NOTICE
If the system is operated too often in succession, it will shut itself off to help prevent overheat-ing.
x The feature can be used again as soon as the system has cooled down. In the meantime, the rear hatch can be opened or closed by hand, though this requires some strength.
x If the vehicle battery or the fuse is blown when the rear hatch is open, the rear hatch system must be reset. To reset the rear hatch, it must be closed once.
Make sure that the remote control vehicle key is not in the luggage compartment before closing the rear hatch.
Sensor-controlled rear hatch opener (Easy Open)
Fig. 33 Keyless Access locking and starting system: Opening the sensor-controlled rear hatch (Easy Open).
x If the rear bumper is very dirty.
x If the rear bumper has salty water on it after driving on salted roads.
x If a trailer hitch/ball mount has been installed on the vehicle.
Easy Open may be automatically deactivated in heavy rain to help prevent unintentional deployment caused by water running down the vehicle, for example.
WARNING
Careless use of the Easy Open feature can cause falls and serious personal injury
x Always make sure you have firm footing when using the Easy Open feature, and that the surface you are standing on is not uneven or slippery.
x Always remember that it will be necessary for you to move backwards to let the rear hatch open. Be careful not to lose your balance, particularly when holding things in your hands.
x Never use Easy Open feature unless you can use it safely.
CAUTION
If a valid vehicle key is within range of the rear hatch, the Easy Open feature can deploy unin-tentionally in some cases and open the rear hatch: for example, when sweeping the ground or floor below the rear bumper, if there is a strong stream of water or steam or when carrying out maintenance or repairs around the rear bumper. If the rear hatch opens unintentionally, it can injure anyone or damage anything in its way.
x Never leave a valid vehicle key within range of the rear hatch unattended.
WARNING
Inadequate experience and knowledge of the demands of off-road driving can lead to critical situations and cause serious personal injury.
x Never take routes or risks that could put you or your passengers in danger. If you cannot go on, or have doubts about the safety of your route, turn back and take a new route.
x The intelligent technology of the vehicle cannot change the laws of physics. Despite the ABS, adverse terrain can cause instability through blocked wheels – for example, if you brake hard when driving on a loose gravel road. Difficult terrain may also prevent the ESC from doing its job.
x Never operate the vehicle at the limit of its performance ability. Always leave a good safety margin.
x To reduce the risk of loss of control and serious personal injury, never use the cruise control when driving off-road.
x Even terrain that looks easy can be difficult and dangerous, putting you and your passen-gers in a critical situation. It is often best to check an area out on foot first.
x Drive with special care and think ahead in off-road terrain. If you drive too fast, or fail to maneuver the vehicle properly, you could cause personal injury and damage the vehicle.
x Never drive faster than is appropriate for the prevailing terrain and the road, traffic, and weather conditions.
x Never drive too fast across embankments, ramps, or slopes. The vehicle could become airborne. If that happens, you will not be able to steer and can lose control.
x If your vehicle becomes airborne, always keep the front wheels pointing straight ahead. If the wheels are not pointing straight ahead when the vehicle lands, it could roll over.
x Never allow people to stand in front of or behind the vehicle if you have put items such as stones or pieces of wood under the wheels to improve traction on slippery ground. Spinning wheels can turn these items into dangerous flying objects causing serious personal injury.
x Even areas that look harmless can be dangerous. Potholes, ditches, trenches, drop-offs, different kinds of obstacles, and soft or swampy ground often cannot be seen and can be partially or fully covered by water, grass, branches, or other things. Driving over such terrain can cause accidents and severe injuries. Before crossing an unknown area, carefully explore the route you plan to take on foot.
WARNING
Never drive off-road if you are low on fuel. Too little fuel in the tank can cause an accident and serious injuries. You can also run out of fuel in a remote area where getting help is diffi-cult or impossible.
x When the fuel tank is almost empty, fuel supply to the engine can be interrupted, especial-ly when driving over bumps, across slopes, and up and down hills. The interruption in fuel flow could stall the engine during a maneuver in difficult terrain and make you lose control of the vehicle.
x Steering and braking assistance as well as ESC and related systems will not work if the engine “sputters” or stalls due to lack of fuel. This can cause loss of vehicle control, espe-cially in difficult terrain.
x Always refuel when the tank is 1/4 full to reduce the risk of running out of fuel.
NOTICE
If the power sunroof or the windows are open when it rains or snows, the interior of the vehicle will get wet and the vehicle may be damaged. Always keep the windows and the power sunroof closed when driving off-road.
