Page 329 of 608

3294-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
■Additional information for off-road driving
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your veh icle off-road,
consult the following organizations.
● State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
● State Motor Vehicle Bureau
● Recreational Vehicle Clubs
● U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management
WARNING
■ Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, seri-
ous injury or damage to your vehicle:
● Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving
in dangerous places.
● Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump
could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and espe-
cially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
● Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after dr iving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
● After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc. , check that
there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc., adheri ng or trapped
on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the
vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody,
a breakdown or fire could occur.
● When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss
of control or vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also
risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s suspension and chass is.
Page 406 of 608

4066-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever isin P, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-ance from the floor? ( P. 542)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play? ( P. 542)
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when
the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Clutch pedal
• Does the clutch pedal move smoothly?
• Does the clutch pedal have correct amount of
free play?
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake lever move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parkingbrake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
Page 453 of 608
4536-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■Front side marker lights (bulb type)
To allow enough working
space, turn the steering
wheel to the opposite side of
the bulb to be replaced.
Remove the fender liner clip
and screw.
Turn the steering wheel to the
left when replacing the right side
light bulb, and turn the steering
wheel to the right when replac-
ing the left side light bulb.
Open the fender liner and
turn the bulb counterclock-
wise.
1
2
Page 455 of 608
4556-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■Front fog lights (bulb type) (if equipped)
To allow enough working
space, turn the steering
wheel to the opposite side of
the bulb to be replaced.
Remove the fender liner clip
and screw.
Turn the steering wheel to the
left when replacing the right side
light bulb, and turn the steering
wheel to the right when replac-
ing the left side light bulb.
Open the fender liner and
unplug the connector while
depressing the lock release.
1
2
Page 466 of 608
4667-1. Essential information
WARNING
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
● Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the
brake pedal harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn.
Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the engine.
● Vehicles without a smart key system:
Never attempt to remove the key, as doing so will lock the stee ring wheel.
Page 470 of 608

4707-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using cables or chains secured to the emergen cy
towing hook(s). This should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads
for at most 50 miles (80 km) at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes . The
vehicle’s wheels, drivetrain, axles, steering and brakes must b e in
good condition.
Securely attach a cables or chains to the towing hook(s).
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Vehicles without a smart key system:
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.
If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to the “ON ” position.
Vehicles with a smart key system:
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.
If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to IGNITIO N ON mode.
4WD models: Put the front-wheel drive control switch in “2WD”.
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
Vehicles with an automatic trans mission: When the shift lever can-
not be shifted. ( P. 213)
■While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes a nd steering will
not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
Emergency towing
Emergency towing procedure
1
Ty p e AType B
2
3
4
Page 471 of 608

4717-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
and related parts may be damaged or an
accident may occur due to a change in
direction of the vehicle.
4WD models: Be sure to transport the
vehicle with all four wheels raised off the
ground. If the vehicle is towed with the
tires contacting the ground, the drivetrain
or related parts may be damaged, the
vehicle may fly off the truck.
■While towing
● When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc., which
place excessive stress on the towing hook(s), cables or chains. The tow-
ing hook(s), cables or chains may become damaged, broken debris may
hit people, and cause serious damage.
● Do not turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position (vehicles without a
smart key system) or off (vehicles with a smart key system).
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and ca nnot be
operated.
Page 472 of 608

4727-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck
● Vehicles without a smart key system:
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is in the
“LOCK” position or the key is removed.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● Vehicles with a smart key system:
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the engine switch is off.
The steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels
straight.
● When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the
vehicle could be damaged while being towed.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or re a r.
■ To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.