Driving your vehicle85E030205AHM✽
✽
NOTICEIf you leave the ENGINE START/ STOP
button in the ACC or ON position for a
long time, the battery will discharge.
WARNING
Never press the ENGINE
START/STOP button while the
vehicle is in motion. This would
result in loss of directional con-
trol and braking function, which
could cause an accident.
The anti-theft steering column lock is not a substitute for the
parking brake. Before leaving the
driver's seat, always make sure
the shift lever is engaged in P
(Park), set the parking brake fully
and shut the engine off.
Unexpected and sudden vehicle
movement may occur if these
precautions are not taken.
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(Continued)
Never reach for the ENGINESTART/STOP button or any other
controls through the steering
wheel while the vehicle is in
motion. The presence of your
hand or arm in the area could
cause loss of vehicle control, an
accident and serious bodily
injury or death.
Do not place any movable objects around the driver's seat as they
may move while driving, interfere
with the driver and lead to an
accident.
513
Driving your vehicle
For smooth operation, depress the brakepedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to aforward or reverse gear.
E060101AHMTransmission rangesThe indicator in the instrument cluster
displays the shift lever position when the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into P (Park). This position locks
the transmission and prevents the drive
wheels from rotating.
WARNING
- Automatic transmission
Always check the surrounding
areas near your vehicle for peo-
ple, especially children, before
shifting the shift lever into D
(Drive) or R (Reverse).
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position; then
set the parking brake fully and
shut the engine off. Unexpected
and sudden vehicle movement
can occur if these precautions
are not followed in the order iden-
tified.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to your trans- mission, do not accelerate theengine in R (Reverse) or any for-ward gear position with thebrakes on.
When stopped on an incline, do not hold the vehicle with theengine power. Use the servicebrake or the parking brake.
Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R(Reverse) when the engine is above idle speed.
WARNING
Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion will cause the
drive wheels to lock which will
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.
Always make sure the shift lever
is latched in the P (Park) position
and set the parking brake fully.
Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
Driving your vehicle14
5R (Reverse)
Use this position to drive the vehicle
backward. N (Neutral)
The wheels and transmission are not
engaged. The vehicle will roll freely even
on the slightest incline unless the parking
brake or service brakes are applied.
D (Drive)
This is the normal forward driving posi-
tion. The transmission will automatically
shift through a 5 (or 6)-gear sequence,
providing the best fuel economy and
power.
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing grades, depress the
accelerator fully, at which time the trans-
mission will automatically downshift to
the next lower gear.
✽ ✽
NOTICEAlways come to a complete stop before
shifting into D (Driving).
Sports mode
Whether the vehicle is stopped or in
motion, sports mode is selected by push-
ing the shift lever from the D (Drive) posi-
tion into the manual gate. To return to the
D (Drive) range operation, push the shift
lever back into the main gate.
In sports mode, moving the shift lever
backwards and forwards will allow you to
make gearshifts rapidly. In contrast to a
manual transmission, the sports mode
allows gearshifts with the accelerator
pedal depressed.
Up (+) : Push the lever forward once to
shift up one gear.
Down (-) : Pull the lever backwards once to shift down one gear.
CAUTION
The transmission may be damagedif you shift into P (Park) while thevehicle is in motion.
CAUTION
Always come to a complete stopbefore shifting into or out of R (Reverse); you may damage thetransmission if you shift into R(Reverse) while the vehicle is in motion, except when “Rocking thevehicle” explained in this section.
OHM058005L
+ (UP)
- (DOWN)
Sports
mode
Driving your vehicle16
5E060103AHMIgnition key interlock system The ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
position. If the shift lever is in any other
position, the key cannot be removed.
E060200AHMGood driving practices Never move the gear shift lever from P
(Park) or N (Neutral) to any other posi-
tion with the accelerator pedal
depressed.
Never move the gear shift lever into P (Park) when the vehicle is in motion.
Be sure the vehicle is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into
R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
Never take the vehicle out of gear and coast down a hill. This may be
extremely hazardous. Always leave the
car in gear when moving.
Do not "ride" the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunc-
tion. Instead, when you are driving
down a long hill, slow down and shift to
a lower gear. When you do this, engine
braking will help slow down the car.
Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. Otherwise, the lower gear may
not be engaged. Always use the parking brake. Do not
depend on placing the transmission in
P (Park) to keep the vehicle from mov-
ing.
Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially
careful when braking, accelerating or
shifting gears. On a slippery surface,
an abrupt change in vehicle speed can
cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle to go out of control.
Optimum vehicle performance and economy is obtained by smoothly
depressing and releasing the accelera-
tor pedal.
517
Driving your vehicle
E060203AHMMoving up a steep grade from a stand-ing startTo move up a steep grade from a stand-
ing start, depress the brake pedal, shift
the shift lever to D (Drive). Select the
appropriate gear depending on load
weight and steepness of the grade, and
release the parking brake. Depress the
accelerator gradually while releasing the
service brakes.
WARNING
Always buckle-up! In a collision, an unbelted occupant is signifi-
cantly more likely to be seriously
injured or killed than a properly
belted occupant.
Avoid high speeds when corner- ing or turning.
Do not make quick steering wheel movements, such as sharp
lane changes or fast, sharp turns.
The risk of rollover is greatly increased if you lose control of
your vehicle at highway speeds.
Loss of control often occurs if two or more wheels drop off the
roadway and the driver over-
steers to reenter the roadway.
In the event your vehicle leaves the roadway, do not steer sharply.
Instead, slow down before pulling
back into the travel lanes.
Never exceed posted speed lim- its.
WARNING
If your vehicle becomes stuck in
snow, mud, sand, etc., then you
may attempt to rock the vehicle free
by moving it forward and backward.
Do not attempt this procedure if
people or objects are anywhere
near the vehicle. During the rocking
operation the vehicle may suddenly
move forward of backward as it
becomes unstuck, causing injury
or damage to nearby people or
objects.
Driving your vehicle18
5E170000AHMEngine power can be delivered to all front
and rear wheels for maximum traction.
4WD is useful when extra traction is
required on road, such as, when driving
on slippery, muddy, wet, or snow-covered
roads. These vehicles are not designed
for challenging off-road use. Occasional
off-road use such as established
unpaved roads and trails are OK. It is
always important when traveling off-high-
way that the driver carefully reduces the
speed to a level that does not exceed the
safe operating speed for those condi-
tions. In general, off-road conditions pro-
vide less traction and braking effective-
ness than normal road conditions. The
driver must be especially alert to avoid
driving on slopes which tilt the vehicle to
either side.
These factors must be carefully consid-
ered when driving off-road. Keeping the
vehicle in contact with the driving surface
and under control in these conditions is
always the driver's responsibility for the
safety of him/herself and his or her pas-
sengers.
E170201AHMTight corner brake effectTight corner brake effect is a unique
characteristic of four-wheel drive vehicles
caused by the difference in tire rotation of
the four wheels and the zero-degree
alignment of the front wheels and sus-
pension.
Sharp turns at low speeds should be car-
ried out with caution.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING
- Off road driving
This vehicle is designed primarily
for on road use although it can
operate effectively off road.
However, it was not designed to
drive in challenging off-road condi-
tions. Driving in conditions that
exceed the vehicle's intended
design or the driver's experience
level may result in severe injury or
death.
CAUTION -
4WD
When turning sharply on a paved
road at low speed while in four-wheel drive (4L mode for full-time 4WD operation or 4L/4H mode forpart-time 4WD operation), steeringcontrol will be difficult.
CAUTION
Do not select four wheel drive on flat and normal roads.
Four-wheel driving on flat roads for a long period causes poor fueleconomy and noise and it also causes tires to wear faster.
Four-wheel driving on flat and normal roads can result in asevere binding and chatteringcondition when turning the steer- ing wheel.
Four-wheel driving on flat roads for a long period can also causethe differential oil temperature to increase, resulting in damage toparts in the power train.
519
Driving your vehicle
Transfer mode Shift knob Indicator lightDescription
This mode is used when driving on normal roads and highway.
This mode is used when driving on slippery roads such as
snowy and rainy roads at normal speed.
Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
This mode is used when increased traction is required, such as
climbing or descending hills, driving off-roads, and towing a
vehicle.
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
4 4 W
W D
D
H
H I
I
4WD HI
4WD
LOW 4
4
W
W D
D
L
L O
O W
W
2H
(Rear-wheel drive)
4H
(High-speed
4-wheel drive)
4L
(Low-speed
4-wheel drive) (not illuminated)
✽
✽
NOTICE4WD transfer has a time delay for a few seconds until the actual shift is made after turning the transfer shift knob.
When the 4WD transfer mode is shifted, it may cause mechanical noise. It is not a mechanical f\
ailure but a normal condition.E170800AHM-EUPart-Time 4WD (if equipped)
CAUTION
When you stop the vehicle to transfer the shift knob, wait until the corresponding indicator light turns on or off to
depart. If the vehicle moves before the transfer is completed, the vehicle may be damaged.
(illuminated)
(illuminated)
521
Driving your vehicle
Transfer mode Shift knob Indicator lightDescription
This mode is used when driving on normal roads and highway.
The engine power is distributed to all four wheels automatical-
ly without the driver's intervention in accordance with the road
conditions and driving conditions.
This mode is used when driving on slippery roads, such as
snowy and rainy roads at normal speed.
Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
This mode is used when increased traction is required, such as
climbing or descending hills, driving off-roads, and towing a
vehicle.
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
4 4 W
W D
D
H
H I
I
4WD HI
4WD
LOW 4
4
W
W D
D
L
L O
O W
W
AUTO
(Automatic
4-wheel drive)
4H
(High-speed
4-wheel drive)
4L
(Low-speed
4-wheel drive) (not illuminated)
✽
✽
NOTICE4WD transfer has a time delay for a few seconds until the actual shift is made after turning the transfer shift knob.
When the 4WD transfer mode is shifted, it may cause mechanical noise. It is not a mechanical f\
ailure but a normal condition.E170900AHM-EUFull-Time 4WD Operation (if equipped)
CAUTION
When you stop the vehicle to transfer the shift knob, wait until the corresponding indicator light turns on or off to
depart. If the vehicle moves before the transfer is completed, the vehicle may be damaged.
(illuminated)
(illuminated)