72 || 73
DRIVING
DRIVING
Maximum Load Limit
Carrying too much cargo or improperly storing it can affect your vehicle’s handling,
stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your
vehicle warranties.
The maximum load for your vehicle is 850 lbs (385 kg). See the Tire and Loading
Information label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Label Example
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer. Below are the
steps for determining the correct load limit:
1.
Locate
the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2.
Determine the
combined weight of the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3.
Subtract the
combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
4.
The r
esulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 - 750 (5 x
150) = 650 lbs.)
5.
Determine
the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6.
If y
our vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult the Owner’s Manual to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Learn about preparation for driving, as well as other features.
Before Driving
Check the following items before you begin driving.
Exterior Checks
•
Mak
e sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
•
R
emove any frost, snow, or ice.
•
Mak
e sure the hood is securely closed.
•
Heat
from the engine and exhaust can ignite flammable materials left under
the hood, causing a fire. If you’ve parked your vehicle for an extended period,
inspect and remove any debris that may have collected, such as dried grass
and leaves that have fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a small
animal. Also check under the hood for leftover flammable materials after you
or someone else has performed maintenance on your vehicle.
•
Mak
e sure the tires are in good condition.
•
Mak
e sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
DRIVING
If the doors are frozen shut, use warm water around the door edges to melt any
ice. Do not try to force them open, as this can damage the rubber trim around
the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid further freezing.
NOTICE
Interior Checks•
Stor
e or secure all items on board properly.
•
Do not pile items higher
than the seat height.
•
Do not place an
ything in the front seat footwells. Secure the floor mats.
•
If
you have any animals on board, do not let them move freely in the vehicle.
•
Secur
ely close and lock all doors and the trunk.
•
A
djust your seating position, mirrors, and steering wheel properly.
•
Mak
e sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under
the seats.
•
Ev
eryone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
Make sure that the indicators in the instrument panel come on when you start
the vehicle, and go off soon after.
In addition:
•
During
the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, avoid sudden acceleration
or full throttle operation so as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
•
A
void hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this
when the brake pads are replaced.
94 || 95
DRIVING
DRIVING
Multi-View Rear Camera
When you shift into Reverse (R), a real-time image of the area behind your vehicle
is shown in the display, along with helpful parking guidelines.
The rear camera view is restricted. You cannot see the corner ends of the bumper or what is underneath
the bumper. Its unique lens also makes objects appear closer or farther than they actually are.
Visually confirm that it is safe to drive before backing up. Certain conditions (such as weather, lighting,
and high temperatures) may also restrict the rear view. Do not rely on the rearview display, which does
not give you all information about conditions at the rear of your vehicle.
Wide view Normal view Top down view
Changing Guidelines
1.
Pr
ess the SETTINGS button.
2.
Select Camera
Settings.
3.
Select
Rear Camera.
4.
Select one of the options.
Fixed Guideline: Guidelines appear when you
shift into Reverse. Select On or Off.
Dynamic Guideline: Guidelines move as you turn
the steering wheel. Select On or Off.
5.
Pr
ess the BACK button to exit the menu.
Press the
interface dial
to toggle
between
views.
Parking Sensor System*
When the system senses an object when you are parking or backing up, an indicator
appears on the upper display and a series of beeps will sound. As you get closer to
the object, the beep rate increases.
Turning the System On or OffPress the parking sensor button. A green indicator
light appears on the button when the system is on.
*if equipped
Display indicators
Parking sensor button
Do not continuously spin the front tires of your vehicle. Continuously spinning
the front tires can cause damage to the transmission and SH-AWD unit.
If the SH-AWD light blinks while driving, it indicates the differential temperature
is too high. If this happens, pull to the side of the road when it is safe, shift to
park, and idle the engine until the indicator goes out.
NOTICE
Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)*
Controls and transfers varying amounts of engine torque to each wheel depending
on driving conditions.
SH-AWD helps enhance stability in driving situations involving slippery surfaces,
such as on wet, icy, or snowy roads. The system does not help enhance braking. It is
still your responsibility to drive safely when you steer, accelerate, and apply brakes.
Leave sufficient distance in front of you when braking on slippery surfaces.
102 || 103
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Emergency Engine Stop
The ENGINE START/STOP button may be used to stop the engine due to an
emergency situation even while driving. If you must stop the engine, choose one of
the following operations:
•
Pr
ess and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for
two seconds, or
•
Firml
y press the ENGINE START/STOP button two
times.
The steering wheel will not lock. The power mode changes to ACCESSORY, unless
the shift lever is in Park, in which case the power mode changes to VEHICLE OFF.
Because turning off the engine also disables the power assist the engine provides to
the steering and braking systems, it will require significantly more physical effort
and time to steer and slow the vehicle. Downshift gears and use both feet on the
brake pedal, if necessary, to slow the vehicle and stop immediately in a safe place.
Do not press the button while driving unless it is absolutely necessary for the
engine to be switched off.
Emergency Towing
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle.
All models
Flat bed equipment: The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck. This is
the best way to transport your vehicle.
2WD models
Wheel lift equipment: The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the front
tires and lift them off the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground. This is an
acceptable way to tow your vehicle.
NOTICE
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will cause serious damage. The
bumpers are not designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
Improper towing such as towing behind a motorhome or other motor vehicle can
damage the transmission.
NOTICE
Overheating
Signs your engine is overheating: •
The
temperature gauge needle is at the H mark
•
The engine suddenl
y loses power
•
Steam
or spray comes out from under the hood
•
The message
Engine Temperature Too Hot appears on the display.
1.
Immediatel
y park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn
off all accessories and turn on the hazard warning
lights.
2.
If no steam
or spray is present: Keep the
engine running and open the hood (see page
118).
If steam or spray is present: Turn off the engine
and wait until it subsides. Then, open the hood
(see page 118).
3.
Check that the
cooling fan is operating and stop the engine once the
temperature gauge needle goes down. If the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
4.
Once
the engine has cooled down, inspect the coolant level and check the
cooling system components for leaks. If the coolant level in the reserve tank
is low, add coolant until it reaches the MAX mark. If there is no coolant in the
reserve tank, make sure the radiator is cool, then cover the radiator cap with a
heavy cloth and open the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to the base of the
filler neck, and put the cap back on.
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the temperature
gauge. If the temperature needle has gone down, resume driving. If it has not gone
down, contact a dealer for repairs.
Reserve tank MAX
MIN
Steam and spray from an overheated engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
WARNING
Removing the radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant to
spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the radiator
cap.
WARNING
Continuing to drive with the temperature gauge needle at the H mark may
damage the engine.
NOTICE
104 || 105
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) — Required Federal
Explanation
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat
and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator
to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as
the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle
that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement
or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Monitors the tire pressure while you are driving.
If your vehicle’s tire pressure becomes significantly low, the low tire pressure
indicator appears with a message in the multi-information display.
Roll the right selector
wheel to the tire
pressure monitor to
see which tire(s) have
low pressure.
Tire Fill Assist
Your vehicle gives you visual and audible alerts to help you adjust the tire
pressure to its appropriate level. For your reference, the proper tire pressure
levels are located on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
1.
Stop y
our vehicle with the tire that needs to be filled nearest to a tire air fill
hose. Shift into Park (P). Turn off the vehicle.
2.
R
estart the vehicle. The assist system is activated for 5 minutes.
3.
A
ttach the air hose to the valve stem, and begin to fill the tire.
While inflating: The system beeps and the hazard lights flash once every 5
seconds as tire pressure changes while below the correct pressure.
When the correct pressure is reached: The system beeps and the hazard lights
flash continuously for 5 seconds. Stop filling the tire.
If you overinflate: The system beeps and the hazard lights flash twice every 3
seconds.
Driving on an extremely underinflated tire can cause it to overheat. An
overheated tire can fail. Always inflate your tires to the specified pressure.
NOTICE
116 || 117
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Under the Hood
4-cylinder models
Engine oil
fill cap
Engine oil
fill cap Engine oil dipstick (orange)
Engine oil
dipstick
(orange)
Washer fluid
(black cap)
Washer fluid
(black cap) Brake fluid
(black cap)
Brake fluid
(black cap)
Engine coolant
reserve tank
Engine coolant
reserve tank Radiator cap
Radiator cap Battery
Battery
6-cylinder models
Maintenance Minder Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
*1:If a message Maintenance Due No w/SERVICE DUE NOW 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.
*2:If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 1\
5,000 miles (24,000 km).*3:If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of so\
ot from industry and
diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen lter every 15,0\
00 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A Replace engine oi l*1
B Replace engine oil*1 and oil lter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boot s
Inspect suspension components
Inspect driveshaft boots
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
Inspect all uid levels and condition of uids
Inspect exhaust system#
Inspect fuel lines and connections#
Check expiration information for Temporary Tire
Repair Kit bottle
*4:Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds results in highe\
r transmission temperature.
This requires transmission uid changes more frequently than recommen\
ded by the Maintenance
Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission uid
changed at 40,000 miles (64,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km).*5:If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°\
C), in very low temperatures (under -20°F, -29°C), replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
*6:6-cylinder models*7:Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds results in highe\
r level of mechanical (shear) stress to uid. This requires differential uid changes more frequ\
ently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these cond\
itions, have the differential
uid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (\
24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Sub Item s
1
Rotate tires
2 Replace air cleaner element*2
Replace dust and pollen lter*3
Inspect drive belt
3
Replace transfer-case uid and transmission uid*4
4 Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*5, *6
Inspect valve clearance
5
Replace engine coolan t
6 Replace rear differential ui d*, *7
*
*if equipped
124 || 125
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Tire and Loading Information Label
The label attached to the driver’s doorjamb provides necessary tire and
loading information.Using tires that are excessively worn or improperly inflated can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s manual regarding tire inflation
and maintenance.
WARNING
Original
tire sizes
Number of
people your
vehicle can
carry Proper cold
tire pressure
Total weight your
vehicle can carry
(do not exceed)
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rating, and
maximum cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using
tires of a different size or construction can cause certain vehicle systems to
work incorrectly. It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn’t
possible, replace the front or rear tires in pairs.
If you change or replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match
those of the original wheels. Only use TPMS-specified wheels approved for your
vehicle.
Installing improper tires on your vehicle can affect handling and stability.
This can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of tires recommended in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
Tire Information
To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.
Inflation Guidelines•
Pr
operly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and
comfort. Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or the specifications (see page
131) for the specified pressure.
•
Underinflated
tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from overheating.
•
Ov
erinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
•
Ev
ery day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
•
Measur
e the air pressure when tires are cold. This means the vehicle has been
parked for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If necessary, add
or release air until the specified pressure is reached. If checked when hot, tire
pressure can be as much as 4-6 psi (30-40 kPa, 0.3-0.5 kgf/cm
2) higher than
checked when cold.
•
A
t least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure
in all tires, including the spare*. Even tires in good condition can lose 1-2 psi
(10-20 kPa, 0.1-0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
Inspection Guidelines
Every time you inflate the tires, check for the following:
•
An
y damage to tires, including bumps, bulges, cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
or tread. Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks. Replace tires if
you see fabric or cord.
•
Unev
en or excessive tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.
•
Cracks or other damage
around the valve stems.
Wear IndicatorsThe groove where the wear indicator is located is
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than elsewhere on the
tire. If the tread has worn so low that the indicator
is exposed, replace the tire. Worn out tires have
poor traction on wet roads.
Example of a wear mark
indicator
*if equipped
126 || 127
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle have a number of markings. Those you
should be aware of are described below.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The tire identification number (TIN)
is a group of numbers and letters that
look like the example below. TIN is
located on the sidewall of the tire.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given
inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the
tire can hold.
Maximum Load Rating – The load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure
recommended by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – The projections within the principal
grooves designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the
tread.
Tire size Tire
Identi cation
Number (TIN)
Maximum
tire load
Maximum
tire pressure
Tire size
DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer’s identi cation mark.
FW6X: Tire type code.
22 09: Date of manufacture.
Year
Week
Here is an example of what each
marking means:
P215/70R16 100S
•
P: tir
e type (passenger vehicle)
•
215:
tire width in millimeters
•
7
0: aspect ratio (tire section height as
a percentage of its width)
•
R:
tire construction code (radial)
•
16: rim
diameter in inches
•
100: load index (code indicating
maximum load
tire can carry)
•
S: speed symbol (code indicating
maximum speed rating)
Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach
five years old. All tires, including the spare*, should be removed from service after
10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of
wear.
Winter Tires
If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season tires marked “M+S”, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between
vehicles when driving. For winter tires, select the size and load ranges that are the
same as the original tires, and mount them to all four wheels.
Tire Chains
Install tire chains on the front tires only. Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, we strongly recommend using the following chains:
Cable type: QCC Premium Cobra 1042P with tensioner.
Mount chains as tightly as you can, and make sure that they do not touch the
brake lines or suspension.
Using the wrong chains, or not properly installing chains, can damage the
brake lines and cause a crash in which you can be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this guide regarding the selection and use of tire
chains.
WARNING
Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly installed can damage your
vehicle’s brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are hitting
any part of the vehicle.
NOTICE
*if equipped
128 || 129
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
WARNING: The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.DOT Tire Quality Grading
The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All tires are
also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature performance according to
Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.
Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road characteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades
represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.