
Zone coverage also decreases when
parking at shallow angles. Here, the left
sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage
on that side is severely limited.
System Lights and Messages
The Blind Spot Information and cross
traffic alert systems illuminate a yellow
alert indicator in the outside mirror on the
side of your vehicle the approaching
vehicle is coming from. In addition, the
yellow alert indicator will flash if the
direction indicator is ON while a Blind Spot
Warning System alert is active.
Note:
The alert indicator dims when the
system detects nighttime darkness.
Cross traffic alert also sounds a series of
tones and a message appears in the
information display indicating a vehicle is
coming from the right or left. Cross traffic
alert works with the reverse sensing
system that sounds its own series of tones.
See Parking Aid (page 147). System Sensors WARNING
Just prior to the system recognizing
a blocked condition and alerting the
driver, the number of missed objects
will increase. To help avoid injuries, NEVER
use the Blind Spot Information System as
a replacement for using the side and rear
view mirrors and looking over your shoulder
before changing lanes. The Blind Spot
Information System is not a replacement
for careful driving. Note:
It is possible to get a blockage
warning with no blockage present; this is
rare and known as a false blockage warning.
A false blocked condition either
self-corrects or clears after a key cycle. The system uses radar sensors which are
located behind the bumper fascia on each
side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud,
snow or bumper stickers to obstruct these
areas, this can cause degraded system
performance.
If the system detects a degraded
performance condition, a message warning
of a blocked sensor or low visibility will
appear in the information display along
with a warning indicator. You can clear the
information display warning but the
warning indicator will remain illuminated.
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Adaptive Learning
The electronic power steering system
adaptive learning helps correct road
irregularities and improves overall handling
and steering feel. It communicates with
the brake system to help operate
advanced stability control and accident
avoidance systems. Additionally, whenever
the battery is disconnected or a new
battery installed, you must drive your
vehicle a short distance before the system
relearns the strategy and reactivates all
systems.
COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM
(If Equipped)
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
This system is designed to be a
supplementary driving aid. It is not
intended to replace the driver
’s
attention, and judgment, or the need to
apply the brakes. This system does NOT
activate the brakes automatically. Failure
to press the brake pedal to activate the
brakes may result in a collision. The collision warning system with
brake support cannot help prevent
all collisions. Do not rely on this
system to replace driver judgment and the
need to maintain distance and speed. Note:
The system does not detect, warn or
respond to potential collisions with vehicles
to the rear or sides of the vehicle.
Note: The collision warning system is active
at speeds above approximately 5 mph
(8 km/h). This system is designed to alert the driver
of certain collision risks. A radar detects if
your vehicle is rapidly approaching another
vehicle traveling in the same direction as
yours.
If it is, a red warning light illuminates and
an audible warning chime sounds.
The brake support system assists the driver
in reducing the collision speed by charging
the brakes. If the risk of collision further
increases after the warning light
illuminates, the brake support prepares
the brake system for rapid braking. This
may be apparent to the driver. The system
does not automatically activate the brakes
but, if the brake pedal is pressed, full force
braking is applied even if the brake pedal
is lightly pressed.
Using the Collision Warning System
WARNING
The collision warning system
’s brake
support can only help reduce the
speed at which a collision occurs if
the driver applies the vehicle ’s brakes. The
brake pedal must be pressed just like any
typical braking situation. The warning system sensitivity can be
adjusted to one of three possible settings
by using the information display control.
See
General Information (page 83).
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•
Track – Provides a performance driving
experience. The engine responds
directly to your inputs and takes on a
more powerful tone. Track mode is for
use when pure performance is desired.
A performance oriented AdvanceTrac
mode is automatically utilized when
Track drive mode is selected. In this
mode, AdvanceTrac intervention is
reduced and tuned specifically for track
usage only and is not intended for
public roads. See Using Stability
Control (page 144).
• Snow/Wet - Provides a confident
handling driving experience during poor
weather. This mode provides an
confident drive experience and a direct
connection to the road without
sacrificing any of the composure
demanded from your vehicle.
Note: Selectable driving modes has
diagnostic checks that continuously monitor
the system to ensure proper operation.
Certain selectable drive modes will not be
available based on gear shifter position (for
example, Snow/Wet is not available while
in sport (S) position). If a selected mode is
unavailable due to a system fault or change
in gear shifter position, the selected mode
will default to Normal.
Selectable Steering
Note: The steering setting defaults to
Normal if the battery is disconnected or
removed. To change the steering feel,
toggle the switch on the
instrument panel. The first press
illuminates the selected mode, subsequent
presses will change the selected mode. Modes:
•
Normal - Default factory setting.
• Sport - Slightly higher effort required
for steering with more road force felt
through the steering wheel.
• Comfort - Slightly less effort required
for steering with less road force felt
through the steering wheel.
After selecting the desired setting, you may
feel a soft feedback bump in the steering
wheel when the changeover occurs.
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with the
selectable drive modes feature, the steering
feel will change when you select a new drive
mode. You can override this automatic
selection by pressing the steering
button/switch.
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label. Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of your vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and personal
injury. Note:
There may be electrical
items such as fuses or relays that
can affect trailer towing operation.
See Fuses (page 202).
The load capacity of your vehicle
is designated by weight not
volume. You may not necessarily
be able to use all available space
when loading your vehicle or
trailer.
Towing a trailer places extra load
on the engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires, and suspension.
Inspect these components before,
during and after towing. Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects the vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items in the
center of the left and right side
trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a tow bar with the
correct rise or drop. When both
the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward the
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in the Load Carrying
chapter. See
Load Limit (page
168). You can also find the
information in the RV & Trailer
Towing Guide, available at an
authorized dealer.
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load in the Load Carrying chapter. See
Load Limit (page 168).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground. Trailer Brakes WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle
may not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a collision greatly
increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in proper trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required. Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, direction indicators and hazard lights
are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
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To close the convertible top:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop
and make sure you switch the ignition
on. We recommend that the vehicle
remains running when you open the
top to prevent draining the battery.
2. Press and hold the convertible top control. When the convertible latch
handle is within reach, make sure it is
down and that you rotate it clockwise
so the latch is in the fully opened
position. Continue pressing the
convertible top control until the
windows lower completely, and the
top unfolds and moves forward toward
the windshield header.
3. When the top lines up evenly with the windshield header, release the
convertible top control. The final step when closing the convertible
top is to lock the latch.
To lock the latch on the convertible top:
1. Pull down on the latch handle and
rotate it counter-clockwise to secure
the convertible top.
2. After securing the convertible top fully,
push the latch handle up into the
stowed position to secure the latch. Note:
If you keep the top open for an
extended period of time or if the
temperature is low, the top material may
shrink slightly. If this happens, pull on the
latch handle to secure the top.
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BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 miles (480
kilometers). During this time, your vehicle
may exhibit some unusual driving
characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000
miles (1600 kilometers). Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.
Do not tow during the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several things
such as how you drive, the conditions you
drive under and how you maintain your
vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind that
may improve your fuel economy:
•
Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving.
•When running errands, go to the
furthest destination first and then
work your way back home.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds. (Traveling
at 65 mph/105 kph uses about 15%
less fuel than traveling at 75 mph/121
kph).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size. •
Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.
There are also some things you may want
to avoid doing because they reduce your
fuel economy:
• Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
• Avoid revving the engine before turning
off the car.
• Avoid long idle periods.
• Do not warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
• Reduce the use of air conditioning and
heat.
• Avoid using speed control in hilly
terrain.
• Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4
kilometers/liter] is lost for every 400
lbs [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
• Avoid adding particular accessories to
your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski
racks).
• Avoid driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deep
water as you may lose control of your
vehicle.
Note:
Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
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Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the front
rocker area of your vehicle.
When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so:
•
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that are
designed to fit the foot well of your
vehicle. Only use floor mats that
leave the pedal area unobstructed. Only
use floor mats that are firmly secured to
retention posts so that they cannot slip out
of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in
other ways. Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal
injury. WARNINGS
Always make sure that the floor
mats are properly attached to the
retention posts in the carpet that are
supplied with your vehicle. Floor mats must
be properly secured to both retention posts
to make sure mats do not shift out of
position. Never place floor mats or any other
covering in the vehicle foot well that
cannot be properly secured to
prevent them from moving and interfering
with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle. Never place floor mats or any other
covering on top of already installed
floor mats. Floor mats should always
rest on top of vehicle carpeting surface and
not another floor mat or other covering.
Additional floor mats or any other covering
will reduce the pedal clearance and
potentially interfere with pedal operation. Check attachment of floor mats on
a regular basis. Always properly
reinstall and secure floor mats that
have been removed for cleaning or
replacement. Always make sure that objects
cannot fall into the driver foot well
while the vehicle is moving. Objects
that are loose can become trapped under
the pedals causing a loss of vehicle control. Failure to properly follow floor mat
installation or attachment
instructions can potentially cause
interference with pedal operation causing
a loss of vehicle control. 189
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