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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner app ropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate t o the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspec t the condition of the battery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires.
Make sure to install 4 tires that are of the specified size, an d that
all 4 tires are the same size, same maker, same brand and tread
pattern.
■ Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following accordi ng to the driving conditions.
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of th e windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior lig hts, vehicle's roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes
before getting in the vehicle.
348 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacement tire is greater than 1/2
of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
■Tire types
1 Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to hi ghway
driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have th e same
traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-cover ed
roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When
installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in sno w and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as f or use
year round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate tra ction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Al so,
all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling perfor mance
compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend us ing
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same si ze, con-
struction and load capacity as th e originally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tir es without
first checking local regulations for possible restriction. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( P. 261)
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the
tire, see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire. ( P. 4 7 4 )
