WARNING:Any alteration/modification to the front passenger
seat may affect the performance of the front passenger sensing
system.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the status of the system. Refer toAirbag readinesssection in
theInstrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the airbag is
not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not
function properly in the event of a collision.
Seat-mounted side airbag system
WARNING:Do not place objects or mount equipment on or
near the airbag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front
seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a
deploying airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the
risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.
WARNING:Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of
accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side
airbags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING:Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
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The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral
deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an electrical circuit
that initiates airbag inflation.
The fact that the airbags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side airbags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
WARNING:Several airbag system components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.
WARNING:If the side
airbag has deployed,the
airbag will not function again.
The side airbag system
(including the seat) must be
inspected and serviced by an
authorized dealer.If the airbag
is not replaced, the unrepaired
area will increase the risk of injury
in a collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAirbag readiness
section in theInstrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
side airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front airbag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event of a collision.
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The Safety Canopyis mounted to roof side-rail sheet metal, behind the
headliner, above the first and second row seats. The Safety Canopyis
designed to inflate between the side window area and occupants to
further enhance protection provided in side impact collisions and rollover
events.
The fact that the Safety Canopydid not activate in a collision does not
mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the
forces were not of the type sufficient to cause activation. The Safety
Canopyis designed to inflate in certain side impact collisions or rollover
events, not in rear impact, frontal or near-frontal collisions, unless the
collision causes sufficient lateral deceleration or rollover likelihood.
WARNING:Several Safety
Canopysystem
components get hot after inflation.
Do not touch them after inflation.
WARNING:If the Safety Canopysystem has deployed, the
Safety Canopywill not function again unless replaced. The
Safety Canopysystem (including the A, B, C, and D pillar trim and
headliner) must be inspected and serviced by an authorized dealer. If
the Safety Canopyis not replaced, it will not function again, which
will increase the risk of injury in a future collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer to theAirbag readiness
section in theInstrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
side airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front airbag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
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•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer
into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the
trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•causing internal damage to the components.
•affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
An example of “recreational towing” is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
Your vehicle may beflat-towed(all wheels on the ground) by shifting
the transmission into Neutral. This is permitted for Front Wheel Drive
(FWD) or Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles. Your vehicle may be towed
up to a speed of 75 mph (120 km/h) but you should always obey local
speed limits.
Note: The Hybrid brake system is capable of providing full brake assist
with the ignition off. This may cause the vehicle’s 12-volt battery to
become discharged when a portable braking system is used to activate
the vehicle’s brakes.
You also have the option of trailering the vehicle with its front wheels on
a dolly (FWD only), or trailering with all four wheels off the ground.
For other towing requirements, refer toWrecker towingin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. Off— locks the gearshift lever
and allows key removal.
2. Accessory— allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the vehicle is not
running.
3. On— all electrical circuits
operational and warning lights will
illuminate. This is the position the
key is in when you’re driving.
4. Start— starts the engine, vehicle and electrical power systems.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the electronically-controlled
Continuously Variable Transaxle (eCVT). For more information on
starting the vehicle, refer toStarting the vehiclein this chapter.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
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Note:After starting the vehicle, the engine may stop running to
conserve fuel after it is warmed-up and the high voltage battery is
sufficiently charged.
Note:If the vehicle does not start, put the gearshift lever into P (Park),
turn the ignition off, then attempt to start the vehicle again. If the
vehicle still does not start, it may require refueling, jump starting,
resetting of the fuel pump/high voltage shut-off switches or service. For
information on jump starting the vehicle and resetting the fuel
pump/high voltage shut-off switches, refer to theJump starting your
vehiclesection and theFuel pump/High voltage shut-off switches
section found in theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
ENGINE BLOCK/HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY HEATER
(IF EQUIPPED)
An engine block/high voltage battery heater warms the engine coolant
and high voltage battery cells which aids in starting and allows the
heater/defroster system to respond quickly. If your vehicle is equipped
with this system, your equipment includes a heater element which is
installed in your engine block and a wire harness which allows the user
to connect the system to a grounded 120 volt a/c electrical source. The
block heater system is most effective when outdoor temperatures reach
below 0°F (-18°C).
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical harm.
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Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately by an authorized dealer.
Regenerative Braking System (RBS)
Your vehicle uses a feature known as regenerative braking. This is used
to simulate the engine braking of an internal combustion engine and
assist the standard brake system while recovering some of the energy of
motion and storing it in the battery to improve fuel economy. The
standard brake system is designed to fully stop the car if regenerative
braking is not available. During regenerative braking, the motor is spun
as a generator to create electrical current. This recharges the high
voltage battery and slows the vehicle. In effect, once the accelerator
pedal is released, the motor changes from an energy user to an energy
producer.
When the accelerator pedal is released or the brake pedal is applied, the
brake controller automatically detects the amount of deceleration
requested and optimizes how much of the deceleration will be produced
by regenerative braking. The remaining portion is generated by standard
friction braking. When the battery is almost fully charged, the amount of
regenerative braking is limited to avoid overcharging, and the requested
deceleration is produced by standard friction braking alone.
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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Regenerative braking does not take the place of the standard friction
brakes; it only assists them. Regenerative braking has also been designed
to interact with the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Regenerative braking
is disabled when the ABS is activated or the battery is fully charged.
Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned on) until the
parking brake is released.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
BRAKE RELEASE P
P!
BRAKE
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