Cruise Control ........................................................................\
.........................6-80Cruise Control Operation ........................................................................\
..................6-80
Special Driving Conditions ........................................................................\
.....6-83Hazardous Driving Conditions ........................................................................\
.........6-83
Rocking the Vehicle ........................................................................\
..........................6-83
Smooth Cornering ........................................................................\
.............................6-84
Driving at Night ........................................................................\
.................................6-84
Driving in the Rain ........................................................................\
.............................6-84
Driving in Flooded Areas ........................................................................\
...................6-84
Highway Driving ........................................................................\
................................6-85
Reducing the risk of a rollover ........................................................................\
..........6-85
Winter Driving ........................................................................\
.........................6-86Snow or Icy Conditions ........................................................................\
.....................6-86
Winter Precautions ........................................................................\
.............................6-87
Vehicle load limit ........................................................................\
..................... 6-89Tire Loading Information Label ........................................................................\
........6-89
Trailer Towing ........................................................................\
..........................6-93
6
6. While Driving
While Driving
6-24
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
OQX059026L
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering maneuvers. ESC checks
where you are steering and where the
vehicle is actually going. ESC applies
braking pressure to any one of the
vehicle's brakes and intervenes in the
engine management system to assist the
driver with keeping the vehicle on the
intended path. It is not a substitute for
safe driving practices. Always adjust your
speed and driving to the road conditions.
WARNING
Never drive too fast for the road
conditions or too quickly when
cornering. The ESC system will not
prevent accidents.
Excessive speed in turns, abrupt
maneuvers, and hydroplaning on wet
surfaces can result in severe accidents.
ESC operation
ESC ON condition
When the ignition switch is in the
ON position, the ESC and the ESC
OFF indicator lights illuminate for
approximately three seconds. After both
lights go off, the ESC is enabled.
When operating
When the ESC is in operation,
the ESC indicator light blinks:
• When you apply your brakes under
conditions which may lock the wheels,
you may hear sounds from the brakes,
or feel a corresponding sensation in
the brake pedal. This is normal and it
means your ESC is active.
• When the ESC activates, the engine
may not respond to the accelerator as
it does under routine conditions.
• If the Cruise Control was in use when
the ESC activates, the Cruise Control
automatically disengages. The Cruise
Control can be reengaged when the
road conditions allow. See "Cruise
Control System" later in this chapter.
(if equipped)
• When moving out of the mud or
driving on a slippery road, the engine
RPM (revolutions per minute) may
not increase even if you press the
accelerator pedal deeply. This is to
maintain the stability and traction of
the vehicle and does not indicate a
problem.
While Driving
6-80
CRUISE CONTROL
Cruise Control Operation
OIK057157N
1. Cruise indicator
2. SET indicator
The Cruise Control system allows you to
drive at speeds above 20 MPH (30 km/h)
without depressing the accelerator
pedal.
WARNING
Take the following precautions:
• Always set the vehicle speed under
the speed limit.
• If the Cruise Control is left on,
(cruise indicator light in the
instrument cluster is illuminated)
the Cruise Control can be activated
unintentionally. Keep the Cruise
Control system off (cruise indicator
light OFF) when the Cruise Control
is not in use, to avoid inadvertently
setting a speed.
• Use the Cruise Control system only
when traveling on open highways in
good weather.
• Do not use the Cruise Control when it
may be unsafe to keep the vehicle at
a constant speed. •
Do not use when:
-Driving in heavy traffic or when
traffic conditions make it difficult
to drive at a constant speed
-Driving on rainy, icy, or snow-
covered roads
-Driving on hilly or windy roads
-Driving in windy areas
-Driving with limited view (possibly
due to bad weather such as fog,
snow, rain and sandstorm)
Information
• During normal cruise control
operation, when the SET switch is
activated or reactivated after applying
the brakes, the cruise control will
energize after approximately 3 seconds.
This delay is normal.
• Before activating the cruise control
function, the system will check to verify
that the brake switch is operating
normally. Depress the brake pedal at
least once after turning ON the ignition
or starting the engine.
06
6-81
To set Cruise Control speed
OQX069029N
1. Press the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel to turn the system on.
The cruise indicator will illuminate.
2. Accelerate to the desired speed,
which must be more than 20 MPH (30
km/h).
OQX069071L
3. Push the toggle switch down (SET-),
and release it.
4. Release the accelerator pedal.
Information
On a steep slope, the vehicle may slightly
slow down or speed up, while driving
uphill or downhill.
To increase Cruise Control speed
OQX069072L
• Push the toggle switch up (RES+)
and hold it, while monitoring the SET
speed on the instrument cluster.
The set speed will increase by 5 MPH
(8 km/h) increments.
Release the toggle switch when
the desired speed is shown and the
vehicle will accelerate to that speed.
• Push the toggle switch up (RES+) and
release it immediately. The cruising
speed will increase 1.0 MPH (1.6
km/h) each time the toggle switch is
operated in this manner.
• Depress the accelerator pedal. When
the vehicle attains the desired speed,
push the toggle switch down (SET-).
To decrease Cruise Control speed
OQX069071L
• Push the toggle switch down (SET-)
and hold it.Your vehicle will gradually
slow down. Release the toggle switch
at the speed you want to maintain.
While Driving
6-82
• Push the toggle switch down (SET-)
and release it immediately. The
cruising speed will decrease 1.0 MPH
(1.6 km/h) each time the toggle switch
is operated in this manner.
• Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the toggle switch down (SET-).
To temporarily accelerate with the
Cruise Control ON
Depress the accelerator pedal. When you
take your foot off the accelerator, the
vehicle will return to the previously set
speed.
If you push the toggle switch down (SET-)
at the increased speed, the Cruise Control
will maintain the increased speed.
Cruise Control will be canceled when:
OQX069075N
• Depressing the brake pedal.
• Pressing the CANCEL button located
on the steering wheel.
• Pressing the CRUISE button. Both the
cruise indicator and the "SET" indicator
will turn OFF.
• Moving the shift lever into N (Neutral).
(for automatic transmission/dual
clutch transmission vehicle)
• Decreasing the vehicle speed to less
than approximately 20 MPH (30 km/h).
• The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) is
operating.
• Downshifting to the 2nd gear in
manual shift mode. (for intelligent
variable transmission vehicle)
Information
Each of the above actions will cancel
Cruise Control operation (the "SET"
indicator in the instrument cluster will go
off), but only pressing the CRUISE button
will turn the system off. If you wish to
resume Cruise Control operation, push the
toggle switch up (RES+) located on your
steering wheel. You will return to your
previously preset speed, unless the system
was turned off using the CRUISE button.
To resume preset Cruising speed
OQX069072L
Push the toggle switch up (RES+). If the
vehicle speed is over 20 MPH (30 km/h),
the vehicle will resume the preset speed.
To turn Cruise Control off
OQX069029N
• Press the CRUISE button (the cruise
indicator light will go off).
• Turn the vehicle OFF.
While Driving
6-84
Smooth Cornering
Avoid braking or gear changing in
corners, especially when roads are wet.
Ideally, corners should always be taken
under gentle acceleration.
Driving at Night
Night driving presents more hazards than
driving in the daylight. Here are some
important tips to remember:
• Slow down and keep more distance
between you and other vehicles, as it
may be more difficult to see at night,
especially in areas where there may
not be any street lights.
• Adjust your mirrors to reduce the glare
from other driver's headlamps.
• Keep your headlamps clean and
properly aimed. Dirty or improperly
aimed headlamps will make it much
more difficult to see at night.
• Avoid staring directly at the
headlamps of oncoming vehicles. You
could be temporarily blinded, and it
will take several seconds for your eyes
to readjust to the darkness.
Driving in the Rain
Rain and wet roads can make driving
dangerous. Here are a few things to
consider when driving in the rain or on
slick pavement:
• Slow down and allow extra following
distance. A heavy rainfall makes
it harder to see and increases the
distance needed to stop your vehicle.
• Turn OFF your Cruise Control.
• Replace your windshield wiper blades
when they show signs of streaking or
missing areas on the windshield. •
Tires should be properly maintained
with at least 2/32nds of an inch of
tread depth. If your tires do not have
enough tread, making a quick stop on
wet pavement can cause a skid and
possibly lead to an accident. See "Tire
Tread" in chapter 8.
• Turn on your headlamps to make it
easier for others to see you.
• Driving too fast through large puddles
can affect your brakes. If you must go
through puddles, try to drive through
them slowly.
• If you believe your brakes may be wet,
apply them lightly while driving until
normal braking operation returns.
Hydroplaning
If the road is wet enough and you are
going fast enough, your vehicle may
have little or no contact with the road
surface and actually ride on the water.
The best advice is SLOW DOWN when
the road is wet.
The risk of hydroplaning increases as
the depth of tire tread decreases, refer
to "Tire Tread" in chapter 8.
Driving in Flooded Areas
Avoid driving through flooded areas
unless you are sure the water is no
higher than the bottom of the wheel hub.
Drive through any water slowly. Allow
adequate stopping distance because
brake performance may be reduced.
After driving through water, dry the
brakes by gently applying them several
times while the vehicle is moving slowly.