Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Daily Inspection Checklist
Before Driving
60A187S
1) Make sure that windows, mirrors, lights, and reflectors are clean and unob
structed.
2) Visually check the tires for the following points:
- the depth of the tread groove
-
abnormal wear, cracks and damage
-loose wheel nuts
- existence of foreign material such as nails, stones, etc.
Refer to "Tires" in "INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE" section for details. 3) Look for fluid and oil leaks.
NOTE:
It is normal for water to drip from the air conditioning system after use.
4) Make sure the hood is fully closed and latched. 5) Check the headlights, turn signal lights, brake lights and horn for proper opera
tion.
6) Adjust the seat and adjustable head
restraint (if equipped).
7) Check the brake pedal and the parking
brake lever. 8) Adjust the mirrors. 9) Make sure that you and all passengers
have properly fastened your seat belts.
10)Make sure that all warning lights come on as the key is turned to the "ON" posi
tion.
11 )Check all gauges.
12)Make sure that the BRAKE SYSTEM
WARNING light turns off when the
parking brake is released.
Once
a week, or each time you fill your fuel tank, perform the following under-hood
checks:
1) Engine oil level 2) Coolant level 3) Brake fluid level 4) Power steering (if equipped) fluid level 5) Windshield washer fluid level 6) Battery solution level 7) Hood latch operation Pull the hood release handle inside the vehicle. Make sure that you cannot
open the hood all the way without releasing the secondary latch. Be sure
to close the hood securely after check-
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
ing for proper latch operation. See the
item "All Latches, Hinges & Locks" of "CHASSIS AND BODY" in the "Periodic Maintenance Schedule" in the "INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE" section for lubrication schedule.
A WARNING
Make sure the hood is fully closed
and latched before driving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving,
obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.
Once a month, or each time you fill your fuel tank, check the tire pressure using a
tire pressure gauge. Also check the tire
pressure of the spare tire.
3-2
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
A WARNING
If
water gets into the brake drums,
brake performance may become poor
and unpredictable.
After driving through water or wash
ing the underside of the vehicle, test
the brakes while driving at a slow speed to see if they have maintained
their normal effectiveness. If the
brakes are less effective than normal, dry them by repeatedly applying the
brakes while driving slowly until the
brakes have regained their normal effectiveness.
Power Assisted Brakes Your vehicle has power assisted brakes. If power assistance is lost due to a stalled engine or other failures, the system is still
fully operational on reserve power and you can bring the vehicle to a complete stop by pressing the brake pedal once and holding it down. The reserve power is partly used
up when you depress the brake pedal and reduces each time the pedal is pressed. Apply smooth and even pressure to the pedal. Do not pump the pedal.
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A WARNING
Even without reserve power in the
brake system, you can still stop the vehicle by pressing the brake pedal harder than normally required. However, the stopping distance may be longer.
Brake Assist System When you slam the brakes on, the brake
assist system judges as an emergency
stop and provides more powerful braking
for a driver who cannot hold down the
brake pedal firmly.
NOTE: If you quickly and forcefully depress the
brakes, you may hear a clicking sound in
the brake pedal. This is normal and indi
cates that the brake assist system is acti
vated properly.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ASS will help you avoid skidding by elec
tronically controlling braking pressure. It
will also help you maintain steering control when braking on slippery surfaces or when
braking hard.
The
ASS works automatically, so you do
not need any special braking technique.
Just push the brake pedal down without
pumping. The ASS will operate whenever it
senses that the wheels are locking up. You may feel the brake pedal pulsate while the ASS is operating.
NOTE: The ABS will not work if vehicle speed is under about 5 - 6 kmlh (3 - 4 mph).
A WARNING
•
On some types of loose surfaces
(such as gravel, snow-covered
roads, etc.) the stopping distance
required for
an ABS-equipped vehicle may be slightly greater than for
a comparable vehicle with a conventional brake system. With a conventional brake system, skid
ding tires are able to "plow" the gravel or snow layer, shortening
the stopping distance, ABS mini
mizes this resistance effect. Allow for extra stopping distance when driving on loose surfaces. • On regular paved roads, some driv
ers may be able to obtain slightly shorter stopping distances with
conventional brake systems than
with
ABS. • In both of the above conditions, ABS wi II still offer the advantage of helping you maintain directional control. However, remember that ABS will not compensate for bad road or weather conditions or poor
driver judgment. Use good judg
ment and do not drive faster than
conditions will
safely allow.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP~ (if equipped)
ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP~ helps to control the vehicle during corner
ing if front wheels or rear wheels skid. It also assists you in maintaining traction while accelerating on loose or slippery road surfaces. It does this by regulating the
engine's output, and by selectively applying the brakes. In addition, ESP® helps to
avoid skidding by controlling braking pres
sure.
A WARNING
The ESP® cannot enhance the vehi
cle's driving stability in all situations and does not control your vehicle's entire braking system. The ESP® cannot prevent accidents, including those resulting from excessive speed
in turns, or hydroplaning. Only a safe
and attentive driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESP®equipped vehicle must never be used
as a substitute for careful driving.
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The ESP® has the following three systems:
Stability Control System The vehicle stability control system helps provide integrated control of systems such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, engine control, etc. This system automatically
controls the brakes and engine to help pre
vent the vehicle from skidding when cor
nering on a slippery road surface or when
turning the steering wheel abruptly.
Traction Control System The traction control system automatically
helps prevent the spinning of wheels when
the vehicle is started or accelerated on slippery road surfaces. The system oper
ates only if it senses that some of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the system
operates the front or rear brakes and
reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
NOTE: You may hear a clicking sound in the
engine compartment for a few seconds when you start the engine or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This means that
the above systems are in the self-check mode. This sound does not indicate a mal
function.
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) ABS will help you avoid skidding by elec
tronically controlling braking pressure. It will also help you maintain steering control when braking on slippery surfaces or when
braking hard. The ABS works automatically, so you do not have to use any special braking technique. Just push the brake pedal down without pumping. The ABS will operate whenever it senses that wheels are locking up. You may feel the brake pedal pulsate while the ABS is operating.
(For more information on ABS, see "Brak
ing" in the "OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE" section.)
NOTE: If the ABS system is activated, you may
hear a clunking noise and/or feel pulsating in the brake pedal. This is normal and indi
cates that the brake fluid pressure is being
controffed properly
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ES~ systems (other than ABS) will be
canceled to provide improved vehicle
traction, and the
~'ESP OFF" indicator
light will come on. When the transfer switch (if equipped) is
turned to the "4L LOCK" position, brake
traction control can be activated. Brake
traction control brakes the spinning
wheel to distribute drive power to the other wheels for increased climbing abil
ity or for better performance on a rolling
hill or a slipe,ery surface .. • If the ESpE> systems operate continuously, such as when driving on slippery roads, the traction control functions of the ES~ systems may be canceled
temporarily to avoid overheating the brake pads, and the "ESP OFF" indicator
light will come on. After a short period of time, the ES~ systems (other than ABS) will turn on automatically and the "ESP OFF" indicator light will go out. • If your vehicle is equipped with a hill
descent control system and a hill hold
control system, these systems will not be
turned off
when the "ESP OFF" switch is pushed to turn off the ES~ systems.
E'::.F' OFF I-Qf - -a.'ND S\l',/IT'_ H V"/I)R~;',. I-6-t ONL ',' IN 4HL
79K084
NOTE: If, you push the "ESP OFF" switch when the transfer switch is in the "4H" position, the ES~ systems will not be turned off, and the message shown in the above illus
tration will appear on the information display. You should turn the transfer switch to the "4H LOCK" position to turn off the ES~ systems. Refer to "Using the Transfer Switch" in this section.
ABS Warning Light I Brake System
Warning Light
See 'Braking" in the "OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE" section.
OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
Hill descent control System
(if equipped)
The hill descent control system is designed
to reduce the driver's workload when going
down steep, rough and/or slippery hills where the vehicle cannot decelerate enough by engine braking alone. The hill descent control system helps to control
vehicle speed by automatically engaging
the vehicle's brakes, as needed, so you can concentrate on steering the vehicle.
A WARNING
Do not rely excessively on the hill
descent control system. The hill
descent control system may not control vehicle speed on a hill under all load or road conditions. Always be prepared to control vehicle speed by applying the brakes. Failure to pay
attention and control vehicle speed
using the brakes when necessary
may
result in loss' of control or an accident.
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