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 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.
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)
Driving your vehicle20
5E170802AHM-EUPart-time 4WD knob operation2H ↔
↔
4H
Turn the transfer knob from the 2H mode
to 4H mode or 4H mode to 2H mode at
the speed below 50 mph (80 km/h). It is
not necessary to put the shift lever into
the N (Neutral) position. Perform this
operation when driving straight. There
will be a few seconds of time delay
before shifting into the desired mode.
If the weather is extremely cold (-15°C/
5°F) and the engine is not heated, trans-
fer from 2H mode to 4H mode when the
vehicle is stopped or at low speed. 4H
↔ ↔
4L
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Put the shift lever into the N (Neutral) position.
3. Turn the transfer knob to the 4H or 4L position.
4. Before shifting to other ranges from the N (Neutral) position, wait for the
corresponding indicator light to turn on
or off in the cluster.
✽ ✽NOTICEIf the mode is not shifted like the previ-
ous instructions, it will not transfer into
the selected mode and the correspon-
ding indicator light will continuously
blink.
OHM058010N
OHM058011
CAUTION -
4WD
Always check the 4WD shift knob
and cluster to see if the systemhas been activated unintentional-ly.
Do not speed over 80 km/h (50 mph) in the 4H mode and 40 km/h(25 mph) in the 4L mode.
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)
Driving your vehicle22
5E170902AHM-EUFull-time 4WD knob operationAUTO ↔
↔
4H
Turn the transfer knob from the AUTO
mode to 4H mode or 4H mode to AUTO
mode at the speed below 80 km/h (50
mph). It is not necessary to put the shift
lever into the N (Neutral) position.
Perform this operation when driving
straight. There will be a few seconds of
time delay before shifting into the desired
mode.
If the weather is extremely cold (-15°C/
5°F) and the engine is not heated, trans-
fer from AUTO mode to 4H mode when
the vehicle is stopped or at low speed. 4H
↔ ↔
4L
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Put the shift lever into the N (Neutral) position.
3. Turn the transfer knob to the 4H or 4L position.
4. Before shifting to other ranges from the N (Neutral) position, wait for the
corresponding indicator light to turn on
or off in the cluster.
✽ ✽NOTICEIf the mode is not shifted like the previ-
ous instructions, it will not transfer into
the selected mode and the correspon-
ding indicator light will continuously
blink.
OHM058012N
OHM058013
CAUTION -
Mud or snow
Always check the 4WD shift knob
and cluster to see if the systemhas been activated unintentional-ly.
Do not speed over 80 km/h (50 mph) in the 4H mode and 40 km/h(25 mph) in the 4L mode.
525
Driving your vehicle
✽
✽NOTICE• Do not drive in water if the level is
higher than the bottom of the vehicle.
• Check your brake condition once you are out of mud or water. Press the
brake pedal several times as you move
slowly until you feel normal braking
forces return.
• Shorten your scheduled maintenance interval if you drive in off-road condi-
tions such as sand, mud or water.
Always wash your vehicle thoroughly
after off road use, especially cleaning
the bottom of the vehicle.
• Since the driving torque is always applied to the 4 wheels the perform-
ance of the 4WD vehicle is greatly
affected by the condition of the tires.
Be sure to equip the vehicle with four
tires of the same size and type.
• A full time four wheel drive vehicle cannot be towed by an ordinary tow
truck. Make sure that the vehicle is
placed on a flat bed truck for moving.
E170800AHMReducing the risk of a rolloverThis multi-purpose passenger vehicle is
defined as a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
SUV’s have higher ground clearance and
a narrower track to make them capable
of performing in a wide variety of off-road
applications. Specific design characteris-
tics give them a higher center of gravity
than ordinary vehicles. An advantage of
the higher ground clearance is a better
view of the road, which allows you to
anticipate problems. They are not
designed for cornering at the same
speeds as conventional passenger vehi-
cles, any more than low-slung sports
vehicles are designed to perform satis-
factorily in off-road conditions. Due to this
risk, driver and passengers are strongly
recommended to buckle their seat belts.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. There are steps that a driver
can make to reduce the risk of a rollover.
If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers, do not load your roof
rack with heavy cargo, and never modify
your vehicle in any way.
CAUTION -
Mud or snow
If one of the front or rear wheels
begins to spin in mud, snow, etc. the vehicle can sometimes be driv-en out by depressing the accelera- tor pedal further; however avoidrunning the engine continuously athigh rpm because doing so could damage the 4WD system.