9-22 Driving and Operating
If the Vehicle is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
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, see
Tire
Chains on page 10‑64.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any stability
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transmission,
between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), 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 the vehicle does
need to be towed out, see Towing
the Vehicle on page 10‑78.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the 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 the vehicle show
how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
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9-28 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply the
regular brake pedal.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in,
and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer/retailer. LOCK/OFF:
This position locks the
ignition. It also locks the steering
wheel and the transmission. The
key can only be removed in LOCK/
OFF. The shift lever must be in
P (Park) to turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn't work, the vehicle needs
service.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY): This is
the position in which you can
operate the electrical accessories or
items plugged into the accessory
power outlets.
Use this position if the vehicle must
be pushed or towed. ON/RUN:
This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning
and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. The transmission
is also unlocked in this position.
If you leave the key in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN positions
with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to
start the vehicle if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
START: This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened, the ignition is
in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
and the key is in the ignition.
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9-38 Driving and Operating
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
With this feature, engine power is
always sent to all four wheels. It is
fully automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
When using a compact spare tire on
an AWD vehicle, the system
automatically detects the compact
spare and disables AWD. To restore
AWD operation and prevent
excessive wear on system, replace
the compact spare with a full-size
tire as soon as possible. See
Compact Spare Tire
on page 10‑73for more information.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑19. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
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Driving and Operating 9-39
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. The ABS pump or motor
might be heard operating, and the
brake pedal might be felt to pulsate,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located in
the center console between the
front seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down and pull up on the
parking brake lever. If the ignition is
in ON/RUN, the brake system
warning light will come on.To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold the
release button in as you move the
brake lever all the way down.
Release the parking brake before
driving the vehicle.
Notice:
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
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9-40 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system
operates only if it senses that any of
the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
limit wheel spin and also reduces
engine power. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal.This light will flash when TCS is
limiting wheel spin.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow,
and you want to“rock”the vehicle to
attempt to free it. See If the Vehicle
is Stuck
on page 9‑22for more
information.
The TCS/StabiliTrak button is
located on the instrument panel.
Press and release this button to turn
off TCS. The TCS warning light will
be displayed on the instrument
panel cluster. The traction control
system can be turned back on by
pressing the TCS/StabiliTrak button.
If the system is limiting wheel spin
when the button is pressed, the
system will not turn off until there is
no longer a current need to limit
wheel spin. The system can be
turned back on at any time by
pressing the button again. If the
TCS light does not come on, TCS
may not be functioning properly and
the vehicle should be serviced at
your dealer/retailer.
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Driving and Operating 9-41
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle's
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications
on page 10‑3for
more information.
StabiliTrak System
The vehicle has a stability control
system called StabiliTrak which
combines antilock brake, traction
and stability control systems and
helps the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle in most driving
conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a diifference
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to assist the
driver with keeping the vehicle on
the intended path.
When the vehicle is started and
begins to move, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to insure there are no problems. The system may be heard or felt
while it is working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a
problem with the vehicle.
This light is located on the
instrument panel cluster.
It will flash when StabiliTrak is both
on and activated.
If the system fails to turn on or
activate, this light will be on solid.
When the light is on solid, the
system will not assist the driver
maintain directional control of the
vehicle. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The StabiliTrak system
automatically comes on whenever
the vehicle is started. To assist the
driver with vehicle directional
control, especially in slippery road
conditions, the system should
always be left on. StabiliTrak can be
turned off if needed.The Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak button is located on the
instrument panel.
TCS can be turned off or turned on
by pressing and releasing the TCS/
StabiliTrak button. To disable both
StabiliTrak and TCS, press and hold
the button until the TCS/StabiliTrak
warning light turns on solid.
It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow,
and you want to
“rock”the vehicle to
attempt to free it.
ProCarManuals.com
9-42 Driving and Operating
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system. The
TCS/StabiliTrak warning light will be
on solid to warn the driver that
StabiliTrak is disabled and requires
service. If the problem does not
clear itself after restarting the
vehicle, see your dealer/retailer for
service.
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
The cruise control can be
re-engaged when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control
on
page 9‑42.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, the vehicle can
maintain a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below 40 km/h (25 mph).
On vehicles with the StabiliTrak
®
feature, the system may begin to
limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control. If this happens, the
cruise control will automatically
disengage. See StabiliTrak System
on page 9‑41.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
{WARNING
If you leave your cruise control on
when you are not using cruise,
you might hit a button and go into
cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to
use cruise control.
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9-44 Driving and Operating
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already engaged,
.Move the thumbwheel toward
−SET and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
.To slow down in very small
amounts, move the thumbwheel
toward−SET briefly. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle's speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the
previously set cruise control speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends upon the vehicle's
speed, load, and the steepness of
the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle's speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to maintain the
vehicle's speed. For some vehicles
the transmission may automatically
downshift when going down hills to
help maintain the vehicle's speed.
When the brakes are applied the
cruise control shuts off.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to disengage
the cruise control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal;
when cruise control disengages,
the indicator light on the
instrument panel cluster
goes out.
.PressEto turn off the cruise
control system.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed
memory is erased when the cruise
control or the ignition is turned off.
Object Detection
Systems
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
The vehicle may have a Rear Vision
Camera system. Read this entire
section before using it.
{WARNING
The Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
system does not replace driver
vision. RVC does not:
.Detect objects that are
outside the camera's field of
view, below the bumper,
or underneath the vehicle.
.Detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets. (Continued)
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