Page 394 of 560

µµµ µ
µ µ
µ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption. In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the multi-
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon. If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
452
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Avoid excessive idling
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Observe the speed limit
Drive moderately 458
Drive Ef f icient ly
Vehicle Maint enance
Bef ore Driving
391
2009 RL
Page 401 of 560

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Do not put any items on top of the
rear shelf . They can block your
view and be thrown around the
vehicle during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page . If you carry any items extending
through the trunk pass-through,
tie down or secure all items that
could be thrown around the
vehicle and hurt someone during a
crash or sudden stop.
If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of
the rack and the items does not
exceed 121 lbs (55 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation
that came with your roof rack. 56
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the T runk or on
a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
398
2009 RL
Page 552 of 560

Î
Î
CONT INUED
........................
Park Gear Position .406
...........................................
Parking .415
...............................
Parking Brake .191
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator .63,508
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .415
.............................
PGM-FI System .533
........................
Power Door Locks .153
...............
Power Socket Locations .197
............................
Power Windows .185
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts .19
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions .20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women .19
........................
Protecting Children .38
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .43
.......
Protecting Larger Children .52
.........
Protecting Small Children .44
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers .51
.............................
Using LATCH .47
...................
Radiator Overheating .503
.............
Radio/CD Sound System .213 ...........................
Readiness Codes .507
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement .474
..........................
Rear View Mirror .161
...............
Rear Window Def ogger .147
.............
Reclining the Seat Backs .156
.......................
Reminder Indicators .62
...........................................
Remote .166
Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter .459
..........................................
Fuses .510
................................
Light Bulbs .468
....................................
Schedule .445
...........................................
Tires .480
.............................
Wiper Blades .478
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .25
...
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant .389
...............................
Restraint, Child .38
..................
Reverse Gear Position .406
............
Reverse Tilt Door Mirror .162
..........................
Rearview Camera .381
......................................
Roof Rack .398
................................
Rotation, Tire .485 ................................
Saf ety Belts .10,21
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting .540
.................................
Saf ety Features .9
.........................................
Airbags .11
.....................................
Seat Belts .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of .57
..............................
Saf ety Messages .iii
.................
Satellite Digital Radio .229
...................................
Seat Belts .10,21
...............
Additional Information .21
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners .23
.....................................
Cleaning .476
.............................
e-pretensioner .24
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .17,22
................................
Maintenance .25
Reminder Indicator and
................................
Beeper .21,62
...................
System Components .21
...............
Use During Pregnancy .19
..................................
Seat Heaters .181
..................
Seat Position Memory .163
Index
INDEXR S
VII
2009 RL