Page 77 of 422

If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure. This indicator normally comes
on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position.If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost pressure on the tire pressure
monitor, and determine the cause. If
it is because of a f lat tire, replace the
flat tire with the compact spare (see
page ), and have the flat tire
repaired as soon as possible. If two
or more tires are underinf lated, call a
prof essional towing service (see
page ). Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator has two f unctions:
Check the tire pressure monitor
on the multi-information display
and determine the cause (see
page ).
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see
page ). If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
1.
91
359
381 276
280
On models without navigation system On models with navigation system
Low Tire Pressure
IndicatorLow Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
72
12/08/09 16:08:44 31SJC670_079
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Page 78 of 422

This indicator normally comes
on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost pressure on the multi-
inf ormation display, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
have the flat tire repaired as soon as
possible. If two or more tires are
underinf lated, call a prof essional
towing service. For more
inf ormation, see page . If this indicator begins to flash,
there is a problem with the tire
pressure monitoring system
(TPMS). You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display. The indicator continues to
flash for a while (approximately 1
minute), then stays on. If this
happens, have your dealer check
the system as soon as possible.
For more information, see
page
. If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked. For more
inf ormation, see page .
2.
381 282
277
On models without navigation system
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
73
12/08/09 16:08:51 31SJC670_080
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Page 249 of 422

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time. Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Premium f uel is recommended when
towing in certain conditions (see
page ).
301
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
244
T o help prevent harmf ul f uel system
and engine deposits, use high quality
f uel containing detergent and additives.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain harmf ul manganese-
based f uel additives such as MMT , if
such gasoline is available.
12/08/09 16:31:39 31SJC670_251
Bef ore Driving
Page 263 of 422

The maximum load for your
vehicle is:Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit:
Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
These f igures include the total
weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Label Example See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb. 1.
2.
3.
RT,RTS,DX,VP,CanadianSport
models, and Touring model withoutmoonroof
RTL, U.S. Sport models, and Touringmodel with moonroof
L oad L imits (Payload)
Carrying Cargo
258
1,470 lbs (670 kg) 1,520 lbs (690 kg) 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.
12/08/09 16:33:31 31SJC670_265
Bef ore Driving
Page 264 of 422

µ·
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 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load
must not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). Both are on a label on
the driver’s doorjamb.
5.
6. 4.
Example 3 Example 2
Example 1
Carrying Cargo
259
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
(68kgx2=136kg)Cargo Weight
(1,220 lbs)
(554 kg)
Max Load (1,520 lbs)
(690 kg)
Max Load (1,520 lbs) (690 kg)
Max Load (1,520 lbs) (690 kg) Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
(68kgx4=272kg)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
(68kgx5=340kg)
Cargo Weight
(770 lbs)
(350 kg) Cargo Weight
(920 lbs)
(418 kg)
12/08/09 16:33:43 31SJC670_266
Bef ore Driving
Page 270 of 422

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the Variable Torque
Management
4-wheel drive
(VTM-4
) system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA
), aka
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
system, the tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS), and f acts you need
if you are planning to tow a trailer or
drive of f -highway. ........................
Driving Guidelines .266
........................
Preparing to Drive .267
.......................
Starting the Engine .268
..............
Automatic Transmission . 269
Variable Torque Management
...........
4WD (VTM-4) System . 274
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .276
...........................................
Parking .284
.............................
Braking System .286
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 287
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability Control .......................
(ESC), System .288
.................
Towing Weight Limits . 291
..........
Towing Weight Guidelines . 293
...........................
Towing a Trailer .294
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .304
Driving
265
12/08/09 16:34:17 31SJC670_272
Page 296 of 422

Your vehicle has been designed to
tow a trailer, as well as carrying
passengers and their cargo. To
saf ely tow a trailer, you should
caref ully observe the load limits (see
page ), use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.The maximum allowable weight of
the trailer and everything in or on it
depends on the number of occupants
in your vehicle and the type of trailer
being towed (see page ).
Towing a trailer that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
Avoid towing a trailer during your
vehicle’s f irst 600 miles (1,000 km)
(see page ).
Be sure to read the
section on
258
244
293
CONT INUED
Towing Weight Limits
Load Limits
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines
T ot al T railer Weight
Break-In Period
291
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
beforestartingtodrive.
12/08/09 16:37:32 31SJC670_298
Driving
page 304
if you plan to tow off
paved surfaces.
Page 297 of 422

µµ
µ The best way to confirm that all
loads are within limits is to check
them at a public scale (see
page ).
To help ensure a saf e drive to a scale,
or if you cannot get to a public scale,
we recommend that you estimate
your total trailer weight and tongue
load as described.
Add the weight of your trailer (as
quoted by the manuf acturer) with
everything in or on the trailer. Then
check the tables on page to
make sure you do not exceed the
limit f or your conditions.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 6,050 lbs
(2,745 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight on the vehicle axles
is 3,105 lbs (1,410 kg) on the f ront
axle, and 3,245 lbs (1,475 kg) on the
rear axle.
The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 10,088 lbs
(4,575 kg) with the proper hitch.
The GCWR must be reduced 2
percent f or every 1,000 f eet (305
meters) of elevation.
The weight that the tongue of a f ully-
loaded trailer puts on the hitch
should f ollow the recommended load
guidelines (see page ). Too
much tongue load reduces f ront-tire
traction and steering control. Too
little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
293 291
293
Towing Weight Limits
Estimating Loads
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR)
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
To Estimate the Total Trailer Weight
Tongue Load
292
12/08/09 16:37:41 31SJC670_299
Driving