Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rain begins
to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid driving on wet
ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated with salt
or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.If the vehicle has theTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 5-7, it improves the ability to accelerate on
slippery roads, but slow down and adjust your driving to
the road conditions. When driving through deep snow,
turn off the traction control system to help maintain
vehicle motion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 5-4improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads,
but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry
pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
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To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of the way to save heat.
Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then when
you run the engine, push the accelerator pedal slightly so
the engine runs faster than the idle speed. This keeps the
battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as little as possible to
save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 5-20.If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{WARNING:
If the vehicle’s tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 6-64.
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Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 5-25.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Vehicle Certification label.
{WARNING:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of the vehicle.
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If things like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else are put inside the vehicle, they will
go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{WARNING:
Things you put inside the vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
•Put things in the cargo area of the
vehicle. In the cargo area, put them as
far forward as you can. Try to spread the
weight evenly.
•Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some
of them are above the tops of the seats.
•Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
•When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
•Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer/
retailer or a professional towing service if the disabled
vehicle must be towed. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 8-7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes, such as behind a motorhome,
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
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Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
•What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
•How far will the vehicle be towed? Some vehicles
have restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
•Does the vehicle have the proper towing
equipment? See your dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
•Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 5-15.
Dinghy Towing
When dinghy towing, the vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each RV fuel stop for about
five minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components.
To dinghy tow the vehicle from the front with all four
wheels on the ground:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it to the
towing vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF.
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Dolly Towing
Tow the vehicle with the two rear wheels on the ground
and the front wheels on a dolly:
To tow the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
a dolly:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the gear shift lever in P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Remove the key from the ignition.6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Notice:Towing the vehicle from the rear could
damage it. Also, repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Never have the vehicle towed
from the rear.
Towing a Trailer
The vehicle is neither designed nor intended to tow a
trailer.
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Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-4
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements.............................................6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of the Vehicle.............................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-6
Gasoline Octane............................................6-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-7
California Fuel...............................................6-7
Additives.......................................................6-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-8
Filling the Tank..............................................6-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-12
Hood Release..............................................6-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-14
Engine Oil...................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................6-22
Cooling System............................................6-22
Engine Coolant.............................................6-23
Engine Overheating.......................................6-28Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-30
Brakes........................................................6-31
Battery........................................................6-34
Jump Starting...............................................6-35
Headlamp Aiming...........................................6-39
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-39
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-39
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps...................6-40
License Plate Lamp.....................................
.6-41
Replacement Bulbs.......................................6-42
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-42
Tires..............................................................6-43
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-44
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................6-46
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................6-49
High-Speed Operation...................................6-50
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-51
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................6-52
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-55
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-57
Buying New Tires.........................................6-58
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-59
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-60
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-61
Wheel Replacement......................................6-62
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
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Tire Chains..................................................6-64
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................6-65
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit....................6-66
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit Storage.........6-73
Appearance Care............................................6-73
Interior Cleaning...........................................6-73
Fabric/Carpet...............................................6-75
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces........................................6-76
Care of Safety Belts......................................6-76
Weatherstrips...............................................6-76
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-77
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................6-77
Finish Care..................................................6-78
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................6-78
Aluminum Wheels.........................................6-79
Tires...........................................................6-79Sheet Metal Damage.....................................6-80
Finish Damage.............................................6-80
Underbody Maintenance................................6-80
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................6-80
Vehicle Identi cation......................................6-81
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).................6-81
Service Parts Identification Label.....................6-81
Electrical System............................................6-82
Intermediate Voltage Devices and Wiring..........6-82
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................6-82
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................6-82
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......6-83
Fuses.........................................................6-83
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................6-83
Engine Compartment Fuse Block....................6-86
Rear Compartment Fuse Block.......................6-89
Capacities and Speci cations..........................6-92
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
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