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uuTowing a Trailer uDriving 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. 233
•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
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the traile r 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.
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
climate control system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road safely to cool
down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the
(S position if the transmission shifts frequently.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
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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240
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in (P.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1 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 de fogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
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.
Bring the keyless access remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the batte ry in the keyless
access remote is weak. 2 If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is
Weak P. 326
The engine may not start if the keyless access remote
is subjected to strong radio waves.
You do not need to hold the ENGINE START/STOP
button to start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
The immobilizer system pr otects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly code d key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled.
2 Immobilizer System P. 113
Brake Pedal
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uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.
1. Shift to
(P.
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button with your foot on the brake pedal.
1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2 Parking Brake P. 257
2.Put the shift lever in (D. Select (R when reversing.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist helps to 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 or (S when facing uphill, or (R when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
The brakes remain engaged briefly as you release the brake pedal.
■Stopping the Engine
■Starting to Drive
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very st eep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
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244
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift positi on 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 pe dal 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 indicated in the display. Always confirm you are
in the correct gear before driving.
Park
Used when parking or starting the
engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for:
●Normal driving (gear change
between 1st and 6th automatically)
●Temporally driving in the sequential
mode
Drive (S)
Used for:
●Automatically changing gears
between 1st and 5th (5th gear is used
only at high speed)
●Driving in the sequential mode
Release Button
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257Continued
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.To apply:
Depress the parking brake pedal down with
your foot.
To release:
1.Depress the brake pedal.
2. Depress the parking brake.
■Parking Brake1Parking Brake
NOTICE
Release the parking brake fu lly before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parki ng brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning, and RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE appears on the multi-information
display.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.
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261
Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped
1.Depress the brake pedal firmly with the shift lever in (D.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Move the shift lever from
(D to (P.
4. Turn off the engine.
Always set the parking brake firmly, in pa rticular if you are parked on an incline.
1Parking Your Vehicle
Do not park your vehicle near flammable objects,
such as dry grass, oil, or timber.
Heat from the exhaust can cause a fire.
1 When Stopped
NOTICE
The following can dama ge the transmission:
•Depressing the accelerator and brake pedals
simultaneously.
•Holding the vehicle in place when facing uphill by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
•Moving the shift lever into ( P before the vehicle
stops completely.
Raise the wiper arms when snow is expected.
In extremely cold temperatures, the parking brake
may freeze in the applied position. To prevent this,
use a block or wheel chock to prevent the wheels
from moving.
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269
uuBefore Performing Maintenance uSafety When Performing Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safe ty precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform
a given task.
• To reduce the possibility of fire or explos ion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
• Never leave rags, towels, or other flammable objects under the hood.
u Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite them causing a fire.
• To clean parts, use a co mmercially available degreas er or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
• Wear eye protection and protective clothi ng when working with the battery or
compressed air.
• Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
u Only operate the engine if th ere is sufficient ventilation.
• The vehicle must be in a stationary condition.
u Make sure your vehicle is parked on le vel ground, the parking brake is set, and
the engine is off.
• Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
u Make sure to let the engine and exhaust system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
• Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
u Do not start the engine unless instruct ed, and keep your hands and limbs away
from moving parts.
■Maintenance Safety
■Vehicle Safety
1 Safety When Performing Maintenance
3WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or
failing to correct a pr oblem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and
maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this owner's manual.
3WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance
instructions and precautions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and
precautions in this owner's manual.
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uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).
•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder Message
System Message Indicator
Sub Items
Main
Item
*1: If the message
SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear bra kes, service as necessary●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), in very low temperatures (under -
20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission and transfer fluid*
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*
* Not available on all models
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