
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 187).
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, turn signals and hazard lights are
working.
200
MKS (), enUSA Towing

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. 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. WARNINGS
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. 205
MKS (), enUSA Driving HintsE176360

Trade number
Function
D3S
* Headlamp (high intensity discharge) Low and High
LED
* Sidemarker - front
LED
* Park lamp - front
7444NA
* Turn lamp - front
LED
Signal indicator mirror lamp
LED
Approach lamp
LED
* Tail and brake lamp
LED
* Turn lamp - rear
LED
* Backup lamp
W5W
License plate lamp
LED
* High-mount brake lamp
W5W
Interior lamps
* To replace these lamps, see an authorized dealer.
To replace instrument panel lights, see an authorized dealer.
254
MKS (), enUSA Maintenance

Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure. Windshield washer fluid level. Check every six months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
394
MKS (), enUSA Scheduled Maintenance

Using Stability Control....................................152
AdvanceTrac® .......................................................... 152
Using Traction Control....................................150 Switching the System Off Using a
Switch..................................................................... 150
Switching the System Off Using the Information Display Controls......................... 150
System Indicator Lights and Messages..........150
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only).................................................215
V
Vehicle Care
........................................................257
General Information............................................... 257
Vehicle Certification Label
............................292
Vehicle Identification Number......................291
Vehicle Storage
.................................................262
Battery........................................................................\
. 263
Body........................................................................\
..... 262
Brakes........................................................................\
.. 263
Cooling system........................................................ 262
Engine........................................................................\
.. 262
Fuel system............................................................... 262
General....................................................................... 262
Miscellaneous.......................................................... 263
Removing Vehicle From Storage....................... 263
Tires........................................................................\
...... 263
Ventilation See: Climate Control.............................................. 105
VIN See: Vehicle Identification Number.................. 291Voice Control
........................................................66
W
Warning Lamps and Indicators.....................84 Adaptive Cruise Control.......................................... 84
Anti-Lock Braking System..................................... 84
Battery........................................................................\
... 84
Brake System.............................................................. 84
Cruise Control............................................................. 84
Direction Indicator.................................................... 84
Door Ajar....................................................................... 84
Engine Coolant Temperature............................... 85
Engine Oil..................................................................... 85
Fasten Safety Belt..................................................... 85
Front Airbag................................................................. 85
Front Fog Lamps....................................................... 85
Grade Assist................................................................ 85
Heads Up Display...................................................... 85
High Beam................................................................... 85
Low Fuel Level............................................................ 85
Low Tire Pressure Warning.................................... 85
Low Washer Fluid...................................................... 85
Parking Lamps........................................................... 86
Powertrain Fault........................................................ 86
Service Engine Soon................................................ 86
Stability Control......................................................... 86
Stability Control Off................................................. 86
Washer Fluid Check
.........................................248
Washers See: Cleaning the Exterior.................................... 257
See: Wipers and Washers...................................... 69Waxing
..................................................................
258
Wheel Nuts See: Changing a Road Wheel............................. 283
Wheels and Tires.............................................264 Technical Specifications...................................... 288
Windows and Mirrors.........................................78
Windshield Washers
..........................................70
Windshield Wipers.............................................69
Wipers and Washers.........................................69
421
MKS (), enUSA Index