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Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
•Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior  
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
uRemove any frost, snow, or ice.
uRemove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of 
vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.
uWhen removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel 
or wheel components.
•Make sure the hood is securely closed.
uIf the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
•Make sure the tires are in good condition.
uCheck air pressures, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 414
•Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
uThere are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen shut, use warm water around 
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force  
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim  around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid  
further freezing. 
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in  
the hole. 
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite 
flammable materials left under the hood, causing a fire. If you've parked your vehicle for an extended 
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have 
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have  fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a 
small animal. Also check under the hood for leftover 
flammable materials after you or someone else has performed maintenance on your vehicle. 
     
        
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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. 327
•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 tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 103
•Adjust your seating position properly.
uAdjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 137
2Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 141
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
uAdjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 134
2Adjusting the Mirrors P. 135
■Interior Checks1Interior 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 cargo area or tow a trailer, have  
the aiming readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified  technician. 
     
        
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uuTowing a TraileruDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
•Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
•Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 329
•When towing more than 3,500lbs (1,590 kg), use of gasoline with a pump octane  
number of 91 or higher is recommended.
uTowing performance can be affected by high altitude, high temperature, or  
steep uphill.
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
•Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while 
driving.
•Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
•Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare.
•Drive slower than normal.
•Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
•Use the (D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
•Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
•Allow more time and distance for braking.
•Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer 
Parking In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel  
chocks at each of the trailer's tires. 
     
        
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uuOff-Highway Driving GuidelinesuAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
•Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all 
scheduled maintenance has been completed. Pay special attention to the  
condition of the tires, and 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 increasing your risk of a rollover, 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 whether 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.
•Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water 
in your route (a small stream or large puddle, for example), evaluate it carefully 
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground  
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find 
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The  
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and 
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
•If You Get Stuck, carefully go in the direction that you think will get you 
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could 
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need 
to be towed. Front and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose. 
     
        
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uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
Driving
Cruise Control
Maintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the  
accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a  
constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
1Cruise Control 
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed  
when driving uphill or downhill. 
When not using cruise control: 
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE button.
3WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead  
to a crash. 
Use the cruise control only when traveling  
on open highways in good weather. 
■Shift positions for cruise control:  In (D or (d
Always keep sufficient distance  between you and the vehicle in front of you.
■Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above  roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
CRUISE MAIN is on in the instrument panel.
Cruise control is ready to use.
■Press the CRUISE button on the steering wheel. 
When to use 
When to use 
     
        
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uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
350
Driving
Increase or decrease the vehicle speed using the RES/ACCEL or DECEL/SET buttons 
on the steering wheel. 
•Each time you press the button, the vehicle speed is increased or decreased by 
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
•If you keep the button pressed, the vehicle speed increases or decreases until you 
release it. This speed is then set.
■To Adjust the Vehicle Speed1To Adjust the Vehicle Speed 
You can set the vehicle speed using the DECEL/SET button on the steering wheel when adjusting the  
speed with the accelerator and brake pedals.
To decrease speed
To increase speed 
     
        
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uuWhen DrivinguVTM (Variable Torque Management)-4r System*
Driving
VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4r System*
Senses a traction loss caused by a road condition change, and automatically 
transfers some power to the rear wheels. 
Use the VTM-4r LOCK to increase more torque to the rear wheels.
1.Stop your vehicle with the engine running.
2.Move the shift lever to (1, (2, or (R.
3.Press the VTM-4r LOCK button.
uThe indicator in the button comes on.
Any of the following disengages the VTM-4r LOCK:
•Pressing the VTM-4r LOCK button again.
•Moving the shift lever to (D or (d.
•Turning the ignition switch to the LOCK (0 position.
■To Engage the VTM-4r LOCK
■To Disengage the VTM-4r LOCK
1VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4r System*
NOTICE
Do not continuously spin the front tires of your  vehicle. Continuously spinning the front tires can  
cause transmission or rear differential damage.
1To Engage the VTM-4r LOCK
Do not use the VTM-4r LOCK button on dry, paved roads. Driving on dry, paved roads with VTM-4r 
LOCK on may damage the rear differential when 
making a turn. Strange noise and vibration can also result. 
The VTM-4r LOCK can be used to help free your 
vehicle from being stuck in mud, sand, or gravel.When the lock is engaged, apply light pressure to the 
accelerator pedal.
When more torque is applied, the rear tires are not  likely to spin. This is normal. 
If you are not able to free the vehicle, stop and 
reverse direction. As soon as this feature is no longer needed, 
disengage the VTM-4r LOCK.
1To Disengage the VTM-4r LOCK
The VTM-4r LOCK temporarily disengages when the 
vehicle speed exceeds 18 mph (30 km/h). The  
indicator in the button remains on.
* Not available on all models 
     
        
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uuWhen DrivinguTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire 
maintenance, and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain 
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the 
level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction 
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. 
The TPMS malfunction indicator is provided by a separate telltale,  
which displays the symbol “TPMS” when illuminated.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,  
the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as 
intended.  
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including 
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the 
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or 
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the  
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to 
continue to function properly.
Models with information display