
Automatic Transmission Operation
The vehicle has an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument panel cluster.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
See “Range Selection Mode” later in this section.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially when the vehicle
has a heavy load, you may notice an increase in the
effort to shift out of P (Park). See “Shifting Into P (Park)”
in the Index of vehicle’s owner manual for more
information.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park in the Owner Manual. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-2.
2-6

{CAUTION:
If you have Four-Wheel Drive, the vehicle will
be free to roll — even if the shift lever is in
P (Park) — if the transfer case is in Neutral.
So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear,
Two-Wheel Drive High or Four-Wheel Drive High
or Four-Wheel Drive Low — not in Neutral.
See ‘‘Shifting into Park’’ in the owner manual.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission,
see “If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow” in the Index of the vehicle’s owner manual.N (Neutral):In this position, the engine and
transmission are not connected with the wheels.
To restart the engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
2-7

Audio System(s)
Navigation/Radio System
For vehicles with a navigation radio system, see the
Navigation System manual for more information.
To view the hybrid screen, press the MENU button on
the radio. The hybrid screen displays when entering the
Configuration Menu.The display shows:
•Auto Stop
•Battery Charging
•Engine Idle
•2-Wheel and 4-Wheel Drive Modes for:
- Engine Power
- Battery Power
- Hybrid Power
3-14

Your Driving, the Road, and
the Vehicle
Electric Power Steering
This vehicle has On-Demand Electric-Assist Power
Steering instead of conventional full-time hydraulic
power steering. It uses electricity supplied by the same
battery which is re-charged by the regenerative
braking system.
Because the system is On-Demand Electric-Assist,
energy is used only when the steering wheel is turned,
or when the steering gear is used to help isolate the
forces of rough roads. This system does not use power
steering fluid, making it maintenance-free.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if the disabled vehicle needs to be towed.
Towing a Trailer
For more information, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
owner manual Index.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how
much the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. It can depend on any special equipment on
the vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle
can carry.
4-2

Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specifications in
“Capacities and Specifications” in the owner manual.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied, the disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking. The
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
brake parts. When parts of the braking system are
replaced — for example, when the brake linings wear
down and new ones are installed — be sure to get new
approved replacement parts. If this is not done, the
brakes might not work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for the
vehicle, the balance between the front and rear brakes
can change — for the worse. The braking performance
expected can change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are installed.
5-14

Jump Starting
If the vehicle’s 12-volt battery has run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables
to start your vehicle. Use the following steps to do
it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
•They contain acid that can burn you.
•They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
•They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some or
all of these things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be covered
by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage the vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. It could cause a ground connection
you do not want. You would not be able to start your
vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put the automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission
in N (Neutral) before setting the parking brake.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear, not in N (Neutral).
5-16

How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly
inflated simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Check the tire’s inflation pressure when the tires are cold.
Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage firmly onto the valve to get a
pressure measurement. If the cold tire inflation pressure
matches the recommended pressure on the tire and
loading information label, no further adjustment is
necessary. If the pressure is low, add air until you
reach the recommended amount.
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the
metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Recheck the
tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS). The TPMS is designed to warn the driver
when a low tire pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors
are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the
vehicle’s tires and transmit the tire pressure readings
to a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the
TPMS will illuminate
the low tire pressure
warning symbol located
on the instrument
panel cluster.
At the same time a message to check the pressure in a
specific tire appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light
and the DIC warning message come on at each ignition
cycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can
be viewed by the driver. For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and displays seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-12. Also, see “DIC
Operation and Displays” in the Index of the owner
manual for more information.
5-25

•One or more TPMS sensors are missing or
damaged. The DIC message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off when the TPMS
sensors are installed and the sensor matching
process is performed successfully. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
•Replacement tires or wheels do not match your
vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels.
Tires and wheels other than those recommended
for your vehicle could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See “Buying New Tires” in
the Index of the owner manual.
•Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS
could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or
signal a low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer for
service if the TPMS malfunction light and DIC message
comes on and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code.
Any time you rotate your vehicle’s tires or replace one or
more of the TPMS sensors, the identification codes
will need to be matched to the new tire/wheel position.
The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions
in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger
side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver
side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
The TPMS sensors can also be matched to each
tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire’s
air pressure. If increasing the tire’s air pressure, do
not exceed the maximum inflation pressure indicated on
the tire’s sidewall.
To decrease air-pressure out of a tire you can use the
pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressure
gage, or a key.
5-27