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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 inflation 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 instrument
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 (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 103
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11. Unsnap and remove the black boot cover. This cover
should be discarded. It was intended as a protective
cover for shipping only.
NOTE:A visual instruction sheet is enclosed in the dual
top wrap.
12. Put up the soft top. Refer to “Soft Top — Putting Up
The Soft Top” in this section.
FREEDOM TOP™ THREE-PIECE MODULAR
HARD TOP — IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
•The hard top is not designed to carry any addi-
tional loads such as roof racks, spare tires, build-
ing, hunting, or camping supplies, and/or luggage,
etc. Also, it was not designed as a structural mem-
ber of the vehicle, and thus cannot properly carry
any additional loads other than environmental
(rain, snow, etc.).
•Do not move your vehicle until the top has been
either fully attached to the windshield frame and
body side, or fully removed.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 203
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SOFT TOP — TWO-DOOR MODELS
Please visit the owners manual on your DVD for
instructional videos.
CAUTION!
The soft top is not designed to carry any additional
loads such as roof racks, spare tires, building, hunt-
ing, or camping supplies, and/or luggage, etc. Also, it
was not designed as a structural member of the
vehicle and, thus, cannot properly carry any addi-
tional loads other than environmental (rain, snow,
etc.).
If the temperature is below 72°F (24°C) and/or the top
has been folded down for a period of time, the top will
appear to have shrunk when you raise it, making it
difficult to put up. This is caused by a natural contraction
of the vinyl coating on the fabric top.
Place the vehicle in a warm area. Pull steadily on the top
fabric. The vinyl will stretch back to its original size and
the top can then be installed.If the temperature is 41°F
(5°C) or below, do not attempt to put the top down or
roll the rear or side curtains.
CAUTION!
•Do not run a fabric top through an automatic car
wash. Window scratches and wax build up may
result.
•Do not lower the top when the temperature is
below 41°F (5°C). Damage to the top may result.
•Do not move your vehicle until the top has been
either fully attached to the windshield frame, or
fully lowered.
•Do not lower the top with the windows installed.
Window and top damage may occur.
(Continued)
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 223
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Closing The Sunrider®
1. Remove the straps from the side bows.
2. Unclip and move the sun visors to the side.
3. Grasp the front header and pull it to the front of the
vehicle.
4. Hook the header latches to the loops on the wind-
shield frame, close latches, and return the sun visors to
their original positions.
5. Slide the plastic sleeve rearward over the Sunrider®
link.
SOFT TOP — FOUR-DOOR MODELS
Please visit the owners manual on your DVD for
instructional videos.
CAUTION!
The soft top is not designed to carry any additional
loads such as roof racks, spare tires, building, hunt-
ing, or camping supplies, and/or luggage, etc. Also, it
was not designed as a structural member of the
vehicle, and thus cannot properly carry any addi-
tional loads other than environmental (rain, snow,
etc.).
If the temperature is below 72°F (24°C) and/or the top
has been folded down for a period of time, the top will
appear to have shrunk when you raise it, making it
difficult to put up. This is caused by a natural contraction
of the vinyl coating on the fabric top.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 255
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26. Hill Decent Indicator
This indicator shows when the Hill Descent
Control (HDC) feature is turned on. The lamp
will be on solid when HDC is armed. HDC can
only be armed when the transfer case is in the
“4WD LOW” position and the vehicle speed is less then
30 mph (48 km/h). If these conditions are not met while
attempting to use the HDC feature, the HDC indicator
light will flash on/off.
27. Cruise Indicator
This indicator shows when the electronic speed
control system is turned on.
28. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
318 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................468
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .469
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............469
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............471
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............471
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................472
▫Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)..........476
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........477
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light................483
▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC)..............484
▫Hill Descent Control (HDC) — If Equipped . . .485
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............487
▫Tire Markings........................487
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........490
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........492
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........493
!TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........498
▫Tire Pressure........................498
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................500
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .501
▫Radial Ply Tires......................501
▫Tire Types...........................502
▫Run Flat Tires — If Equipped.............504
▫Spare Tires — If Equipped...............504
▫Tire Spinning........................507
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STARTING AND OPERATING 417
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•Temporary spare tires are designed for temporary
emergency use only. Temporary high pressure com-
pact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded into
the sidewall preceding the size designation. Example:
T145/80D18 103M.
•High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Example Size Designation: P215/65R15XL 95H, 215/65R15 96H, LT235/85R16C, T145/80D18 103M, 31x10.5 R15 LT
P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards, or
%....blank....%= Passenger car tire based on European design standards, or
LT= Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards, or
TorS= Temporary spare tire or
31= Overall diameter in inches (in)
215, 235, 145= Section width in millimeters (mm)
65, 85, 80= Aspect ratio in percent (%)
– Ratio of section height to section width of tire, or
10.5= Section width in inches (in)
488 STARTING AND OPERATING
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3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and
spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section
of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” 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 pas-
sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg.
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