, do not, under any circum-
stances, stop and back up. Drive on to the
next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply. The exit speed is usually
posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long TripMake sure you are ready. Try to be well
rested. If you must start when you are not
fresh – such as after a day’s work – do not
plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you
keep it serviced and maintained, it is ready
to go. If it needs service, have it done
before starting out. Of course, you will find
experienced and able service experts in
dealerships all across North America.
They will be ready and willing to help if you
need it.Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Is the reservoir full? Are all windows
clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:
Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
Lamps:
Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:
They are vitally important to a safe, trou-
ble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all
inflated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:
What is the weather outlook along your
route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway HypnosisIs there actually such a condition as high-
way hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling
asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hyp-
nosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery, along with
the hum of the tires on the road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you
sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it
4-15 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
vehicle has a traction system, you will want
to slow down and adjust your driving to the
road conditions. Under certain conditions,
you may want to turn the traction system
off, such as when driving through deep
snow and loose gravel, to help maintain
vehicle motion at lower speeds. Refer to
“Traction Control System (TCS)” and
“Electronic Stability Control” in this section.
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
improves your vehicle’s stability when you
make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even
though you have ABS, you will want to
begin stopping sooner than you would on
dry pavement. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS)” in this section.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might
be fine until you hit a spot that is covered
with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice
patches may appear in shaded areas
where the sun cannot reach, such as
around clumps of trees, behind build-
ings, or under bridges. Sometimes the
surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead
of you, brake before you are on it. Try not
to brake while you are actually on the
ice, and avoid sudden steering maneu-
vers.If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you
could be in a serious situation. You should
probably stay with your vehicle unless you
know for sure that you are near help and
you can hike through the snow. Here are
some things to do to summon help and
keep yourself and your passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard flashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert
police that you have been stopped by the
snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket
around you. If you do not have blankets
or extra clothing, make body insulators
from newspapers, burlap bags, rags,
floor mats – anything you can wrap
around yourself or tuck under your cloth-
ing to keep warm.
808411
You can run the engine to keep warm, but
be careful.
Run your engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine,
make it go a little faster than just idle. That
is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses
less fuel for the heat that you get and it
keeps the battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signal-
ing later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the
window almost all the way to preserve the
heat. Start the engine again and repeat
this only when you feel really uncomfort-
WARNING
Snow can trap exhaust gases under
your vehicle. This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get
inside. CO could overcome you and
kill you. You cannot see it or smell it,
so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking the
exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the
side of the vehicle that is away from
the wind. This will help keep CO out.
4-24 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added
weight of the trailer. And always keep in
mind that the vehicle you are driving is now
a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety chains, elec-
trical connector, lamps, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer mov-
ing and then apply the trailer brake control-
ler by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lamps and any trailer brakes are still work-
ing.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle
ahead as you would when driving your
vehicle without a trailer. This can help you
avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up
ahead when you are towing a trailer. And,
because you are a good deal longer, you
will need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the
left, just move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
When you are turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so your
trailer will not strike soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to
have extra wiring.
The arrows on your instrument panel will
flash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps will also flash, telling other drivers
you are about to turn, change lanes or
stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if
the bulbs on the trailer are burned out.
Thus, you may think drivers behind you are
seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure
the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you do not shift down, you
might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer work
well.
Parking on Hills
But if you ever have to park your rig on a
hill, do the following:
1) Apply your regular brakes, but do not
shift into PARK (P) yet.
2) Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3) When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
CAUTION
Making very sharp turns while traile-
ring could cause the trailer to come
in contact with the vehicle. Your vehi-
cle could be damaged. Avoid making
very sharp turns while trailering.
WARNING
You really should not park your vehi-
cle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be
injured, and both your vehicle and
the trailer can be damaged.
5-23 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
How to Check Lubricant
AWD Differential Case
1716440
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain Plug
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle
should be on a level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler
plug hole, you’ll need to add some lubri-
cant. Add enough lubricant to raise the
level to the bottom of the filler plug hole. A
fluid loss could indicate a problem; check
and have it repaired, if needed.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
Refer to “Recommended Fluids and Lubri-
cants” in “Maintenance Schedule” in the
“Maintenance Schedule” section.
Bulb ReplacementFor the proper type of replacement bulbs,
refer to “Replacement Bulbs” in this sec-
tion.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed
in this section, contact your dealer.Halogen BulbsTaillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps
1802291
A. Stoplamp/Taillamp/Sidemarker Lamp
B. Turn Signal Lamp/Taillamp
C. Backup Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs, do the fol-
lowing:
1) Open the liftgate. Refer to “Liftgate” in
“Doors and Locks” in the “Features and
Controls” section for more information.
WARNING
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas
inside and can burst if you drop or
scratch the bulb. You or others could
be injured. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions on the bulb package.