Page 458 of 578

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comfort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in D position will help you
have a smoother start on snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not ‘‘pump’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember A ccelerating and Braking
A voiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
454
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Page 459 of 578

If you get stuck, engage the VTM-4
Lock (see page ). Caref ully try to
go in the direction (f orward or
reverse) that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires at high
speeds. It will not help you get out
and may cause damage to the
transmission or VTM-4 system.
If you are still unable to f ree yourself ,
your vehicle is equipped with f ront
and rear tow hooks designed f or this
purpose.
Bef ore driving through water, stop,
get out if necessary, and make sure
that:
If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may
be required. This service is not
covered by your warranties. After driving through water, test
your brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘pump’’ them while driving slowly
until they operate normally. If you decide it is saf e to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed and engage the VTM-4 Lock.
Proceed without shif ting or changing
speeds, and do not stop the vehicle
or shut of f the engine.The banks and surf ace under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
The water is not f lowing too f ast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushingwatercanwashthe
ground f rom under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over. The banks are sloped so you can
drive out. The water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components. 422
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
If You Get Stuck
Crossing a Stream
Driving
455
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Page 476 of 578
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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Page 477 of 578

ÌÌ
µµ
Ì
Maintenance Minder
473
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
Symbol
Symbol
A B 1
2
3
4
5
61
1
If the message, ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after
the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy. 471
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every
60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of
mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
:
1:
NOTE :Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
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Page 566 of 578

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .68, 525
............................
Jump Starting .521
..............................
Maintenance .508 ............................
Specif ications .543
..............................
Bef ore Driving .397
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,20
.........................
Beverage Holders .179
.......
Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink. 360
..................................
Booster Seats .56
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 433
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 398
............
Bulb Replacement . 490,492
...........................................
Fluid .485
.......................................
Parking .167
.................
System Indicator . 69,527
........................
Wear Indicators .433
.............................
Braking System .432
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 398
Brightness Control, ...............................
Instruments .129
................................................
AAC .298
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 406
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .....................................
Position) .135
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 184
...........................
AC Power Outlet .185
................
Active Head Restraints . 156
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 477
...........................
Advanced Airbags .29
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 24
..........
Airbag System Components . 24
......
Air Conditioning System . 190,197
.............
Rear A/C Control . 195,202
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .204
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .500
......................................
Antif reeze .479
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .70, 434
...................................
Operation .433
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 311
Anti-thef t Steering Column ............................................
Lock .135
........
Audio System . 206,208,224,250 Auto Control Mode, Starting
........................................
Engine .415
............................
Auto Door Lock .114
...
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking . 137
.........................
Auto Door Unlock .115
..........
Automatic Climate Control . 197
.......................
Automatic Lighting .125
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 22
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 348
..............
Automatic Transmission . 417
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .542
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 482
.......................................
Shif ting .417
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .417
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 418
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 420
......................
Auxiliary Input Jack .308
Index
A
B
INDEX
I
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