330
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA® activates, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic system. You will also see the
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
The VSA ® may not function properl y if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stab ility Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA® System Indicator
331
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To partically turn the VSA features on and off,
press and hold it until you hear a beep.
The traction control stop s fully functioning,
allows the wheels to sp in more freely at low
speed. The VSA ® OFF indicator will also come
on.
To turn it on again, press the (VSA ® OFF )
button until you hear a beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® OFF Button1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
With the button pressed, your vehicle will have
normal braking and corn ering ability, but VSA®
traction and stability enhancement becomes less
effective.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the button is pressed, the traction control
function becomes less effective. This allows for the
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. You should
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA ® off if
you are not able to free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® system switched off.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator
334
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Instead of directly measuring the pressu re in each tire, the TPMS on this vehicle
monitors and compares the rolling radius and rotational characteristics of each
wheel and tire while you are driving to determine if one or more tires are
significantly under-inflated. This will caus e the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to
come on.
You must start TPMS calibration every time you:
• Adjust the pressure in one or more tires.
• Rotate the tires.
• Replace one or more tires.
Before calibrating the TPMS:
• Set the cold tire pressu re in all four tires.
2Checking Tires P. 382
Make sure:
• The vehicle is at a complete stop.
• The shift lever is in
(N.
• The shift lever is in
(P.
• The ignition switch is in ON
(w*1.
*1 : Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
■TPMS Calibration
U.S. models only
1Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The system does not monitor the tires when driving
at low speed.
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly a ffect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to come on.
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
•Warm weather can beco me under-inflated in
colder weather.
•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator will not come
on as a result of over inflation.
The TPMS may not function pr operly if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire. 2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 382
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator may come on
with a delay or may not come on at all when:
•You rapidly accelerate, decelerate, or turn the
steering wheel.
•You drive on snowy or slippery roads.
•Snow chains are used.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator may come on
under the following conditions:
•A compact spare tire is used.•There is a heavier and uneve n load on the tires than
the condition at calibration.
•Snow chains are used.
Manual transmission models
Continuously variable transmission models
All models
335
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
Press and hold the TPM S button until the low
tire pressure/TPMS indicator blinks twice,
indicating the calibration process has begun.
• If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator does
not blink, confirm the above conditions
then press and hold the TPMS button again.
• The calibration process finishes
automatically.
*1 : Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
1TPMS Calibration
•TPMS cannot be calibrated if a compact spare tire is
installed.
•The calibration process requires approximately 30
minutes of cumulative dr iving at speeds between
30-60 mph (48-97 km/h).
•During this period, if the ignition is turned on*1 and
the vehicle is not move d within 45 seconds, you
may notice the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator
comes on briefly. This is normal and indicates that
the calibration process is not yet complete.
If the snow chains are installed, remove them before
calibrating the TPMS.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator comes on even
when the properly inflated specified regular tires are
installed, have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
We recommend that the tires be replaced with the
same brand, model, and size as the originals. Ask a
dealer for details.
TPMS Button
Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
339
uuBraking uBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at the front, and drum brakes in the rear
wheels. A vacuum power assist helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal.
The brake assist system increases the st opping force when you depress the brake
pedal hard in an emergency situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you
retain steering control wh en braking very hard.
2Brake Assist System P. 341
2 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 340
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous me tallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have your vehi cle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brak e pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pe dal and downshifting to a
lower gear/speed position. With manual transmission
use a lower gear for gr eater engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also conf use drivers behind you.
340
uuBraking uAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, an d helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distri bution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pe dal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”
■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes unde r 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■ABS1Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
NOTICE
The ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the ti me or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, yo ur vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:
•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow.
•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
351
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 352
Safety When Performing Maintenance .... 353Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 354
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 355
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 359Opening the Hood ........................... 360
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 361
Oil Check ......................................... 362
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 363
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter..... 364
Engine Coolant ................................ 366
Transmission Fluid ............................ 368
Brake Fluid ....................................... 369
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 370
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 371
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 378
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 382
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 383
Tire Labeling .................................... 383
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) ...... 385Wear Indicators................................ 387 Tire Service Life ................................ 387
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 388
Tire Rotation .................................... 389
Winter Tires ..................................... 390
Battery ............................................... 391
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Button Battery ........... 393
Heating and Cooling System
*/Climate
Control System* Maintenance ....... 395
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 396
Exterior Care.................................... 398
* Not available on all models
357
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items
Maintenance Minder Message
Maintenance
Minder Indicator
Sub Items Main Item
1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).
•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steer ing gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant