If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
WARNING: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles are not designed for cornering at speeds as high
as passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars are
designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions.
Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt maneuvers in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and
reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
WARNING: Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
164
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to the driveshafts and
tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
Replace rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. The rear axle does not normally require a lubricant change for the
life of the vehicle. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected or repair is required.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes. You could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know the conditions on the
other side of a hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting
to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This
reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than 10 mph (16 km/h), the speed control
will cancel automatically. Resume speed with accelerator pedal.
If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button (to resume speeds over 30 mph
[50 km/h]).
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
a lower gear.
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
166
Driving on snow and ice
A 4WD vehicle has advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
When braking, apply the brakes as you normally would. In order to allow
the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to operate properly, keep steady
pressure on the brake pedal.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
167
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
14 — Not used
15 — Not used
16 — Not used
17 40A** Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
module
18 — Not used
19 20A** Engine fan
20 — Not used
21 10A* PCM keep alive power, Canister
purge valve solenoid
22 — Not used
23 30A* Fuel pump motor, Fuel injectors
24 — Not used
25 10A* A/C clutch solenoid
26 — Not used
27 — Not used
28 — Not used
29 30A* Wipers/washer
30 — Not used
31 — Not used
32 — Not used
33 30A* Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
module
34 — Not used
35 — Not used
36 — Not used
37 — Not used
38 7.5A* Trailer tow (right turn)
39 15A* PCM power
40 — Not used
41 10A* Automatic transmission
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
175
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
15 — Not used
16 — Not used
17 40A** Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
module
18 — Not used
19 — Not used
20 — Not used
21 10A* PCM keep alive power, Canister
purge valve solenoid
22 — Not used
23 30A* Fuel pump motor, Fuel injectors
24 — Not used
25 10A* A/C clutch solenoid
26 — Not used
27 20A* 4x4 module
28 — Not used
29 30A* Wipers/washer
30 — Not used
31 15A* Foglamps
32 — Not used
33 30A* Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
module
34 — Not used
35 — Not used
36 — Not used
37 — Not used
38 7.5A* Trailer tow (right turn)
39 15A* PCM power
40 — Not used
41 10A* Automatic transmission
42 7.5A* Trailer tow (left turn)
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
178
Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and place
gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or 1
(First) (manual transmission).
2. Set the parking brake and turn
engine OFF.
Location of the spare tire and tools
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the TPMS system, all road wheels equipped with the tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat tire serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent
damage to the TPMS sensor, refer toTire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheel and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare
tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper
Jack, jack handle, wheel nut
wrenchRegular Cab: behind seats and
underneath the jack and tools
cover
Cab Plus 4–Door: stowed behind
the front seats, between jump
seats and underneath jack and
tools cover. The lug wrench is held
in place with a wingnut.
Key, spare tire lock (if equipped) In the glove box
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
182
3. Insert the square end of the
jack handle into the rear access
hole located just above the rear
bumper and below the tailgate.
Forward motion will stop and
resistance to turning will be felt
when properly engaged.
4. Turn the handle
counterclockwise until tire is
lowered to the ground and the
cable is slightly slack.
5. Remove the retainer from the
spare tire.
Tire change procedure
WARNING:
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transmission alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or
slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or R (Reverse) (manual transmission).
WARNING: To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change a tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in
both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other
side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
WARNING: If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone
else could be seriously injured.
WARNING: Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to
avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
184
WARNING: When a wheel is installed, always remove any
corrosion, dirt or foreign materials present on the mounting
surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub, brake
drum or brake disc that contacts the wheel. Ensure that any
fasteners that attach the rotor to the hub are secured so they
do not interfere with the mounting surfaces of the wheel.
Installing wheels without correct metal-to-metal contact at the
wheel mounting surfaces can cause the wheel nuts to loosen
and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion,
resulting in loss of control.
Note:If there is corrosion on the area where the wheel contacts the
hub, apply a thin film of grease or anti-seize compound on that area.
OVERHEATING
If the temperature gauge indicates overheating and you experience
power loss, you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine is
probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and park off the right-of-way.
2. Shift the automatic transmission into P (Park) or the manual
transmission into the neutral position, and apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
WARNING: Steam from an overheated engine is dangerous. The
escaping steam could seriously burn you. Open the hood ONLY
after steam is no longer escaping from the engine.
4. Check whether coolant or steam is escaping from under the hood or
from the engine compartment.
•If steam is coming from the engine compartment:do not go near
the front of the vehicle. Stop the engine, then turn the ignition switch
to the ON position without starting the engine. The radiator cooling
fans will start to cool the engine.
•If neither coolant nor steam is escaping:open the hood and idle
the engine until it cools. If this does not lower the temperature, stop
the engine and let it cool.
5. Check the coolant level. If it is low, look for leaks in the radiator
hoses and connections, heater hoses and connections, radiator and
water pump.
2008 B-Series(mbs)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
188