Page 291 of 433
290
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
•Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
heating and cooling system
*/climate control system
* and reduce speed. Pull to the
side of the road safely to cool down the engine if necessary.
•Shift to the
(d
or position (depending on models) if the transmission shifts
frequently.
Towing Your VehicleYour vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.2Emergency Towing P. 409■
Driving in Hilly Terrain
D4
* Not available on all models
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291
Continued
Driving
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, heating and
cooling system
*/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 charged 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.
Brake Pedal
* Not available on all models
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323
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance ............ 324Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 325Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 326
Maintenance Minder™.................... 327
Maintenance Under the HoodMaintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 335Opening the Hood ........................... 336
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 337
Oil Check ......................................... 338
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 339Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 340
Engine Coolant ................................ 342
Transmission Fluid ............................ 344
Brake Fluid ....................................... 345
Power Steering Fluid Check.............. 346
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 346
Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 347Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades
.... 358
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 362Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 363Tire Labeling .................................... 363DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 365Wear Indicators................................ 367Tire Service Life ................................ 367
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 368
Tire Rotation .................................... 369
Winter Tires ..................................... 370
Battery............................................... 371
Remote Transmitter Care................. 372
Remote Control and Wireless
Headphone Care
*........................... 374
Heating and Cooling System
*/Climate
Control System
* Maintenance....... 376
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 377
Exterior Care.................................... 379
* Not available on all models
Page 363 of 433

362Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining TiresChecking TiresTo safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.■Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and comfort.
Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or specification’s page for the specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and
are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
■Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
•Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,
splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
•Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.
•Uneven tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.
•Excessive tread wear.2Wear Indicators P. 367
•Cracks or other damage around valve stem.
1Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been parked for at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If
necessary, add or release air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm
2) higher than if
checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. New tires and any that have
been removed and reinstalled should be properly
balanced.
3
WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s
manual regarding tire inflation and
maintenance.
Page 377 of 433
376Maintenance
Heating and Cooling System
*/Climate Control System
* Maintenance
Dust and Pollen FilterThe heating and cooling system/climate control system is equipped with a dust and
pollen filter that collects pollen, dust, and other debris in the air. The Maintenance
Minder
TM messages will let you know when to replace the filter.
We recommend that you replace the dust and pollen filter sooner when using your
vehicle in areas with high concentrations of dust.
1Dust and Pollen Filter
If the airflow from the heating and cooling system/
climate control system deteriorates noticeably, and
the windows fog up easily, the filter may need to be
replaced. Please contact a dealer for replacement.
* Not available on all models
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381
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 382
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 383
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 392
Jump Starting.................................... 393
Shift Lever Does Not Move.............. 395
Overheating
How to Handle Overheating ............. 396Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 398If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 398
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes
On or Blinks ................................... 399If the Brake System Indicator Comes On ....... 400If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 401
If the TPMS Indicator Comes On ...... 401If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 402
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 403
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 408
Emergency Towing........................... 409
When You Cannot Open or Close the
Tailgate............................................ 410
Page 397 of 433
396Handling the Unexpected
OverheatingHow to Handle OverheatingOverheating symptoms are as follows:
•The temperature gauge needle is at the mark or the engine suddenly loses
power.
•Steam or spray comes out of the engine compartment.■First thing to do
1.Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place.
2.Turn off all accessories and turn on the hazard warning lights.
uNo steam or spray present: Keep the engine running and open the hood.
uSteam or spray is present: Turn off the engine and wait until it subsides.
Then open the hood.
1How to Handle OverheatingNOTICEContinuing to drive with the temperature gauge
needle at the mark may damage the engine.
3
WARNING
Steam and spray from an overheated
engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming
out.
H
H
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397
uuOverheatinguHow to Handle Overheating
Handling the Unexpected
■Next thing to do
1.Check that the cooling fan is operating and
stop the engine once the temperature
gauge needle comes down.
uIf the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
2.Once the engine has cooled down, inspect
the coolant level and check the cooling
system components for leaks.
uIf the coolant level in the reserve tank is
low, add coolant until it reaches the
MAX mark.
uIf there is no coolant in the reserve tank,
check that the radiator is cool. Cover the
radiator cap with a heavy cloth and open
the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to
the base of the filler neck, and put the
cap back on.■Last thing to do
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the temperature gauge.
If the temperature gauge needle has gone down, resume driving. If it has not gone
down, contact a dealer for repairs.
1How to Handle Overheating
If the coolant is leaking, contact a dealer for repairs.
Use water as an emergency/temporary measure only.
Have a dealer flush the system with proper antifreeze
as soon as possible.
3
WARNING
Removing the radiator cap while the
engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray
out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool
down before removing the radiator cap.
MAX
Reserve
Tank
MIN