Page 454 of 578

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition. The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
450
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Use a nylon strap to attach your
vehicle to the recovery vehicle, and
caref ully take out the slack in the
strap. Once the strap is tight, the
recovery vehicle should apply f orce.
Remember that the recovery vehicle
needs good traction to avoid
becoming stuck, too.
You should never use a jack to try to
get unstuck. Your vehicle could
easily slip of f the jack and hurt you
or someone else.You may be able to safely tow a
lightweight trailer (such as a
motorcycle or small tent trailer) of f -
road if you f ollow these guidelines.
Do not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
or a tongue weight of 100 lbs (45
kg).
Stay on smooth, level dirt roads,
and avoid driving in hilly terrain.
Allow extra room f or starting,
stopping, and turning.
Slow down if you encounter bumps
or other obstacles.
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Towing a Trailer Off-Road
456
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Page 461 of 578

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
models), and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .458
....................
Maintenance Minder . 459
..............................
Fluid Locations .474
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 475
........................
Adding Engine Oil .476
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .477
..............................
Engine Coolant .479
....................
Windshield Washers .481
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 482
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 484
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid . 484
....................................
Brake Fluid .485
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 486
....................................
Timing Belt .486
.............................................
Lights .487
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 494
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 494
.....................................
Floor Mats .495
.................................
Wiper Blades .496
...............................................
Tires .500
...................
Checking the Battery . 508
.............................
Vehicle Storage .510
469
Maintenance
Maint enance
457
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µµ
µ
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page . Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
501 485
487
Maintenance Minder
472
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CONT INUED
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.Open the hood.
If you need to change the
headlight bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the f ront end of the air
intake duct by pulling it out.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied technician.
The high beam headlight bulb, the
low beam headlight bulb, and
daytime running light bulb are
replaced the same way.
1.
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight/Daytime
Running L ight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
487
CONNECTOR BULBHalogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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Open the hood.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it
about one-quarter turn
counterclockwise. Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Lights
Replacing Front Turn Signal/
Parking and Side Marker L ight
Bulbs
488
SOCKET
BULB
CONNECTOR
BULB
CONNECTOR BULB
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/PARKING LIGHT
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Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.Your vehicle uses halogen light
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Place a cloth on the edge of the
cover. Remove the covers by
caref ully prying on the edge with a
small f lat-tipped screwdriver.
1.
4.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Except LX models
Replacing a Front Fog L ight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
489
BULB
SOCKET
SIDE MARKER LIGHT
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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Remove the bulb f rom the f og
light assembly by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise. Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down. Remove the f ront f og light
assembly f rom the bumper.Open the tailgate.
Remove the two mounting bolts
with an 8 mm wrench.
Remove the assembly f rom the
mounting holes by pulling it out. Place a cloth on the inner edge of
the assembly. Loosen the
assembly by caref ully prying on
thetopandsideedgeswithasmall
f lat-tipped screwdriver. Use your
fingers to further pull it loose.
1.
3.
3.
4. 2.
2.
4.
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Rear Pillar)
490
CONNECTOR
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