
WARNING! (Continued)
• If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory. Fail-
ure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing
loss of control of the vehicle.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven
wear patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other
objects lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the
tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts,
cracks and bulges. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper cold infla-
tion pressure. Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights
and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check
turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the instru-
ment panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering
fluid (for versions/markets, where provided), or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located
and corrected immediately.
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Automatic Transmission
The foot operated parking brake is located below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the
park brake, firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To
release the parking brake, press the park brake pedal a
second time and let your foot up as you feel the brake
disengage.
(fig. 156)
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will illuminate.NOTE:
• When the parking brake is applied and the automatic
transmission is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning
Light” will flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime
will sound to alert the driver. Fully release the park-
ing brake before attempting to move the vehicle.
• This light only shows that the parking brake is ap- plied. It does not show the degree of brake applica-
tion.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. For vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission, apply the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied whenever
the driver is not in the vehicle.
(fig. 156) Parking Brake
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The transmission shift lever has PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick® (-/+) shift posi-
tions. Manual shifts can be made using the AutoStick®
shift control (refer to “AutoStick®” in this section for
further information). Moving the shift lever into the
AutoStick® (-/+) position (below the Drive position)
activates Autostick® mode, providing manual shift
control and displaying the current gear in the instru-
ment cluster. In AutoStick® mode, tapping the shift
lever left (-) or right (+) will manually select the
transmission gear.
(fig. 158)
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment
to allow the selected gear to engage before accelerat-
ing. This is especially important when the engine is
cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking
the transmission. The engine can be started in this
range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is
in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the park-
ing brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load
on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
(fig. 158)
Shift Lever
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• If a requested downshift would cause the engine toover-speed, that shift will not occur.
• Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is en- gaged.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when AutoStick is engaged.
• The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the shift lever to
the DRIVE position. You can shift in or out of the
AutoStick position at any time without taking your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine
brakin g
on a slippery surface. The drive
wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle could
skid, causing a collision or personal injury.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) (for
versions/markets, where
provided)
This feature provides on-demand All-Wheel Drive
(AWD). The system is automatic with no driver inputs
or additional driving skills required. Under normal
driving conditions, the front wheels provide most of
the traction. If the front wheels begin to lose traction,
power is shifted automatically to the rear wheels. The
greater the front wheel traction loss, the greater the
power transfer to the rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will
be sent to the rear in a pre-emptive effort to improve
vehicle launch and performance characteristics.
All wheels must have the same size and
type tires. Unequal tire sizes must not be
used. Unequal tire size may cause failure
of the power transfer unit .
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DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
ACCELERATION
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other
slippery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces
is dan gerous
. Unequal traction can
cause sudden pulling of the front wheels. You
could lose control of the vehicle and possibly
have a collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet , mud, loose sand, etc .). TRACTION
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for
a wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first become visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in
a sudden stop.
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TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS (MAXIMUM
TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer
weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal AreaMax. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.) (5 and 7 Passenger Model Max.Trailer Tongue
Weight ♦(5 and 7
Passenger Model)
2.4L/Automatic 2.0 sq m454 kg25 kg
3.6L/Automatic 3.7 sq m1,100 kg 55 kg
2.0L Diesel/Manual 3.7 sq m1,250 kg 62 kg
2.0L Diesel/Automatic 3.7 sq m1,100 kg 44 kg
When towing a trailer the technically permissible laden weight may be exceeded by not more than 10% or 100 kg,
whichever is lower provided that the operating speed is restricted to 100 km/h or less.
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds
♦ The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo and it should
never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
TRAILER AND TONGUE WEIGHT
Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the rear
can cause the trailer to sway severelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and
trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the
cause of many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped
on your trailer hitch. Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
• The tongue weight of the trailer.
• The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
• The weight of the driver and all passengers.
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WARNING! (Continued)
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade.When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Always, block or "chock" the
trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
• Total weight must be distributed between
the tow vehicle and the trailer such that the
following four ratings are not exceeded:1.
GVWR 2. GTW 3. GAWR 4.Tongue weight rating
for the trailer hitch utilized.
Towing Requirements — Tires
• Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a com- pact spare tire.
• Proper tire inflation pressures are essential for the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer
to “Tires – General Information” in “Technical Speci-
fications” for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres- sures before trailer usage.
• Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Technical Specifications” for the
proper tire inspection procedures. • When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Technical Specifications” for proper
tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase the
vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
•Do notinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the
trailer. This could cause inadequate braking and pos-
sible personal injury.
• When towing a trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic brake
controller is not required.
• Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 450 kg and required for trailers in excess of 750 kg.
If the trailer weighs more than 450 kg
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and
they should be of adequate capacity. Fail-
ure to do this could lead to accelerated brake
lining wear, higher brake pedal effort , and longer
stopping distances.
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RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
Towing
Condition Wheels OFF
the Ground FWD MODELS MANUAL
TRANSMISSION FWD MODELS
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION AWD MODELS
Flat Tow NONE • Transmission in NEUTRAL
• Ignition in ACC or ON/RUN
position NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
Front OK OK NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK OK OK
NOTE: When recreationally towing your vehicle, al-
ways follow applicable state and provincial laws. Con-
tact state and provincial Highway Safety offices for
additional details.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Models
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the
ground, or using a towing dolly) is NOT ALLOWED.
The only acceptable method for towing this vehicle
(behind another vehicle) is on a vehicle trailer with all
four wheels OFF the ground.Towing this vehicle with ANYof its
wheels on the ground can cause severe
transmission and/or power transfer unit
damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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