CAUTIONlThe reclining mechanism of the seatback is
spring loaded, causing it to return to the ver- tical position when the lock lever is operat- ed. When using the lever, sit close to the
seatback or hold it with your hand to control its return motion.Heated seats*
E00401102384
The heated seats can be operated with the ig-
nition switch in the “ON” position. Operate
the switch as indicated by arrows.
The indication lamp (A) will illuminate while the heater is on.
1 (HI)-Heater high (for quick
heating).2 (neutral posi- tion)-Heater off.3 (LO)-Heater low (to keep the
seat warm).CAUTIONl Switch off seat heaters when not in use.
l Operate in the high position for quick heat-
ing. Once the seat is warm, set the heater to low to keep it warm. Slight variations in seat
temperature may be felt while using the heated seats. This is caused by the operation
of the heater’s internal thermostat and does not indicate a malfunction.
l If the following types of persons use the
heated seats, they might become too hot or receive minor burns (red skin, heat blisters,
etc.):
• Children, elderly or ill people
• People with sensitive skin
• Excessively tired people
• People under the influence of alcohol or
sleep inducing medication (cold medicine, etc.)
l Do not place heavy objects on the seat or
stick pins, needles, or other pointed objects into it.
l Do not use a blanket, cushion, or other mate-
rial with high heat insulation properties on the seat while using the heater; this might
cause the heater element to overheat.
l When cleaning the seat, do not use benzene,
kerosene, petrol, alcohol, or other organicsolvents; these might damage the surface of the seat and also the heater element.CAUTIONl If water or any other liquid is spilled on the
seat, allow it to dry thoroughly before at-tempting to use the heater.
l Turn the heater off immediately if it appears
to be malfunctioning during use.Rear seats (3-door models)*/
Second seats (5-door
models)* E00402000184WARNINGlWhen a person is sitting in the middle
seating position of the rear seats (3-doormodels)/second seats (5-door models), pull
up the head restraint to a height at which
it locks in position. Be sure to make this adjustment before starting to drive. Seri- ous injuries could otherwise be suffered as
the result of an impact. Refer to “Head
restraints” on page 4-12.
Rear seats (3-door models)*/Second seats (5-door models)*
4-09OVWX17E1Seat and seat belts4
NOTElWhen the vehicle has been refuelled, the
pointer in the fuel gauge takes a short while
to stabilize.
l The fuel gauge will not give an accurate in-
dication if the vehicle is refuelled with the ignition switch in the “ON” position.
l When the engine on diesel-powered vehicles
fails to operate due to running out of fuel, it may sometimes be difficult to start after re-
fueling. This is due to air entering the fuel
system. Therefore, air must be bled from the system. (Refer to “Bleeding the fuel system” on page 8-06.)
Fuel lid mark
The fuel lid mark (A) indicates that the fuel
tank filler door is located on the right side of the vehicle.
Low fuel warning lamp
E00508101778
The warning lamp (A) comes on when the
fuel level is getting low (approx. 10 litres )
with the ignition switch in the “ON” position.
Refuel as soon as possible.NOTEl On inclines or curves, due to the movement
of fuel in the tank, the low fuel warning lamp may indicate incorrectly.Water temperature gauge
E00500801519
The water temperature gauge indicates the
engine coolant temperature when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
CAUTIONl If the indication needle enters the H zone
while the engine is running, it indicates that
the engine is possibly overheating. Immedi-
ately park your vehicle in a safe place and make the necessary corrections. (Refer to“Engine overheating” on page 8-04.)
While driving, care should always be taken
to maintain the normal operating tempera- ture.
Instruments
5-06OVWX17E1Instruments and controls5
Push the button once and the washer fluidwill be sprayed on to the headlamps.NOTEl If the ignition switch is in the “ON” or
“ACC” position and the headlamps are on,
the headlamp washer operates together with the windscreen washer the first time thewindscreen washer lever is pulled.Precautions to observe when
using wipers and washers
E00507601558
l If the moving wipers become blocked
partway through a sweep by ice or other deposits on the glass, the wipers maytemporarily stop operating to prevent the
motor from overheating. In this case,
park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” posi-
tion, and then remove the ice or other
deposits.
The wipers will start operating again af- ter the wiper motor cools down, so
check that the wipers operate before us-
ing them.
l Do not use the wipers when the glass is
dry. They may scratch the glass surface
and the blades wear out prematurely.
l Before using the wipers in cold weather,
check that the wiper blades are not fro- zen onto the glass. The motor may burn out if the wipers are used with the blades
frozen onto the glass.
l Avoid using the washer continuously for
more than 20 seconds. Do not operate the washer when the fluid reservoir isempty.
Otherwise, the motor may burn out.
l Periodically check the level of washer
fluid in the reservoir and refill if re- quired.
During cold weather, add a recommen-
ded washer solution that will not freeze
in the washer reservoir. Failure to do so could result in loss of washer functionand frost damage to the system compo- nents.Wiper de-icer switch*
E00507700103
The wiper de-icer switch can be operatedwith the ignition switch in the “ON” position.
When the front wipers have frozen to the windscreen at the parked positions, turning
on this switch will heat the windscreen to make the wipers operable. Press the switch
and the deicer will operate and turn on the in- dication lamp (A).
Wiper de-icer switch*
5-49OVWX17E1Instruments and controls5
5.After turning the ignition key to the
“ON” position, make certain that all
warning lamps are functioning properly before starting the engine.
6. Turn the ignition key to the “START”
position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal, and release it when the engine starts.NOTEl A ticking noise may be heard after starting
the engine. This is not an abnormal condi-tion. The noise will disappear after a shorttime of engine running.
If the ticking noise continues after the en-
gine is warmed up, we recommend you to have your vehicle checked.
When it is difficult to start the
engine
After several attempts, you may experience that the engine still does not start. 1. Make sure that all electric devices, such
as lamps, air conditioning blower and
rear window demister, are turned off.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, press
the accelerator pedal halfway and hold it
there, then crank the engine. Release the
accelerator pedal, immediately after the
engine starts.
3. If the engine still will not start, the en-
gine could be flooded with too much
petrol. While depressing the brake pedal, push the accelerator pedal all the way
down and hold it there, then crank the
engine for 5 to 6 seconds. Return the ig- nition switch to the “LOCK” position
and release the accelerator pedal. Wait a few seconds, and then crank the engine
again for 5 to 6 seconds while depress-
ing the brake pedal, but do not push the accelerator pedal. Release the ignition
key if the engine starts. If the engine
fails to start, repeat these procedures. If the engine still will not start, we recom-
mend you to have the vehicle checked.
Using the MIVEC engine
The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in accordancewith the driving conditions for maximum en-
gine performance.
NOTEl To protect the engine, the high-speed mode
may not be selected while the engine coolanttemperature is low. In such a case, the en-
gine revolutions do not rise to over
5,000 rpm even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.Starting the engine (diesel-
powered vehicles)
E00601801331
1. Insert the ignition key and fasten the seat
belt.
2. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
4. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P”
(PARK) position.
5. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” posi-
tion.
The diesel preheat indication lamp will
first illuminate, and then after a short
time go out, indicating that preheating is completed.
NOTEl If the engine is cold, the diesel preheat indi-
cation lamp is on for a longer time.
Starting
6-13OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
CAUTIONlAvoid sudden braking, sudden acceleration,
and sharp turning; such operations could
cause skidding and spinouts.
Driving on sandy or muddy
roads
Set the transfer shift lever to the “4HLc” or “4LLc” position and then gradually depress
the accelerator pedal for a smooth start. Keep
the pressure on the accelerator pedal as con- stant as possible, and drive at low speed.
CAUTIONl Do not force the vehicle or drive recklessly
on sandy surfaces. In comparison with nor-
mal road surfaces, the engine and other
drive-system components are put under ex- cessive strain when driving on such a sur-
face, and this could lead to accidents.
l If any of following conditions occur while
the vehicle is being driven, immediately park your vehicle in a safe place and follow these procedures:
• The needle in the temperature gauge ap-
proaches the overheating zone.
Refer to “Engine overheating” on page
8-04.CAUTION• A/T fluid temperature warning lamp illu-
minates.
Refer to “When the A/T fluid temperature
warning lamp comes on” on page 6-19.WARNINGl When attempting to rock your vehicle out
of a stuck position, be sure that the area
around the vehicle is clear of people and physical objects. The rocking motion may
cause the vehicle to suddenly launch for- ward or backward, causing injury or damage to nearby people or objects.NOTEl Avoid sudden braking, acceleration, and
turning; such operations could result in thevehicle becoming stuck.
l If the vehicle becomes stuck in sandy or
muddy roads, it can often be moved with a
rocking motion. Move the selector lever rhythmically between the “D” (DRIVE) and
“R” (REVERSE) position, while applying slight pressure to the accelerator pedal.
l It is recommended to start the vehicle with
parking brake partially, but not completely, applied by slightly pulling the parking brake
lever.
After the vehicle has become free, do not forget to release the parking brake.NOTEl If it is necessary to drive in extremely mud-
dy conditions, the use of tyre chains is rec-
ommended. Because the extent of muddy conditions is difficult to judge and the vehi- cle could become bogged down very deeply,
operation should be at a low speed. If possi-
ble, get out of the vehicle and check the con-
ditions ahead before proceeding.
l Driving over roads in coastal areas or roads
on which anti-skid preparations have been
spread can cause rust on the vehicle; wash
the vehicle thoroughly as soon as possible after such use.
Climbing sharp grades
Set the transfer shift lever to the “4LLc” po-
sition to maximize the engine torque.
WARNINGl Go straight up. Do not try to traverse
across a steep slope.
l If you begin to lose traction, ease off the
accelerator pedal and gently turn the steering wheel alternatively left and right
to regain adequate traction again.NOTEl Choose as smooth a slope as possible with
few stones or other obstacles.
4-wheel drive operation
6-31OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
BrakingE00607001524
All the parts of the brake system are critical
to safety. We recommend you to have the ve- hicle checked at regular intervals according
to the service booklet.CAUTIONl Avoid driving habits that cause heavy brak-
ing and never “ride” the brakes by resting
your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It causes brake overheating and fade.
Brake system
The service brake is divided into two brake
circuits so that when one brake circuit fails, the other is available to stop the vehicle. In
this situation, even if the brake pedal moves down to the very end of its possible stroke,
keep depressing the brake pedal down harder than usual; stop driving as soon as possible
and have the brake system repaired.
For details, refer to “Brake warning lamp” on
page 5-10.
Power brakes
The power brakes use brake fluid pressurized
by the pump to power-assist the brake. If the brake system fails during driving, the brake
warning lamp comes on and a buzzer sounds continuously. In this case, the brake may not
work properly.
If this buzzer should continue to sound, park your vehicle in a safe place and have the sys-tem checked.
Refer to “Brake warning lamp” on page 5-10.
CAUTIONl Bring the vehicle to halt in a safe location by
applying the brakes gently. Applying the
brakes rapidly or driving at high speed may
make the vehicle unstable.NOTEl Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may
turn on the brake warning lamp, ABS warn-ing lamp and brake warning buzzer. (The
ASTC indication lamp and Active Stability
Control function OFF indication lamp also
turn on.) It is normal if the lamp goes out and the buzzer stops sounding after a few
seconds.NOTEl In certain cases immediately after the engine
has been started or when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, a noise generated by operation of brake devices may be heard coming from the engine compartment, or the
brake pedal vibration may be felt. This type
of noise or vibration is normal and there is
no need for concern. In fact, it indicates that
the corresponding devices are operating nor-
mal.WARNINGl Do not turn off the engine while your ve-
hicle is in motion. If you turn off the en-
gine while driving, the power assistance
for the braking system will stop working and your brakes will not work effectively.
l If the power assist is lost or if either brake
hydraulic system stops working properly,
have your vehicle checked immediately.
Warning lamp
l The brake warning lamp illuminates to
indicate a fault in the braking system.
Read “Brake warning lamp” on page
5-10.
Braking
6-35OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
lOn vehicles with the rear differential
lock, the active stability & traction con- trol (ASTC) and anti-lock brake system
(ABS) functions are suspended while the
rear differential lock is activated. ASTC indication lamp, Active Stability Controlfunction OFF indication lamp, ABS
warning lamp and brake warning lamp are illuminated while these functions are
suspended. It does not indicate a prob- lem. When the rear differential lock is
disengaged, these lamps go out and function again.
Refer to “Brake warning lamp” on page
5-10 , “ABS warning lamp” on page
6-38 , “ASTC indication lamp” on page
6-40 , “Active stability control function
OFF indication lamp” on page 6-42.
When brakes are wet
Check the brake system while driving at a
low speed immediately after starting, espe- cially when the brakes are wet, to confirmthey work normally.
A film of water can be formed on the brake
discs and prevent normal braking after driv-
ing in heavy rain or through large puddles, or after the vehicle is washed. If this occurs, dry
the brakes out by driving slowly while lightly depressing the brake pedal.
When driving downhill
It is important to take advantage of the en-
gine braking by shifting to a lower shift posi- tion while driving on steep downhill roads in order to prevent the brakes from overheating.
WARNINGl Do not leave any objects near the brake
pedal or let a floor mat slide under it; do- ing so could prevent the full pedal strokethat would be necessary in an emergency.
Make sure that the pedal can be operated freely at all times. Make sure the floor mat is securely held in place.
Brake pads
l Avoid hard braking situations.
New brakes need to be broken-in by
moderate use for the first 200 km (125 miles).
l The disc brakes are provided with a
warning device which emits a shrieking
metallic sound while braking if the brake pads have reached their wear limit.
If you hear this sound, have the brake pads replaced immediately.
WARNINGl Driving with worn brake pads will make
it harder to stop, and can cause an acci-
dent.Brake assist system
E00627001852
The brake assist system is a device assistingdrivers who cannot depress the brake pedalfirmly when it is necessary to do so (such as
in emergency stop situations) and provides
greater braking force.
If the brake pedal is depressed suddenly, the brakes will be applied with more force thanusual.
CAUTIONl The brake assist system is not a device de-
signed to exercise braking force greater than its capacity. Make sure to always keep a suf-
ficient distance between your vehicle and a
vehicle in front of you without relying too much on the brake assist system.
Brake assist system
6-36OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
Operating the system in auto-matic mode
E00704102506
In normal conditions, use the system in the
AUTO mode and follow these procedures: 1. Push the AUTO switch.
2. Select the temperature control dial to the
desired temperature.
The mode selection, blower speed ad-
justment, recirculated/outside air selec- tion, temperature adjustment, and air
conditioner ON/OFF status are all con- trolled automatically.
CAUTIONl While the vehicle is stationary, fully depress
the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from
creeping caused by slightly increased idling
speed when the air conditioning compressor
is switched on automatically.NOTEl When the temperature is set to the highest or
the lowest setting under the AUTO opera-
tion, the air selection and the air condition- ing will be automatically changed as fol-
lows.
Also, if the air selection is operated manual- ly after an automatic changeover, manualoperation will be selected.
• Quick Heating (When the temperature is
set to the highest setting)
Outside air will be introduced.
• Quick Cooling (When the temperature is
set to the lowest setting)
Inside air will be recirculated and the air
conditioning will operate.Operating the system in man-
ual mode
E00704200154
Blower speed and ventilator mode may be
controlled manually by setting the blower speed selection dial and the MODE switch to the desired positions.
To return to automatic operation, set the AU-
TO operation.
Demisting of the windscreen
and door windows
E00704301992
To remove frost or mist from the windscreen
and door windows, use the MODE switch or
Demister switch (“
” or “”).
CAUTIONl For safety, make sure you have a clear view
through all the windows.
Front automatic air conditioning
7-08OVWX17E1For pleasant driving7