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23
uuFor Safe Driving uImportant Safety Precautions
Safe Driving
■Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely
Engaging in cell phone conversation or ot her activities that keep you from paying
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrian s could lead to a crash.
Remember, situations can change quickly, an d only you can decide when it is safe to
divert some attention away from driving.
■Control your speed
Excessive speed is a major fa ctor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher
the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds.
Never drive faster than is safe for curre nt conditions, regardless of the maximum
speed posted.
■Keep your vehicle in safe condition
Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous.
To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition
frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.
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uuIndicators uMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Continued
Instrument Panel
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
MessageConditionExplanation
●Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due soon.●Consequently, SERVICE DUE NOW and SERVICE
PAST DUE follow.2Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-
Information Display P. 274
●Appears when you open the driver’s door while the
ignition key is in LOCK (0.
●Remove the key from the ignition switch.
●Appears when the engine coolant temperature gets
abnormally high.
2 Overheating P. 332
●Appears when there is a problem with the power
tailgate system.●Manually open or close the power tailgate.●Have the vehicle ch ecked by a dealer.
●Appears when the starting system has a problem.●As a temporary measure, hold the ignition switch to
START (e*1 for up to 15 seconds and start the engine.
Have the vehicle ch ecked by a dealer.
Models without
keyless access remote
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uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
Continued
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the paveme nt and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been comple ted. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, an d check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limits (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your vehicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
• Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollov er, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight or down a slope is usually the
safest. If you can’t clearly see all conditions or obstacles on a slope, walk it before
you drive it. If there is any doubt whethe r you can safely pass, don’t try it. Find
another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around. Back
down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
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271
uuBefore Performing Maintenance uSafety When Performing Maintenance
Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safe ty precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform
a given task.
• To reduce the possibility of fire or expl osion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
• To clean parts, use a comm ercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
• Wear eye protection and pr otective clothing when working with the battery or
compressed air.
• Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
u Only operate the engine if th ere is sufficient ventilation.
• The vehicle must be in a stationary condition.
u Make sure your vehicle is parked on level ground, the parking brake is set, and
the engine is off.
• Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
u Make sure to let the engine and exha ust system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
• Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
u Do not start the engine unless instruct ed, and keep your hands and limbs away
from moving parts.
■Maintenance Safety
■Vehicle Safety
1 Safety When Performing Maintenance
3WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or
failing to correct a problem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and
maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this owner’s manual.
3WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance
instructions and precautions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and
precautions in this owner’s manual.