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SMART mode
SMART mode selects the
proper driving mode
between NORMAL and
SPORT by judging the driver's driv-
ing habits (i.e. Economical or
Aggressive) from the brake pedal
depression or the steering wheel
operation.
Press the DRIVE MODE button to select SMART mode. When
SMART mode is activated, the
indicator illuminates on the instru-
ment cluster.
Vehicle's equipped with a supervi- sion cluster the indicator illumi-
nates in green, when the driver's
driving is categorized to be eco-
nomical. It illuminates in white,
when the driver's driving is catego-
rized to be normal. It illuminates in
yellow, when the driver's driving is
categorized to be sportive during
abrupt braking or sharp curving.
Whenever the engine is restarted, the drive mode will revert back to
NORMAL mode. If SMART mode
is desired, re-select SMART mode. SMART mode automatically con-
trols gear shifting patterns, engine
torque, in accordance with the dri-
ver's driving habits.
Information
When you dynamically drive the vehi-
cle in SMART mode by abruptly
decelerating or sharply turning the
driving mode changes to SPORT
mode. However, it may adversely
affect fuel economy.
Various driving situations, which
you may encounter in SMART
mode
The driving mode automaticallychanges to SMART SPORT, when
you abruptly accelerate the vehicle
or repetitively operate the steering
wheel (Your driving is categorized
to be sporty.). In this mode, your
vehicle drives in a lower gear for
abrupt accelerating/decelerating
and increases the engine brake
performance.
You may still sense the engine braking performance, even when
you release the accelerator pedal
in SMART SPORT mode. It is
because your vehicle remains in
lower gear over a certain period of
time for next acceleration. Thus, it
is a normal driving situation, not
indicating any malfunction.
The driving mode automatically changes to SMART SPORT mode
only in harsh driving situations. In
most of the normal driving situa-
tions, the driving mode sets to be
in SMART NORMAL mode.
i
Driving your vehicle
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Driving your vehicle
5
Hazardous Driving Conditions
When hazardous driving elements
are encountered such as water,
snow, ice, mud and sand, take the
below suggestions:
Drive cautiously and keep a longerbraking distance.
Avoid abrupt braking or steering.
When your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, or sand, use second
gear. Accelerate slowly to avoid
unnecessary wheel spin.
Put sand, rock salt, tire chains or other non-slip materials under the
wheels to provide additional trac-
tion while the vehicle becomes
stuck in ice, snow, or mud.
Rocking the Vehicle
If it is necessary to rock the vehicle
to free it from snow, sand, or mud,
first turn the steering wheel right and
left to clear the area around your
front wheels. Then, shift back and
forth between R (Reverse) and a for-
ward gear.
Try to avoid spinning the wheels, and
do not race the engine.
To prevent transmission wear, wait
until the wheels stop spinning before
shifting gears. Release the accelera-
tor pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal while
the transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking
motion that may free the vehicle.
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Downshifting with an automatic
transmission while driving on
slippery surfaces can cause an
accident. The sudden change in
tire speed could cause the tires
to skid. Be careful when down-
shifting on slippery surfaces.
WARNING
If the vehicle is stuck and
excessive wheel spin occurs,
the temperature in the tires can
increase very quickly. If the tires
become damaged, a tire blow
out or tire explosion can occur.
This condition is dangerous -
you and others may be injured.
Do not attempt this procedure if
people or objects are anywhere
near the vehicle.
If you attempt to free the vehicle,
the vehicle can overheat quickly,
possibly causing an engine
compartment fire or other dam-
age. Try to avoid spinning the
wheels as much as possible to
prevent overheating of either the
tires or the engine. DO NOT
allow the vehicle to spin the
wheels above 35 mph (56 km/h).
WARNING