341
uu Off-Highway Driving Guidelines u Avoiding 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.
• Ac
celerating 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.
• Av
oiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Dri
ving on Slopes increasing your risk of a rollove r, 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.
• Cros
sing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large pu ddle, 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 di fferential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If Yo
u 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 ho oks are provided for this purpose.
354
uu When Driving u VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4 r System *
Driving
VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4 r System *
Senses a traction loss caused by a road condition change, and automatically
transfers some power to the rear wheels.
Use the VTM-4 r
LOCK to increase more to rque 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.
u The
indicator in the button comes on.
Any of the following disengages the VTM-4 r 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-4 r LOCK
■To Disengage the VTM-4 r LOCK
1 VTM (Variable Torque Management)-4 r System *
NOTICE
Do not continuously spin the front tires of your
vehicle. Continuously spinning the front tires can
cause transmission or re ar differential damage.
1To Engage the VTM-4 r LOCK
Do not use the VTM-4r LOCK button on dry, paved
roads. Driving on dry, paved roads with VTM-4 r
LOCK on may damage the r ear differential when
making a turn. Strange noise and vibration can also
result.
The VTM-4 r 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 fr ee the vehicle, stop and
reverse direction.
As soon as this featur e is no longer needed,
disengage the VTM-4 r LOCK.
1 To Disengage the VTM-4 r LOCK
The VTM-4 r 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
357
uu When Driving u Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Continued
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required
Federal Explanation
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufa cturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a diff ere
nt size than the size indicated
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflat ion pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your ve
hicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires i
s significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pr
essure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inf lated tire causes
the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire fail ure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
358
uu When Driving u Tire 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 un der-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumina tion of the TPMS low ti re pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been eq uipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the sy stem 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
in
tended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the in
stallation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction t
elltale 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 info rmation display
359
uu When Driving u Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Your vehicle has also been equi pped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the syst em detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash fo r approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illumina ted. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
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 m
alfunction 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 multi- information display
377
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 378
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 379Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 380
Maintenance Minder™ ...............
..... 381
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 389Opening the Hood ........................... 390
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 392
Oil Check ......................................... 393
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 394
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 395
Engine Coolant ................................ 397
Transmission Fluid ............................ 399
Brake Fluid ....................................... 400
Power Steering Fluid ........................ 400
Refilling Window Wa s
her Fluid......... 401
Replacing Light Bulbs .... ................... 402Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades.... 410Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 414
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 415Tire Labeling .................................... 415DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 417Wear Indicators................................ 419 Tire Service Life ................................ 419
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 420
Tire Rotation .................................... 421
Winter Tires ..................................... 422
Battery .............
.................................. 423
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Button Battery ........... 424
Remote Control and Wireless Headphone Care
*...........................425Climate Control System Maintenance..... 427Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 428
Exterior Care.................................... 430
* Not available on all models
378
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance
For your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintena nce booklet for detailed maintenance and
inspection information.
■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance tri ps
, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■Periodic inspections
• Che
ck the automatic transmi ssion fluid level monthly.
2Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 399
• Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Checking the Brake Fluid P. 400
• Check the tire pressure monthly. Examin e the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 414
• Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 402
• Check the condition of the wiper bl ades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 410
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and fede ral regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all ma intenance services should
be performed in accordan ce with the intervals
indicated by the information display
*/multi-
information display *.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 383
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, purchase the
service manual.
2 Authorized Manuals P. 474
If you want to perform ma intenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing ma intenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models
* Not available on all models
383
uu Maintenance Minder™ u To Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■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
Maintenance
Minder Indicator
Sub Items
Main Item
*1: If a message
SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
*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).
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
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 110ºF, 43ºC), in very low temperatures (under
-20ºF, -29ºC), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 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 VTM-4 r * rear differential fluid*5
* Not available on all models