PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: Vehicle modifications
involving braking system, aftermarket roof
racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and wheel and tire size may
change the handling characteristics of your
vehicle and may adversely affect the
performance of the electronic stability
control system. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with
and adversely affect the electronic stability
control system. Install any aftermarket
stereo loudspeaker as far as possible from
the front center console, the tunnel, and
the front seats in order to minimize the risk
of interfering with the electronic stability
control sensors. Reducing the
effectiveness of the electronic stability
control system could lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, personal injury and death. WARNING:
Remember that even
advanced technology cannot defy the laws
of physics. It's always possible to lose
control of a vehicle due to inappropriate
driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause
you to lose control of your vehicle
increasing the risk of personal injury or
property damage. Activation of the
electronic stability control system is an
indication that at least some of the tires
have exceeded their ability to grip the road;
this could reduce the operator's ability to
control the vehicle potentially resulting in
a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death. If your electronic
stability control system activates, SLOW
DOWN.
The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on. If the stability control or traction control
system detects a fault, the following may
occur:
•
The stability and traction control light
illuminates steadily.
• The stability control and traction
control systems do not enhance your
vehicle's ability to maintain traction of
the wheels.
If the stability control or traction control
system activates, the following may occur:
• The stability and traction control light
flashes.
• Your vehicle slows down.
• Reduced engine power.
• A vibration in the brake pedal.
• The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
• If the driving condition is severe and
your foot is not on the brake pedal, the
pedal may move as the system applies
higher brake force.
The stability control system has several
features built into it to help you maintain
control of your vehicle.
Electronic Stability Control
The system helps to prevent your vehicle
skidding or laterally sliding by individually
applying the brakes to one or more wheels
and, if necessary, reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
The system helps to prevent rollovers by
detecting your vehicle's roll motion, and
individually applying the brakes to one or
more wheels.
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Side-Wind Stabilization
The system applies the brakes on one side
of your vehicle to reduce the effect of a
sudden side-wind gust on your vehicle's
path. When the system turns on, the
stability and traction control light flashes,
and a message may appear in the
information display. You may notice a
slight deceleration and may still need to
make a steering correction to maintain the
intended vehicle path. The system does
not turn on for a continuous side-wind or
during turns.
Traction Control
The system enhances your vehicle's ability
to maintain traction of the wheels by
detecting and controlling wheel spin. See
Using Traction Control (page 160). Vehicle without stability control
skidding off its intended route.
A
Vehicle with stability control
maintaining control on a slippery
surface.
B USING STABILITY CONTROL
The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.
You cannot switch the stability control and
roll stability control systems off, but when
you shift into reverse (R), the systems
deactivate.
You can switch the traction control system
off or on. See
Using Traction Control
(page 160).
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AA
B
BB
B
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: To help avoid personal
injury, please read and understand the
limitations of the system as contained in
this section. Sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when
moving on a flat surface at parking speeds.
Certain objects with surfaces that absorb
ultrasonic waves, surrounding vehicle's
parking aid systems, traffic control
systems, fluorescent lamps, inclement
weather, air brakes, and external motors
and fans may also affect the function of
the sensing system; this may include
reduced performance or a false activation. WARNING:
To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in reverse
(R) and when using the sensing system. WARNING:
This system is not
designed to prevent contact with small or
moving objects. The system is designed to
provide a warning to assist the driver in
detecting large stationary objects to avoid
damaging your vehicle. The system may
not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground. WARNING:
Certain add-on devices
such as large trailer hitches, bike or
surfboard racks and any device that may
block the normal detection zone of the
system, may create false beeps.
Note: Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors
are covered, the system ’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects. Note:
If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alarms.
Note: The sensing system cannot be turned
off when a MyKey is present. See Principle
of Operation
(page 64).
Note: If you attach certain add-on devices
such as a trailer or bike rack, the rear sensing
system may detect that add-on device and
therefore provide warnings. It is suggested
that you disable the rear sensing system
when you attach an add-on device to your
vehicle to prevent these warnings.
The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of your
vehicle. The system turns on automatically
whenever you switch the ignition on. You can turn the system on or
off by pressing the parking aid
button. If your vehicle does not
have a parking aid button, the system can
be switched off through the information
display menu or from the pop-up message
that appears once you shift the
transmission into reverse (R). See
Information Messages
(page 103).
If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information
display. See
General Information (page
99).
PARKING AID WARNING:
The parking aid system
can only assist you to detect objects when
your vehicle is moving at parking speeds.
To help avoid personal injury you must take
care when using the parking aid system.
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WARNING: Traffic control systems,
inclement weather, air brakes, external
motors and fans may affect the correct
operation of the sensing system.This may
cause reduced performance or false alerts. WARNING:
The system may not
detect small or moving objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
The system warns you of objects that are
within the detection zone of the bumper
areas. When you switch the ignition on,
the system automatically turns on. The
system becomes active when you shift into
reverse (R) and the speed of your vehicle
is
7 mph (12 km/h) or less. Rear detection zone: Up to 72 in
(180 cm) from the rear bumper.
A
Note: Accessories that block the detection
zone of the system may create false alerts.
Note: Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage
leaving the sensors misaligned, this will
cause inaccurate measurements or false
alerts. A tone will sound in the following manner
when objects are near the front or rear
bumpers:
•
Objects detected by the rear sensors
produce a low-pitched tone.
• An alert will only sound for three
seconds if an object is further than 12 in
(30 cm)
from the side of your vehicle.
The system detects objects when you shift
into reverse (R) and:
• Your vehicle is moving toward a
stationary object at a speed of
3 mph
(5 km/h) or less.
• Your vehicle is stationary but an object
is approaching your vehicle at a speed
of
3 mph (5 km/h) or less.
• Your vehicle is moving at a speed of
3 mph (5 km/h)
or less, and an object
is approaching your vehicle at a speed
of
3 mph (5 km/h) or less.
Note: The rate of the tone increases as your
vehicle moves closer to an object.
When the parking aid system sounds a
tone, the audio system may reduce the set
volume. When the warning ends, the audio
system returns to the previously set
volume.
Note: Volume reduction is not a standard
feature of all audio systems.
Switching the Parking Aid System
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set
speed without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. You can use cruise
control when your vehicle speed is greater
than 20 mph (30 km/h).
USING CRUISE CONTROL WARNING: Do not use cruise control
on winding roads, in heavy traffic or when
the road surface is slippery. This could
result in loss of vehicle control, serious
injury or death. WARNING:
When you are going
downhill, your vehicle speed could increase
above the set speed. The system does not
apply the brakes.
Note: Cruise control disengages if the
vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph
(16 km/h) below the set speed while driving
uphill. The cruise controls are on the steering
wheel. Switching Cruise Control On
Press
ON. The indicator displays in the
instrument cluster.
Setting the Cruise Speed
1. Drive to desired speed.
2. Press
SET+ or SET-.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Changing the Set Speed
• Press
SET+ or SET- to change the set
speed in small increments.
• Press the accelerator or brake pedal
until you reach the desired speed. Press
SET+
or SET-.
• Press and hold SET+ or SET-. Release
the control when you reach the desired
speed.
Note: If you accelerate by pressing the
accelerator pedal, the set speed does not
change. When you release the accelerator
pedal, your vehicle returns to the speed that
you previously set.
Canceling the Set Speed
Pull
CAN or tap the brake pedal. The set
speed does not erase.
Resuming the Set Speed
Pull
RES.
Switching Cruise Control Off
Press
OFF when the system is in stand by
mode, or switch the ignition off.
Note: You erase the set speed when you
switch the system off.
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Setting the Steering Wheel Vibration
Level
The system has three intensity levels which
you can set using the information display.
See General Information (page 99).
Setting the System Sensitivity
Some vehicles can adjust how quickly the
system warns you. The system has two
sensitivity levels which you can set using
the information display. See
General
Information (page 99).
System Warnings When you switch the system on, an image
of a vehicle showing lane markings
appears in the information display. When
you switch the system off, the image does
not display.
When the system is on, the color of the
lane markings will change to indicate the
system status. The lane markings are color coded as
follows:
•
Green: The system is ready to warn you
of any unintentional lane departure.
• Red: Your vehicle is approaching or is
too close to the detected lane
boundary. Take immediate safe action
to reposition your vehicle.
• Gray: The system will suppress the
relevant lane boundary.
Instances where a lane boundary may be
suppressed:
• The sensor may not detect the lane
markings on the road.
• You turn the direction indicator for that
side of your vehicle on.
• If you apply direct steering, accelerate
fast or brake hard.
• Your vehicle speed is outside the
operating limits.
• If there is an anti-lock brake or stability
control intervention.
• Narrow lane width.
If the lane markings in the display turn red
or you feel a vibration through the steering
wheel you must take immediate and safe
action to align your vehicle. Correct any
unintended lane drift immediately.
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power
steering system:
• Never hold the steering wheel at its
furthest turning points (until it stops)
for more than three to five seconds
when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low
power steering pump fluid level (below
the MIN mark on the reservoir).
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The total load on each axle must
never exceed its Gross Axle
Weight Rating.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
GVWR is the maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle.
This includes all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo.
It appears on the Safety
Compliance Certification label.
The label is located on the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the
door edge that meets the
door-latch post, next to the driver
seating position.
The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating.
Safety Compliance Certification Label
Example:
WARNING: Exceeding the
Safety Compliance Certification
label vehicle weight rating limits
could result in substandard
vehicle handling or performance,
engine, transmission and/or
structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of
control and personal injury.
Maximum Loaded Trailer
Weight
Maximum loaded trailer weight is
the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can
tow. Consult an authorized dealer
(or the RV and Trailer Towing
Guide available at an authorized
dealer) for more detailed
information.
GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating)
GCWR is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the
loaded trailer, including all cargo
and passengers, that the vehicle
can handle without risking
damage. (Important: The towing
vehicle ’s braking system is rated
for operation at Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, not at Gross
Combined Weight Rating.)
Separate functional brakes should
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Towing trailers
beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight
exceeds the limit of your vehicle
and could result in engine
damage, transmission damage,
structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and
personal injury. WARNING:
Do not exceed
the GVWR or the GAWR specified
on the certification label.
Note: See
Recommended
Towing Weights (page 181).
Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See
Fuses
(page 208).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra
load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during,
and after, any towing operation. Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects your vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items
centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a ball mount with the
correct rise or drop and load
capacity. When both the
loaded vehicle and trailer are
connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in another chapter of this
manual. See
Load Limit (page
174).
You can also find information in
the
RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online.
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