Page 56 of 130

Parking The Vehicle
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without fully applying the park-
ing brake. The parking brake should always be
applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
To ensure proper parking performance, it is essential to
engage MANUAL (1st) gear, DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R)
gear while your foot is on the brake pedal. Once
MANUAL (1st) gear, DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R) gear is
displayed in the EVIC, turn the engine off and engage the
parking brake. It is essential to wait until the gear
engaged appears in the display before turning the engine
off and releasing the brake pedal. Always remember to
set your parking brake. NOTE:
NEVER leave your vehicle with the gearbox in
NEUTRAL (N) without the parking brake engaged. Al-
ways remember to fully apply your parking brake.
Always remember to set the parking brake when the “Set
Park Brake” message is displayed.
General Warnings
• With the vehicle at a standstill and a gear engaged,
keep the brake pedal pressed until you decide to drive
away. Then release the brake and accelerate gradually.
• When parked for long periods with the engine run-
ning, it is advisable to place the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N) and apply the parking brake.
• To avoid accelerated clutch wear, do not use the
accelerator to keep the vehicle at a standstill (for
54 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 57 of 130

example, holding on a hill); the clutch could be dam-
aged by overheating. Use the brake pedal instead and
operate the accelerator only when you are ready to
drive away.
• Only launch (from a stop) in second gear when you
need more control on surfaces with low traction.
• Only shift between DRIVE (D) and REVERSE (R) gears
when the vehicle has come to a stop and the brake
pedal is pressed.
• Although very inadvisable, if the vehicle is unexpect-
edly allowed to roll downhill with the gearbox in
NEUTRAL (N) the system will automatically engage
the gear best suited to vehicle speed when a gear shift
is requested to allow drive to be correctly transmitted
to the wheels. •
If necessary, with the engine off, it is possible to engage
1st, REVERSE (R) or NEUTRAL (N) with the key in
ON/RUN/MAR position and the brake pressed.
• During hill starts, accelerate immediately after releas-
ing the parking brake or brake pedal to allow the
engine to increase its rpm to a greater extent and
overcome higher gradients with more torque.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 55
Page 81 of 130

Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance
Schedule.” Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals. When towing a trailer,
never exceed the GAWR or GCWR ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as
possible:
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have a collision.
• When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. For four-wheel drive vehicles,
make sure the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL.
Always, block or chockthe trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 79