Page 5 of 590

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers ............ 466
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................... 467
If you think something is  wrong ................................ 474
Fuel pump shut off  system .............................. 475
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer 
sounds... ........................... 476
If you have a flat tire............ 486
If the engine will not start .... 501
If the shift lever cannot  be shifted from P (vehicles 
with an automatic 
transmission) .................... 502
If you lose your keys ........... 503
If the vehicle battery is  discharged ........................ 504
If your vehicle overheats ..... 508
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ................................. 511
If your vehicle has to  be stopped in 
an emergency ................... 513 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ...........  516
Fuel information..................  537
Tire information ..................  540
6-2. Customization Customizable features........  551
Items to initialize .................  552
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ................  554
Seat belt instructions  for Canadian owners 
(in French) ........................  555
SRS airbag instructions  for Canadian owners 
(in French) ........................  557
Camper information ............  567
Abbreviation list ........................  574
Alphabetical index ....................  576
What to do if... ...........................  585
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index 
     
        
        Page 125 of 590

125
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
When driving the vehicle
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( P. 134138)
● When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
● Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
● Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■ When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
● Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
● After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident. 
     
        
        Page 126 of 590

126 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When shifting the shift lever
On vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the shift
lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
■ When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P (automatic transmission only) or
N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause
an accident.
● Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
● On vehicles with an automatic transmission, in order to prevent accidents
due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the brake pedal
while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as necessary. 
● If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or  backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
● Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
■ When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighter, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the
vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following.
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter, spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and
plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may rupture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle’s electrical components. 
     
        
        Page 128 of 590

128 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift
lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire
due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly
ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leadin\
g to
death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one
side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking
brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or  sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. 
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
● The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: If one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Have your brakes fixed immediately. 
     
        
        Page 133 of 590
133
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■
Caution while driving
Do not turn the engine switch to the LOCK position.
If in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the engine switch only to the ACC position.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the engine switch in the ACC or ON position for long periods if
the engine is not running.
■ When starting the engine
●Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.
● Do not race a cold engine.
● If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately. 
     
        
        Page 147 of 590
147
2-2. Gauges and meters
2
When driving
NOTICE
■
To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
● The engine may be overheating if the engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely. (
P. 508) 
     
        
        Page 182 of 590

182 2-4. Using other driving systems
■When the rear differential is locked  (vehicles with the rear differential
lock system)
The active traction control system is activated only when the vehicle speed
is less than 3 mph (6 km/h).
■ Sounds and vibrations caused by the active traction control system
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indi-
cate that a malfunction has occurred in the system.
● Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering. It may
occur when the system is operating.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation, a buzzer will sound and A-TRAC indicator
blink to alert the driver. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem
with continuing normal driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
CAUTION
■The active traction control system m ay not operate effectively when 
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slip-
pery road surfaces, even if the active traction control system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost. 
     
        
        Page 184 of 590
184 2-4. Using other driving systems
■If the engine is turned off and restarted
The AUTO LSD system and the indicators are automatically turned off.
■ Reactivation of the VSC system linked to vehicle speed
When the AUTO LSD system is turned on, the VSC system will turn on auto-
matically if vehicle speed increases.
■ If the brake system overheats
The system will cease operation and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place. (There is no problem with continuing normal
driving.)
The system will be automatically restored after a short time.
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not use the AUTO LSD system in conditions other than the above.
A much greater steering effort and more careful cornering control will be
required.
● Do not drive with the AUTO LSD system continuously turned on.