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161
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●
Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (Thi s is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o ne vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration. Vehicles with a manual
transmission, prevent excessive cl utch slippage by keeping engine
rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak-
ing a turn.
● Note that when making a turn, th e trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway . Periodically check the rear to
prepare for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip
the steering wheel, reduce speed immediately but gradually, and
steer straight ahead. Never increase speed. If you make no
extreme correction with the stee ring or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider-
able distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
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162 2-5. Driving information
●In order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do not use the trans-
mission in D (automatic transmission) or 5 (manual transmission).
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temper atures over 85°F [30°C]) when
driving up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition-
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
( P. 332)
● Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P (automatic transmission) or in 1 or R (manual
transmission). Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel bloc ks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into 1 or R (manual transmission) or P (automatic trans-
mission) and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in P (automatic transmission) or the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) depressed, start the
engine. On vehicles with an au tomatic transmission, be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into a forward gear. If reversing, shift into R.
Release the parking brake (also brake pedal on vehicles with
an automatic transmission), and slowly pull or back away from
the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
CAUTION
■
To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or posted towing speed limit, whichever
is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination
increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may cause
loss of control.
● Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
Page 164 of 388
164
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Towing your vehicle with 4 wheels on the groundTo prevent damage to your vehicle, perform the following procedures
before towing.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the engine switch to the ACC position.
Ensure that the audio system and other powered devices have been
turned off.
Release the parking brake.
After towing, leave the engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before
driving the vehicle.
■Necessary equipment and accessories
Specialized equipment and accessories are required for dinghy towing. Con-
tact the service branch of the motor home manufacturer regarding recom-
mended equipment.
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed in a forward direction (with 4
wheels on the ground) behind a motor home.
Dinghy towing does not elimi-
nate the possibility of damage
to your vehicle.
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166 2-5. Driving information
NOTICE
■Dinghy towing direction
■ To prevent the steering from locking
Ensure the engine switch is in the ACC position.
Do not tow the vehicle backwards.
Doing so may cause serious damage.
Page 167 of 388

Interior features3
167
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger... 168
Air conditioning system .... 168
Rear window defogger ..... 175
3-2. Using the audio system .......................... 176
Audio system types .......... 176
Using the radio ................. 179
Using the cassette player ............................. 182
Using the CD player ......... 185
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ..................... 192
Optimal use of the audio system ........................... 200
Using the AUX adapter .... 203
3-3. Using the interior lights ............................. 204
Interior lights list ............... 204
• Interior light ..................... 205
• Personal lights ................ 205 3-4. Using the storage
features ......................... 206
List of storage features .... 206
• Glove boxes ................... 206
• Cup holders ................... 208
• Bottle holders ................. 209
• Auxiliary boxes ............... 211
3-5. Other interior features ... 213 Sun visors ........................ 213
Vanity mirrors ................... 214
Clock ................................ 215
Power outlet ..................... 217
Floor mat .......................... 218
Luggage compartment features .......................... 219
Page 168 of 388
168
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Air conditioning system
Adjusting the settings■ Adjusting the temperature setting
Turn the temperature control dial clockwise (warm) or counter-
clockwise (cool).
If is not pressed, the system will blow ambient temperature air or
heated air.
For quick cooling, turn the temperature control dial to the “
MAX A/C”
position and set the air intake selection dial to (recirculated air)
mode.
Fan speed control dial
Air outlet selection dialAir conditioning
ON/OFF switch
Temperature control dial
Air intake selection dial