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219
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 220
Maximum Load Limit........................ 223
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 225
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 226
Precautions While Driving................. 229
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .......... 230
Shifting ............................................ 231
ECON Button ................................... 236
Cruise Control ................................. 237
VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System .. 240TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 242
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 243
Braking
Brake System ................................... 245
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 247
Brake Assist System.......................... 248Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 249
Auto Idle Stop ................................. 250
Multi-View Rear Camera
*................ 253
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 254
How to Refuel ................................. 255
Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 256
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 257
Modifications................................... 257
* Not available on all models
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221
uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation
Driving
•Store or secure all items on board properly.
uCarrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 223
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
uThey can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
•Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat.
uAn object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
•If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
uThey may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
•Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 111
•Adjust your seating position properly.
uAdjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 135
2Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 138
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
uAdjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2Adjusting the Mirrors P. 133
2Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 132
■Interior Checks
1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk, have the aiming readjusted
at a dealer or by a qualified technician.
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226Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2.Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in
(P.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft.
If an improperly coded device is used, the engine’s
fuel system is disabled.
2Immobilizer System P. 118
Brake Pedal
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227
uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
Driving
3.Press the ENGINE START/ STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.
1.Shift to
(P.
2.Press the ENGINE START/STOP button.
1.Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2Parking Brake P. 245
2.Put the shift lever in
(D. Select
(R when reversing.
3.Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
1Starting the Engine
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/ STOP button if the battery in the keyless
access remote is weak.
2If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 329
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
Do not hold the ENGINE START/ STOP button to
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
■Stopping the Engine■Starting to Drive
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uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
228Driving
■Creep aid system
With the shift lever in
(D, this feature applies brake pressure briefly as you release
the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged briefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Move the Shift lever to
(D when facing uphill, or
(R when facing downhill, then
release the brake pedal.
1Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and
does not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
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229
uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine,
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.■In Rain■Other Precautions
1Precautions While DrivingNOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY or VEHICLE
OFF (LOCK) while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
(N, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
NOTICEFollowing can damage the under spoiler:•Parking the vehicle by a parking block•Parallel parking along the road shoulder•Driving towards the bottom of a hill•Driving up or down to a different surface level
(such as a road shoulder)•Driving on a rutted or bumpy road•Driving on a road with potholes
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230
uuWhen DrivinguAutomatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
Automatic Transmission (CVT)The engine runs at a higher idle speed and creeping increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower ratio, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.■Creeping■Kickdown
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231
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
ShiftingChange the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.■Shift lever positions
1Shifting
You cannot change the power mode from ON to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) unless the shift lever is in
(P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
When shifting gears in extremely low temperatures
(-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short delay before the
shift is indicated in the display. Always confirm you
are in the correct speed position before driving.
Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for:●Normal driving●Temporarily driving in the 7-speed manual
shift mode
Drive (S)
Used for:●Better acceleration●Increased engine braking●Going up or down hills●Driving in the 7-speed manual shift mode
Release Button