Page 124 of 572
124 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When shifting the shift lever
Vehicles with an automatic transmission: Be careful not to shift the shift lever
with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (automatic transmission only) or
N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause
an accident that could result in death or serious injury.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● Vehicles with an automatic transmission: In order to prevent accidents due
to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the brake pedal while
the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine. Running the engine at high speed
while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust system to overheat,
which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.
■ When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following.
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may rupture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
Page 126 of 572
126 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Page 139 of 572
139
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Hor n
■After adjusting the steering wheel
Make sure that the steering wheel is securely locked.
The horn may not sound if the steering wheel is not securely locked.
(P. 66)
To sound the horn, press on or
close to the mark.
Page 144 of 572
144 2-2. Instrument cluster
■Indicators
The indicators inform the driver of the operating state of the
vehicle’s various systems.
Turn signal indicator
(P. 136)*1
(if equipped)
AUTO LSD indicator
( P. 185)
Headlight high beam
indicator ( P. 149)
(if equipped)
Four-wheel drive
indicator(P. 179)
Security indicator
(P. 79)
(if equipped)
Center differential lock
indicator ( P. 176)
(Automatic
transmission vehicles)
Shift position and shift
range indicators
(P. 132)
*1
(if equipped)
Rear differential lock
indicator ( P. 187)
*1AIR BAG ON indicator
(P. 97)
*1AIR BAG OFF indicator
(P. 97)
(if equipped)
Cruise control indicator
(P. 154)*1RSCA OFF indicator
( P. 95)
*1,2Slip indicator
(P. 183, 185, 192, 196)*1TRAC OFF indicator
( P. 197, 198)
*1VSC OFF indicator
(P. 185, 197, 198)*1
(if equipped)
Crawl Control indicator
( P. 192)
*1
(if equipped)
Active traction control
system indicator
(P. 182)
Page 181 of 572
181
2-4. Using other
driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
●Never shift the front-wheel drive control lever from H2 to H4 if the wheels
are slipping.
Stop the slipping or spinning before shifting.
● For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, use H2 position. Driving
on dry and hard surface roads in H4 or L4 position may cause drive com-
ponent oil leakage, seizure, or other problems resulting in an accident.
Further, it may cause tire wear and increased fuel consumption.
● Avoid turning suddenly in H4 or L4 position. If you do turn suddenly, the
difference in turning speeds between the front and rear wheels may have
a similar effect to braking, thus making driving difficult.
● Securely shift the front-wheel drive control lever to H4 or L4. Otherwise,
the transfer may disengage both the front and rear driveshafts from the
powertrain and allow the vehicle to move regardless of the shift position.
If this happens, the vehicle may be free to roll even if the automatic t\
rans-
mission is in P.
Page 206 of 572
206
2-5. Driving information
Cargo and luggage
Capacity and distributionCargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The co mbined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3)Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the av ailable amount of cargo and lug-
gage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 750 (5 150)
= 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Take notice of the following information about storage precau-
tions, cargo capacity and load.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the luggage compartment whenever
possible.
● Be sure all items are secured in place.
● Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
● For better fuel economy, do no t carry unnecessary weight.
Page 208 of 572
208 2-5. Driving information
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants
increases, the cargo and luggage load will be reduced by an amount
that equals the increased weight du e to the additional occupants. In
other words, if an increase in the number of occupants causes an
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus
cargo and luggage load), you must reduce the cargo and luggage on
your vehicle.
CAUTION
■Things that must not be carried in the luggage compartment
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the luggage compart-
ment.
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the
item may get under the clutch, brake or accelerator pedal and prevent
the pedals from being depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or
hit the driver or passengers, causing an accident.
• Driver’s feet
• Front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• Instrument panel
• Dashboard
• Auxiliary box or tray that has no lid
●Do not stack anything in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in an accident.
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during sudden braking, sudden swerving or an acci-
dent.
Page 227 of 572
227
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
■
Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height
■ Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. ( P. 521)
● Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom-
mendation.
● All trailer lights work as required by law.
● All lights work each time you connect them.
● The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the trai\
ler.
● The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue
weight, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
● The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
● The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
No matter which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball
