
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience Items uInterior Convenience Items
152
Controls
The cargo area cover may be removed to give you more cargo room.
■To remove the cargo area cover
1.Open the tailgate.
2. Remove the strap on each side of the
tailgate.
3. Disengage the support rods, then remove
the cargo area cover.
Reverse this procedure to install the cargo
area cover.
After reinstalling the cargo area cover, make
sure it is latched securely.
■Cargo Area Cover*1 Cargo Area Cover*
Do not place items on the cargo area cover, or stack
objects higher than the top of the back seat. They
could block your view and be thrown about the
vehicle during a crush or sudden stop.
Do not apply excessive pressure to the cover, such as
leaning on it to retrieve an item.
* Not available on all models
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302
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
• Make sure there are no obstructions on th e windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid , remove ice once it has softened.
u When removing ice from around the wheel s, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
u Check air pressure, check for damage and excessive wear.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 384
•Make sure there are no people or ob jects behind or around the vehicle.
u There are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen s hut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert the key if the water
freezes in the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable material s left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you've parked y our vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal. Also check under the hood for leftover
flammable materials after you or someone else has
performed maintenance on your vehicle.
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Continued303
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, sto pping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2Maximum Load Limit P. 305
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
u They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat
*.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can in terfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
u They may interfere with driv ing and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock al l doors and the tailgate.
2Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 99
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2Adjusting the Seats P. 133
2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 135
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wh eel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 131
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 130
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. Howeve r, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area, have the aiming
readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified technician.
* Not available on all models
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311Continued
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine
1.Make sure the parkin g 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.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(N. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
u The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Models without smart entry system
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art 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, heating and
cooling
* system, and rear defo gger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Cons ult a dealer for details.
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.
Brake PedalAutomatic transmission (CVT) models
Brake Pedal
Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models
* Not available on all models
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313
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Continued
Driving
Starting the Engine
1. Make sure the parkin g 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.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(N. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
u The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Models with smart entry system
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to st art 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, heating and
cooling system/climate c ontrol system, and rear
defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Cons ult a dealer for details.
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.
The immobilizer system pr otects your vehicle from
theft.If an improperly c oded device is used, the
engine’s fuel system is disabled.
2 Immobilizer System P. 110
Brake PedalAutomatic transmission (CVT) models
Brake Pedal
Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models
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uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission (CVT)*
318
Driving
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
Automatic Transmission (CVT)*
The engine runs at a higher id le speed and creeping increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unex pectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especi ally on slippery roads and curves.
■Other Precautions
■Creeping
■Kickdown
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
The following can dama ge the under spoiler:•Parking the vehicle by a parking block
•Parallel parking along the road shoulder
•Driving towards the bottom of a hill•Driving up or down to a different surface level
(such as a road shoulder)
•Driving on a rutted or bumpy road•Driving on a road with potholes.
* Not available on all models
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367
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Maintenance
5. Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
6. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
u If it is stuck, you must detach it.
7. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the
contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
u Apply a light coat of new engine oil to
the oil filter gasket.
8. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt.
u Tightening torque:
29 lbf∙ft (39 N∙m, 4.0 kgf∙m)
9. Pour the recommended engine oil into the
engine.
u Engine oil change capacity (including
filter):
3.5 US qt (3.3 L)
10. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely and
start the engine.
11. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
12. Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
u If necessary, add more engine oil.1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.
When installing the new oil filter, follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The
low oil pressure indicator should go off within five
seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and check
your work.
Oil Filter
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406
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
Handling the Unexpected
1. Open the cargo area floor lid.
2. Take the tool case out of the cargo area.
Take the wheel nut wrench, jack handle bar
and jack out of the tool case.
3. Unscrew the wing bolt, and remove the
spacer cone. Then, remove the spare tire.
4. Place a wheel block or ro ck in front and rear
of the wheel diagonal to the flat tire.
■Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire
Floor Lid
Tool Case Jack
Spare Tire
Wheel
Blocks
The tire to be replaced.
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