Driving your vehicle
4
5
E030100AHM
Illuminated ignition switch
Whenever a front door is opened, the
ignition switch will illuminate for your con-
venience, provided the ignition switch is
not in the ON position. The light will go off
immediately when the ignition switch is
turned on. It will also go off after about 30seconds when the door is closed. Ignition switch position
E030201AUN
LOCK
The steering wheel locks to protect
against theft. The ignition key can be
removed only in the LOCK position.
When turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, push the key inward at
the ACC position and turn the key towardthe LOCK position.
OEN056001OUN036002
WARNING
When you intend to park or stop the vehicle with the engine on, be careful not to depress the accel-
erator pedal for a long period of
time. It may overheat the engine
or exhaust system and cause fire.
When you make a sudden stop or turn the steering wheel rapidly,
loose objects may drop on the
floor and it could interfere with
the operation of the foot pedals,
possibly causing an accident.
Keep all things in the vehicle
safely stored.
If you do not focus on driving, it may cause an accident. Be care-
ful when operating what may dis-
turb driving such as audio or
heater. It is the responsibility of
the driver to always drive safely.
KEY POSITIONS (IF EQUIPPED)
513
Driving your vehicle
For smooth operation, depress the brakepedal when shifting from N (Neutral) to aforward or reverse gear.E060101BHM
Transmission ranges
The indicator in the instrument cluster
displays the shift lever position when the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop before
shifting into P (Park). This position locks
the transmission and prevents the drivewheels from rotating.
WARNING - Automatic
transmission
Always check the surrounding areas near your vehicle for peo-
ple, especially children, before
shifting the shift lever into D
(Drive) or R (Reverse).
Before leaving the driver’s seat, always make sure the shift lever
is in the P (Park) position; then
set the parking brake fully and
shut the engine off. Unexpected
and sudden vehicle movementcan occur if these precautions
are not followed in the order iden-tified.
Do not use the engine brake (shifting from a high gear to
lower gear) rapidly on slippery
roads.
The vehicle may slip causing an accident.
CAUTION
To avoid damage to your trans-
mission, do not accelerate the
engine in R (Reverse) or any for-ward gear position with thebrakes on.
When stopped on an incline, do not hold the vehicle with theengine power. Use the servicebrake or the parking brake.
Do not shift from N (Neutral) or P (Park) into D (Drive), or R
(Reverse) when the engine isabove idle speed.
WARNING
Shifting into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion will cause the
drive wheels to lock which will
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle.
Do not use the P (Park) position in place of the parking brake.
Always make sure the shift lever
is latched in the P (Park) position
and set the parking brake fully.
Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.
Driving your vehicle
16
5
Ignition key interlock system
(if equipped)
The ignition key cannot be removed
unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
position. If the ignition switch is in any
other position, the key cannot be
removed. E060200AHM Good driving practices
Never move the shift lever from P
(Park) or N (Neutral) to any other posi-
tion with the accelerator pedaldepressed.
Never move the shift lever into P (Park) when the vehicle is in motion.
Be sure the vehicle is completely stopped before you attempt to shift into
R (Reverse) or D (Drive).
Never take the vehicle out of gear and coast down a hill. This may be
extremely hazardous. Always leave the
vehicle in gear when moving.
Do not "ride" the brakes. This can cause them to overheat and malfunc-
tion. Instead, when you are driving
down a long hill, shift to a lower gear.
When you do this, engine braking will
help slow down the vehicle.
Slow down before shifting to a lower gear. Otherwise, the lower gear maynot be engaged. Always use the parking brake. Do not
depend on placing the transmission in P
(Park) to keep the vehicle from moving.
Exercise extreme caution when driving on a slippery surface. Be especially
careful when braking, accelerating or
shifting gears. On a slippery surface,
an abrupt change in vehicle speed can
cause the drive wheels to lose traction
and the vehicle to go out of control.
Optimum vehicle performance and economy is obtained by smoothly
depressing and releasing the accelera-tor pedal.
Driving your vehicle
18
5
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED)
E170000AHM
Engine power can be delivered to all front
and rear wheels for maximum traction.
4WD is useful when extra traction is
required on road, such as, when driving
on slippery, muddy, wet, or snow-covered
roads. These vehicles are not designed
for challenging off-road use. Occasional
off-road use such as established
unpaved roads and trails are OK. It is
always important when traveling off-high-
way that the driver carefully reduces the
speed to a level that does not exceed the
safe operating speed for those condi-
tions. In general, off-road conditions pro-
vide less traction and braking effective-
ness than normal road conditions. The
driver must be especially alert to avoid
driving on slopes which tilt the vehicle to
either side.
These factors must be carefully consid-
ered when driving off-road. Keeping the
vehicle in contact with the driving surfaceand under control in these conditions is
always the driver's responsibility for the
safety of him/herself and his or her pas-
sengers. E170201AHM
Tight corner brake effect
Tight corner brake effect is a unique
characteristic of four-wheel drive vehicles
caused by the difference in tire rotation at
the four wheels and the zero-degreealignment of the front wheels and sus-pension.
Sharp turns at low speeds should be car-
ried out with caution.
WARNING
- Off road driving
This vehicle is designed primarily
for on road use although it can oper-
ate effectively off road. However, it
was not designed to drive in chal-
lenging off-road conditions. Driving
in conditions that exceed the vehi-
cle's intended design or the driver's
experience level may result in
severe injury or death.
CAUTION - 4WD
When turning sharply on a paved
road at low speed while in four-wheel drive (4L mode for full-time 4WD operation or 4L/4H mode for
part-time 4WD operation), steering control will be difficult.
CAUTION
Do not select four wheel drive on flat and normal roads.
Four-wheel driving on flat roads for a long period causes poor fueleconomy and noise and it alsocauses tires to wear faster.
Four-wheel driving on flat and normal roads can result in asevere binding and chatteringcondition when turning the steer- ing wheel.
Four-wheel driving on flat roads for a long period can also causethe differential oil temperature to increase, resulting in damage toparts in the power train.
519
Driving your vehicle
Transfer mode Shift knob Indicator light Description
This mode is used when driving on normal roads and highway.
This mode is used when driving on slippery roads such as
snowy and rainy roads at normal speed.
Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)This mode is used when increased traction is required, such as
climbing or descending hills, driving off-roads, and towing a
vehicle.
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
44 WW DD
H
H II
4WD
HI
4WD
LOW
44 WW DD
L
L OO WW2H
(Rear-wheel drive)
4H
(High-speed
4-wheel drive)
4L
(Low-speed
4-wheel drive) (not illuminated)
✽✽
NOTICE
4WD transfer has a time delay for a few seconds until the actual shift is made after turning the transfe r shift knob.
When the 4WD transfer mode is shifted, it may cause mechanical noise. It is not a mechanical failur e but a normal condition.
E170800AHM
Part-Time 4WD (if equipped)
CAUTION
When you stop the vehicle to transfer the shift knob, wait until the corresponding indicator light turns on or off to
depart. If the vehicle moves before the transfer is completed, the vehicle may be damaged.
(illuminated)
(illuminated)
Driving your vehicle
20
5
E170802AHM
Part-time 4WD knob operation
2H ↔↔
4H
Turn the transfer knob from the 2H mode to 4H mode or 4H mode to 2H mode at
the speed below 80 km/h (50 mph). It is
not necessary to put the shift lever into
the N (Neutral) position. Perform this
operation when driving straight. There
will be a few seconds of time delay
before shifting into the desired mode.
If the weather is extremely cold (-15°C
/5°F) and the engine is not heated, trans-
fer from 2H mode to 4H mode when the
vehicle is stopped or at low speed. 4H
↔
↔
4L
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Put the shift lever into the N (Neutral) position.
3. Turn the transfer knob to the 4H or 4L position.
4. Before shifting to other ranges from the N (Neutral) position, wait for the
corresponding indicator light to turn on
or off in the cluster.
✽✽ NOTICE
If the mode is not shifted like the previ-
ous instructions, it will not transfer into
the selected mode and the correspon-
ding indicator light will continuously
blink.
OHM058010NOHM058011
CAUTION - 4WD
Always check the 4WD shift knob
and cluster to see if the system
has been activated unintentional- ly.
Do not speed over 80 km/h (50 mph) in the 4H mode and 40 km/h
(25 mph) in the 4L mode.
521
Driving your vehicle
Transfer mode Shift knob Indicator light Description
This mode is used when driving on normal roads and highway.
The engine power is distributed to all four wheels automatical-
ly without the driver's intervention in accordance with the road
conditions and driving conditions.
This mode is used when driving on slippery roads, such as
snowy and rainy roads at normal speed.
Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)This mode is used when ncreased traction is required, such as
climbing or descending hills, driving off-roads, and towing a
vehicle.
Maximum speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)44 WW DD
H
H II
4WD
HI
4WD
LOW
44 WW DD
L
L OO WWAUTO
(Automatic
4-wheel drive)
4H
(High-speed
4-wheel drive)
4L
(Low-speed
4-wheel drive) (not illuminated)
✽✽
NOTICE
4WD transfer has a time delay for a few seconds until the actual shift is made after turning the transfe r shift knob.
When the 4WD transfer mode is shifted, it may cause mechanical noise. It is not a mechanical failur e but a normal condition.
E170900AHM Full-Time 4WD Operation (if equipped)
CAUTION
When you stop the vehicle to transfer the shift knob, wait until the corresponding indicator light turns on or off to
depart. If the vehicle moves before the transfer is completed, the vehicle may be damaged.
(illuminated)
(illuminated)
Driving your vehicle
22
5
E170902AHM
Full-time 4WD knob operation
AUTO ↔↔
4H
Turn the transfer knob from the AUTO
mode to 4H mode or 4H mode to AUTO
mode at the speed below 80 km/h (50
mph). It is not necessary to put the shift
lever into the N (Neutral) position.
Perform this operation when driving
straight. There will be a few seconds of
time delay before shifting into the desired
mode.
If the weather is extremely cold (- 15°C/5°F) and the engine is not heated,
transfer from AUTO mode to 4H mode
when the vehicle is stopped or at lowspeed. 4H
↔
↔
4L
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Put the shift lever into the N (Neutral) position.
3. Turn the transfer knob to the 4H or 4L position.
4. Before shifting to other ranges from the N (Neutral) position, wait for the
corresponding indicator light to turn on
or off in the cluster.
✽✽ NOTICE
If the mode is not shifted like the previ-
ous instructions, it will not transfer into
the selected mode and the correspon-
ding indicator light will continuously
blink.
OHM058012NOHM058013L
CAUTION - 4WD
Always check the 4WD shift knob
and cluster to see if the systemhas been activated unintentional-
ly.
Do not speed over 80 km/h (50 mph) in the 4H mode and 40 km/h(25 mph) in the 4L mode.