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•Example only:
WARNING:Exceeding the Safety Compliance Certification Label
vehicle weight rating limits could result in substandard vehicle
handling or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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WARNING:Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the original tires because they may
lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the original tires do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
WARNING:Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could
result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lb.). In metric units (635-340 (5 x 68) = 295 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•Another example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is there enough load
capacity to carry you, 4 of your friends and all the golf bags? You and
four friends average 220 lb. (99 kg) each and the golf bags weigh
approximately 30 lb. (13.5 kg) each. The calculation would be: 1400 –
(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100 - 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you have
enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport four friends and
your golf bags. In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (5 x
99 kg) - (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 - 495 - 67.5 = 72.5 kg.
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•A final example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up
cement from the local home improvement store to finish that patio
you have been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of
the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for
12-100 lb. (45 kg) bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity
to transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each
weigh 220 lb. (99 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 - (2 x 220) - (12
x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 1200 = - 240 lb. No, you do not have enough
cargo capacity to carry that much weight. In metric units, the
calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (12 x 45 kg) = 635 - 198 -
540 = -103 kg. You will need to reduce the load weight by at least
240 lb. (104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lb. (45 kg) cement bags, then
the load calculation would be:
1400 - (2 x 220) - (9 x 100) = 1400 - 440 - 900 = 60 lb. Now you have
the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home. In
metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg - (2 x 99 kg) - (9 x
45 kg) = 635 - 198 - 405 = 32 kg.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.
TRAILER TOWING
WARNING:Never tow a trailer with this vehicle. Your vehicle is
not equipped to tow. No towing packages are available through
an authorized dealer.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
Note:The vehicle must be towed in the forward position to ensure no
damage is done to the internal transmission components. In addition, it is
recommended that you follow the instructions provided by the
aftermarket manufacturer of the towing equipment, if provided.
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational (RV) towing.
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind
a motor home. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.
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Before you tow your vehicle, follow these directions for your specific
vehicle configurationafterit is hooked-up to the RV or tow dolly:
Vehicles with a manual transmission
1. Release the parking brake.
2. Move the gearshift to the neutral position.
•The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).
•There is no limitation on towing distance.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission but no push button start
system
Note:Theremustbe battery power to properly move the transmission’s
internal components to N (Neutral) in Step 3. Also, moving the gearshift
to the N (Neutral) position without first turning the ignition to the on
(II) position limits the towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and
50 miles (80 km).
1. Release the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to the on (II) position.
3. Press the brake pedal, then move the gearshift to the N (Neutral)
position.
4. Wait for TRANSMISSION READY to appear in the multi-function
display, then turn the ignition to the off (0) position and release the
brake pedal.
5. Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. (The
anti-theft system is disabled until the battery cable is reconnected.)
Refer toBatteryin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter
when disconnecting and reconnecting the battery cable.
•The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).
•There is no limitation on towing distance.
When done towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting
the battery cable. When reconnecting that cable, tighten it until it’s snug
against the terminal; be careful not to overtighten.
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Vehicles with an automatic transmission and push button start
system
Note:Theremustbe battery power to properly move the transmission’s
internal components to N (Neutral) in Step 3. Also, moving the gearshift
to the N (Neutral) position without first turning the ignition to the on
(II) position limits the towing capability to 35 mph (56 km/h) and
50 miles (80 km).
1. Release the parking brake.
2. Activate the ignition by pressing the START/STOP button, butnot
applying the brake pedal.
3. Press the brake pedal, then move the gearshift to the N (Neutral)
position. Release the brake pedal.
4. Wait for TRANSMISSION READY to appear in the multi-function
display, then deactivate the ignition by pressing the START/STOP
button.
5. Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery. (The door
key [inside the Intelligent Access Key] is needed to lock/unlock doors
when the battery cable is disconnected. Also, the anti-theft system is
disabled until the battery cable is reconnected.) Refer toBatteryin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter when disconnecting
and reconnecting the battery cable.
•The maximum towing speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).
•There is no limitation on towing distance.
When done towing, start the engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting
the battery cable. When reconnecting that cable, tighten it until it’s snug
against the terminal; be careful not to overtighten.
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
If your vehicle is equipped with a push button start system, refer to
Push button start systemin this section for ignition modes.
1. 0 (off) — locks the steering
wheel, automatic transmission
gearshift lever and allows key
removal. This position also shuts the
engine and all electrical accessories
off.
2. I (accessory) — allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.
3. II (on) — all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated.
Key position when driving.
4. III (start) — cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Note:Do not store the key in the ignition after the vehicle is turned off
and you have left the vehicle. This could cause a drain on the battery.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system.
This system meets all Canadian interference-causing equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
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WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
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•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Press the clutch pedal to the
floor.
3. Turn the key to II (on) without
turning the key to III (start).
Some warning lights will briefly illuminate. SeeWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information
regarding the warning lights.
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