Audio System(s)
Determine which radio the vehicle
has and read the following pages to
become familiar with its features.
{CAUTION
Taking your eyes off the road
for extended periods could cause
a crash resulting in injury or
death to you or others. Do not
give extended attention to
entertainment tasks while driving.
This system provides access to
many audio and non audio listings.
To minimize taking your eyes off
the road while driving, do the
following while the vehicle is parked:
Become familiar with the
operation and controls of
the audio system.
Set up the tone, speaker
adjustments, and preset radio
stations.For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 4-3.
Notice:Contact your
dealer/retailer before adding any
equipment.
Adding audio or communication
equipment could interfere
with the operation of the vehicle’s
engine, radio, or other systems,
and could damage them.
Follow federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone
equipment.
Notice:The chime signals
related to safety belts, parking
brake, and other functions of your
vehicle operate through the
radio/entertainment system. If
that equipment is replaced
or additional equipment is added
to your vehicle, the chimes
may not work. Make sure that
replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with
your vehicle before installing it.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.The vehicle has Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the
audio system can be played even
after the ignition is turned off.
SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 2-15for more
information.
Setting the Clock
Radio with Single CD (MP3)
Player
To set the time and date:
1. Turn the ignition key to
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN.
Press
Oto turn the radio on.
2. Press
Hand the HR, MIN, MM,
DD, YYYY (hour, minute, month,
day, and year) displays.
3. Press the softkey located below
any one of the tabs that you
want to change.
3-56 Instrument Panel
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Driver Behavior
The single most important thing is
this: everyone in the vehicle,
including the driver, should buckle
up. SeeSafety Belts: They Are
for Everyone on page 1-10. In fact,
most serious injuries and fatalities
to unbelted occupants can be
reduced or prevented by the use of
safety belts. In a rollover crash,
an unbelted person is signi cantly
more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt. In addition,
avoiding excessive speed, sudden
or abrupt turns, and drunken or
aggressive driving can help make
trips safer and avoid the possibility
of a crash, especially a rollover
crash. This section provides many
useful tips to help you drive
more safely.
Driving Environment
You can also help avoid a rollover
or other type of crash by being
prepared for driving in inclement
weather, at night, or during
other times where visibility or
traction may be limited, such as on
curves, slippery roads, or hilly
terrain. Unfamiliar surroundings can
also have hidden hazards.
To help you learn more about driving
in different conditions, this section
contains information about city,
freeway, and off-road driving, as well
as other hints for driving in various
weather conditions.
Vehicle Design
According to the U.S. Department
of Transportation, utility vehicles
have a signi cantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.Utility vehicles do have higher
ground clearance and a narrower
track or shorter wheelbase than
passenger cars, to make them more
capable for off-road driving.
Speci c design characteristics like
these give the driver a better view of
the road, but also give utility
vehicles a higher center of gravity
than other types of vehicles.
This means that you should not
expect a utility vehicle to handle the
same way a vehicle with a lower
center of gravity, like a car, would in
similar situations.
But driver behavior factors are far
more often the cause of a utility
vehicle rollover than are
environmental or vehicle factors.
Safe driver behavior and
understanding the environment in
which you will be driving can help
avoid a rollover crash in any type of
vehicle, including utility vehicles.
4-2 Driving Your Vehicle
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Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Keep vehicle tires properly
in ated.
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
Replace the vehicle’s tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire’s sidewall
near the size.
Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The
rst step in driving defensively is to
wear your safety belt — See
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
on page 1-10.
{CAUTION
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques could
save your life.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-3
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Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking. For
example, you come over a hill and
nd a truck stopped in your lane, or a
car suddenly pulls out from nowhere,
or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of
you. These problems can be avoided
by braking — if you can stop in time.
But sometimes you cannot stop in
time because there is no room.
That is the time for evasive
action — steering around the
problem.
The vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First apply
the brakes. SeeBraking on
page 4-5. It is better to remove
as much speed as possible from acollision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just
as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear
safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only
slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy.
4-10 Driving Your Vehicle
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Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet.
Turn the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you:
Start the engine
Shift into a gear
Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-3for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid, engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good
idea to inspect these before and
during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-23.
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