165
uuAdjusting the Seats uMaintain a Proper Sitting Position
Controls
Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
After all occupants have adjusted their s eats and head restraints, and put on their
seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their
seats, with their feet on the floor, until the vehicle is safe ly parked and the engine is
off.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if
an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or
sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly
increased.
In addition, an occupant who is out of posi tion in the front seat can be seriously or
fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an
inflating front airbag.1 Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
3WARNING
Sitting improperly or out of position can
result in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright, well back in the seat,
with your feet on the floor.
171
uuInterior Lights/Convenience Items uInterior Convenience Items
Continued
Controls
Interior Convenience Items
Pull the lever to open the glove box. You can
lock the glove box with the built-in key.
■Glove Box1Glove Box
3WARNING
An open glove box can cause serious injury
to your passenger in a crash, even if the
passenger is wearing the seat belt.
Always keep the glove box closed while
driving.
Glove Box
To Lock
398
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Be sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under the
seats.
u They can interfere with the driver’s ability to operate the pedals, the operation
of the seats, or the operation of the sensors under the seats.
• Everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
2Fastening a Seat Belt P. 36
•Make sure that the indicators in the ins trument panel come on when you start the
vehicle, and go off soon after.
u Always have a dealer check the vehicle if a problem is indicated.
2 Indicators P. 72
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
400
Driving
(4) The resulting 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 av ailable 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 we ight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tra iler, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicl e. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces th e available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.1 Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all a ccessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load. 2 Specifications P. 586
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications P. 586
3WARNING
Never let passengers ride in the
pickup bed, in the trunk space, or
on the bed rails. This could cause
very serious injuries or death. No
one should ride in any position on
your vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and seat belts.
Exceeding load limits or
improperly loading cargo on the
vehicle can cause a crash in which
you can be seriously injured or
killed.
Load the cargo carefully before
starting to drive.
402
uuBefore Driving uCarrying Cargo
Driving
Carrying Cargo
Your vehicle can carry a large amount of cargo in the pickup bed.
However, the pickup bed is not intended for carrying passengers.
People who ride in the pickup bed can be ve ry seriously injured or killed in a crash.
• When loading and unloading cargo, make sure all passengers or any objects are
clear of the tailgate before opening or closing it. The tailgate should be closed
securely before driving when it is not used as the extended pickup bed.
• The maximum allowable loading weight for the trunk is 300 lbs (136 kg).
Do not exceed this weight limi t, or you may damage the trunk.
• The maximum allowable loading weight on the pickup bed is 1,100 lbs (500 kg).
Do not exceed the load limit.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 399
•Distribute cargo evenly on the pickup bed. Place the heaviest items on the bottom
and as far forward as possible of the rear axle. Tie down and secure all items that
could be thrown out of the vehicle during a crash or sudden stop.
• If you stack items higher than the bed si des, tailgate, or back window, secure
them with a net or cover.
This will reduce the risk of items being thrown out of the pickup bed during a
crash or sudden stop.
• When the tailgate is dropped open, it can be used as an extended pickup bed.
The maximum allowable weight on the tailgate while driving is 300 lbs (136 kg).
Exceeding this limit could damage the tailgate.
• Carrying heavy cargo in the pickup bed will raise your vehicle’s center of gravity.
This can affect handling and performance. Drive more slowly and cautiously, and
allow extra time and distance for braking.
■Carrying Cargo in the Pickup Bed1 Carrying Cargo
3WARNING
Allowing passengers to ride in the pickup
bed or on the tailgate can result in death or
serious injury in a crash.
Make sure all passengers ride in a seat and
wear a seat belt properly.
3WARNING
Never let passengers ride in the pickup bed,
in the trunk space, or on the bed rails. This
could cause very serious injuries or death.
No one should ride in any position on your
vehicle that is not eq uipped with seats and
seat belts.
Exceeding load limits or improperly loading
cargo on the vehicle can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously injured or killed.
Load the cargo carefully before starting to
drive.
416
Driving
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
General Information
Your vehicle has been designed primarily for use on pavement, however, its higher
ground clearance allows you to occasionally travel on unpaved roads. It is not
designed for trail-blazing, or othe r challenging off-road activities.
If you decide to drive on unpaved roads, you will find that it requires somewhat
different driving skills and that your vehicle will handle somewhat differently than it
does on pavement. Pay attention to the precautions and tips in this section, and get
acquainted with your vehicle before leaving the pavement.
Important Safety Precautions
To avoid loss of control or rollover, be sure to follow all precautions and
recommendations:
• Be sure to store cargo properly and do not exceed your cargo load limits.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 399
•Whenever you drive, make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
• Keep your speed low, and never go faster than the conditions allow.
• It’s up to you to continually assess the situation and drive within the limits.
1Off-Highway Driving Guidelines
Failure to operate your vehi cle correctly might result
in a crash or a rollover. 2 Important Handling Information P. 30
2 Precautions While Driving P. 424
Spinning the tires excessiv ely can also damage the
Intelligent VTM4 (i-VTM4) system.
3WARNING
Improperly operating this vehicle on or off-
pavement can cause a crash or rollover in
which you and your passengers could be
seriously injured or killed.
• Follow all instructions and guidelines in
this owner’s manual.
• Keep your speed low, and don’t drive
faster than conditions permit.
509
uuMaintenance MinderTMuTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the maintenance message in the
multi-information display, 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.
Maintenance Minder MessageSystem Message
Indicator
Sub Items
Main
Item
*1: If the message
Maintenance 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 in the first column on page 593.
*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 every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear brakes●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering 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#
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures (under
-20°F, -29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.) / 100,000 km (Canada).
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (Shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles (12,000 km), then 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 and transfer fluid*
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace rear differential fluid*, *5
* Not available on all models
543Continued
Maintenance
Cleaning
Interior Care
Use a damp cloth with a mixture of mild detergent and warm water to remove dirt.
Use a clean cloth to remove detergent residue.
Use a soft brush with a mixture of mild soap and warm water to clean the seat belts.
Let the belts air dry. Wipe the openings of the seat belt anchors using a clean cloth.
Wipe using a glass cleaner.
■Cleaning Seat Belts
1 Interior Care
Do not spill liquids inside the vehicle.
Electrical devices and systems may malfunction if
liquids are splashed on them.
Do not use silicone based sp rays on electrical devices
such as audio devices and switches.
Doing so may cause the items to malfunction or a fire
inside the vehicle.
If a silicone based spray is inadvertently used on
electrical devices, consult a dealer.
Depending on their compos ition, chemicals and
liquid aromatics may cause discoloration, wrinkles,
and cracking to resin-ba sed parts and textiles.
Do not use alkali solvents or organic solvents such as
benzene or gasoline.
After using chemical s, make sure to gently wipe them
away using a dry cloth.
Do not place used cloths on top of resin based parts
or textiles for long periods of time without washing.
Opening
■Cleaning the Window1Cleaning the Window
Wires are mounted to the in side of the rear window.
Wipe along the same direct ion as the wires with a
soft cloth so as not to damage them.