Driving Your Vehicle6-52
The severe weather conditions of winter quickly wear out tires and cause other
problems. To minimize winter driving problems, you should take the following
suggestions:
Snow or Icy Conditions
You need to keep sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of
you.
Apply the brakes gently. Speeding, rapid acceleration, sudden brake applications, and
sharp turns are potentially very hazardous practices. During deceleration, use engine
braking to the fullest extent. Sudden brake applications on snowy or icy roads may
cause the vehicle to skid.
To drive your vehicle in deep snow, it may be necessary to use snow tires or to install
tire chains on your tires.
Always carry emergency equipment. Some of the items you may want to carry include
tire chains, tow straps or chains, a flashlight, emergency flares, sand, a shovel, jumper
cables, a window scraper, gloves, ground cloth, coveralls, a blanket, etc.
Snow tires
WARNING
Snow tires should be equivalent in size and type to the vehicle’s standard tires.
Otherwise, the safety and handling of your vehicle may be adversely affected.
We recommend that you use snow tires when road temperature is below 45°F (7°C).
Refer to the below chart, and mount the recommended snow tire for your vehicle.
Standard tire Recommended snow tire
Front RearFront Rear
Tire size Wheel
size Tire size Wheel
size Tire size Wheel
size Tire size Wheel
size
225/45R18 8.0Jx18 225/45R18 8.0Jx18 225/45R18
8.0Jx18 225/45R18 8.0Jx18
225/40R19 8.0Jx19 255/35R19 8.5Jx19
225/40R19 8.0Jx19 255/35R19 8.5Jx19 225/45R18 8.0Jx18 225/45R18 8.0Jx18
225/40R19 8.0Jx19 255/35R19 8.5Jx19
If you mount snow tires on your vehicle, make sure to use the same Inflation pressure
as the original tires. Mount snow tires on all four wheels to balance your vehicle’s
handling in all weather conditions. The traction provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your vehicle’s original equipment tires. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommendations.
WINTER DRIVING
Driving Your Vehicle6-56
Do not let your parking brake freeze
Under some conditions your parking
brake can freeze in the engaged position.
This is most likely to happen when there
is an accumulation of snow or ice around
or near the rear brakes or if the brakes
are wet. When there is the risk that your
parking brake may freeze, temporarily
apply it with the gear in P (Park). Also,
block the rear wheels in advance, so the
vehicle may not roll. Then, release the
parking brake.
Do not let ice and snow accumulate
underneath
Under some conditions, snow and ice
can build up under the fenders and
interfere with the steering. When driving
in such conditions during the severe
winter, you should check underneath
the vehicle on a regular basis, to ensure
that the front wheels and the steering
components is unblocked. Carry emergency equipment
In accordance with weather conditions,
you should carry appropriate emergency
equipment, while driving. Some of the
items you may want to carry include tire
chains, tow straps or chains, flashlight,
emergency flares, sand, shovel, jumper
cables, window scraper, gloves, ground
cloth, coveralls, blanket, etc.
Do not place objects or materials in the
engine compartment
Putting objects or materials in the engine
compartment may cause an engine
failure or combustion, because they may
block the engine cooling. Such damage
will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
Drive your vehicle when water vapor
condenses and accumulates inside the
exhaust pipes
When the vehicle is stopped for a
long time in winter while the engine is
running, water vapor may condense and
accumulate inside the exhaust pipes.
Water in the exhaust pipes may cause
noise, etc., but it is drained driving at
medium to high speed.
06
6-59
Vehicle capacity weight
904 lbs. (410 kg)
Vehicle capacity weight is the maximum
combined weight of occupants and
cargo. If your vehicle is equipped with a
trailer, the combined weight includes the
tongue load.
Seating capacity
Total : 5 persons (Front seat : 2 persons, Rear seat : 3 persons)
Seating capacity is the maximum
number of occupants including a driver,
your vehicle may carry. However, the
seating capacity may be reduced based
upon the weight of all of the occupants,
and the weight of the cargo being carried
or towed. Do not overload the vehicle as
there is a limit to the total weight, or load
limit including occupants and cargo, the
vehicle can carry.
Towing capacity
We do not recommend using this vehicle
for trailer towing.
Cargo capacity
The cargo capacity of your vehicle will
increase or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occupants
and the tongue load, if your vehicle is
equipped with a trailer.
Steps for determining correct load
limit
1. Locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on
your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example,
if the "XXX" amount equals 1400
lbs. and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
WARNING
Do not overload the vehicle as there
is a limit to the total weight, or load
limit, including occupants and cargo,
the vehicle can carry. Overloading can
shorten the life of the vehicle. If the
GVWR or the GAWR is exceeded, parts
on the vehicle can be broken, and it can
change the handling of your vehicle.
These could cause you to lose control
and result in an accident.
Driving Your Vehicle6-62
WARNING
If you carry items inside your vehicle
(for example, suitcases, tools, packages,
or anything else), they are moving as
fast as the vehicle. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, the
items will keep going and can cause
an injury if they strike the driver or a
passenger.
[ Put items in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
[ Do not stack items like suitcases
inside the vehicle above the tops of
the seats.
[ Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
[ When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it.
TRAILER TOWING
We do not recommend using this vehicle
for trailer towing.