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149
uuAdjusting the SeatsuAdjusting the Seat Positions
Controls
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and head restraints, and put on their seat
belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their seats, with
their feet on the floor, until the vehicle is safely parked and the engine is off.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if an
occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or sideways,
or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased.
In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or
fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an
inflating front airbag.
The driver’s and front passenger’s seats have active head restraints. In a rear impact,
an occupant properly secured by a seat belt will be pushed against the seat-back and
the head restraint will move forward. This reduces the distance between the
restraint and the occupant’s head, which helps reduce the likelihood of whiplash
and injuries to the neck and upper spine.■Maintain a Proper Sitting Position■Active Head Restraints
1Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
3
WARNING
Sitting improperly or out of position can
result in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright, well back in the seat,
with your feet on the floor.1Active Head Restraints
In order for the active head restraints to operate
properly:•Do not hang any items on the head restraints, or
from the restraint legs.•Do not place any objects between an occupant and
the seat-back.•Install each restraint in its proper location.
After a collision, the activated restraint should return
to its normal position. If the restraint does not return
to its normal position, or in the event of a severe
collision, have the vehicle inspected by a dealer.
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154
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
Interior Convenience Items
Pull the handle to open the glove box. You
can lock the glove box with the built-in key.
■Glove Box
1Glove Box
3
WARNING
An open glove box can cause serious injury
to your passenger in a crash, even if the
passenger is wearing the seat belt.
Always keep the glove box closed while
driving.
Page 162 of 324

Continued
161
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
If the power mode is in ON:
Seat heater - The HI setting heats the seats
faster than the LO setting.
There is no heater in the passenger’s seatback
due to the side airbag cutoff system.
Seat ventilation - The HI setting ventilates
the seats faster than the LO setting.
Press the seat heater or the seat ventilation
button:
Once - The HI setting (three indicators on)
Twice - The MID setting (two indicators on)
Three times - The LO setting
Four times - The OFF setting (no indicators on)
When a comfortable temperature is reached
while using the seat heaters in HI, select MID
or LO to keep the seat warm.
■Front Seat Heaters and Seat Ventilation
1Front Seat Heaters and Seat Ventilation
Do not use the seat heaters and the seat ventilation
even in LO when the engine is OFF. Under such
conditions, the battery may be weakened, making
the engine difficult to start.
3
WARNING
Heat induced burns are possible when
using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminished ability to sense
temperature (e.g., persons with diabetes,
lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis) or
with sensitive skin should not use seat
heaters.
Page 163 of 324
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
162Controls
If the power mode is in ON: The HI setting
heats the seats faster than the LO setting.
There is no heater in the rear center seating
position.
While in HI, the heater cycles on and off.
uThe appropriate indicator will be on
while the seat heater is on. When a
comfortable temperature is reached,
select LO to keep the seat warm.
■Rear Seat Heaters
*
1Rear Seat Heaters
*
Do not use the seat heaters even in LO when the
engine is off. Under such conditions, the battery may
be weakened, making the engine difficult to start.
In the LO setting, the heater runs continuously and
does not automatically turn off.
3
WARNING
Heat induced burns are possible when
using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminished ability to sense
temperature (e.g., persons with diabetes,
lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis) or
with sensitive skin should not use seat
heaters.
* Not available on all models
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171
DrivingThis chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 172
Maximum Load Limit........................ 175
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation .......................... 177
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 180
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 181
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
General Information ......................... 182
Important Safety Precautions............ 182
Avoiding Trouble ............................. 183When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 185
Precautions While Driving ................ 187
Automatic Transmission ................... 188
Shifting ............................................ 189
Cruise Control ................................. 193
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) .... 196
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) ....... 199
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 202
SH-AWD® (Super Handling-All Wheel
Drive
TM) .......................................... 204BSI (Blind Spot Information) ............. 205
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) .. 208Braking
Brake System ................................... 212
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 214
Brake Assist System ......................... 215
Parking Your Vehicle........................ 216
Refueling........................................... 221
Fuel Economy.................................... 224
Accessories and Modifications........ 225
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175
uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load LimitThe maximum load for your vehicle is 830 lbs (380 kg).
See Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver’s doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining 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.
(1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
1Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load.
2Specifications P. 306
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle.
2Specifications P. 306
3
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability
and cause a crash in which you
can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.
Label Example
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177
Continued
Driving
Towing a TrailerTowing PreparationYour vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer,
cargo, and everything in or on it must not
exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg). Towing loads in
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle
handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain.■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight.
•Excessive tongue load reduces front tire
traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
•To achieve a proper tongue load, start by
loading 60% of the load toward the front
of the trailer and 40% toward the rear.
Readjust the load as needed.
■Towing Load Limits
1Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and the
tongue load.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle’s first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information
2Vehicle Specifications P. 306
3
WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total LoadTongue LoadTongue Load
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182Driving
Off-Highway Driving GuidelinesGeneral InformationYour vehicle has been designed primarily for use on pavement, however, its higher
ground clearance allows you to occasionally travel on unpaved roads.
It is not designed for trail-blazing, or other challenging off-road activities.
If you decide to drive on unpaved roads, you will find that it requires somewhat
different driving skills and that your vehicle will handle somewhat differently than it
does on pavement. Pay attention to the precautions and tips in this section, and get
acquainted with your vehicle before leaving the pavement.Important Safety PrecautionsTo avoid loss of control or rollover, be sure to follow all precautions and
recommendations:
•Be sure to store cargo properly and do not exceed your cargo load limits.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 175
•Whenever you drive, make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
•Keep your speed low, and never go faster than the conditions allow.
•It’s up to you to continually assess the situation and drive within the limits.
1Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result
in a crash or a roll over.
2Important Handling Information P. 24
2Precautions While Driving P. 187
3
WARNING
Improperly operating this vehicle on or
off-pavement can cause a crash or
rollover in which you and your
passengers can be seriously injured or
killed.
•Follow all instructions and guidelines
in this owner’s manual.
•Keep your speed low, and don’t drive
faster than conditions permit.