All-Wheel Drive

How All-Wheel Drive Works

All-Wheel Drive uses all four wheels to propel the vehicle. This increases traction and allows you to drive in terrain and road conditions where a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot. The All-Wheel Drive system engages as needed and requires no input from you.

Precautions When Driving an All-Wheel Drive Vehicle

All-Wheel Drive Limitations

If a non-matching spare tire is used on your vehicle, the all-wheel drive system may become limited in function. To fully restore all-wheel drive capability, replace the spare tire with a standard tire.

Different tire sizes between the front and rear axles may cause damage to the system or disable the all-wheel drive system.

Emergency Maneuvers

In an unexpected emergency requiring a sudden sharp turn, remember to avoid over-steering the vehicle. For example, turn the steering wheel only as quickly and as far as necessary to avoid the emergency. Apply the accelerator pedal or brake pedal smoothly, as needed. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration, and braking changes. Sudden changes may increase the risk of rollover, loss of vehicle control, and personal injury. Use all available road surfaces to bring the vehicle under control.

In an emergency stop, avoid skidding and do not make sudden steering movements.

Driving on Sand

When driving on sand, try to keep all four wheels on the firmest part of the track. Shift to a lower gear and drive smoothly through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly and avoid excessive wheel slip. Do not drive the vehicle on deep sand for an extended period of time. This will cause the system to overheat. A message appears in the information display.

Driving on Mud and Water

Mud

Be careful of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when driving in mud. Even all-wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in mud. If your vehicle skids, steer in the direction of the skid until you regain control of the vehicle.

After driving through mud, clean off any residue stuck to the rotating driveshafts and tires. Excessive mud buildup on the tires and rotating driveshafts may cause imbalance, which can damage drivetrain components.

Water

If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly. Water may reduce traction or braking capability.

Before driving through water, determine the depth and avoid water above the center of the wheel.

After driving through water, always test the brakes. Wet brakes will not stop your vehicle as quickly as dry brakes. Apply light pressure to the brake pedal while moving slowly to dry the brakes.

Driving on Hills or Inclined Terrain

Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to drive diagonally up or down a hill or steep slope, try to drive straight up or straight down.

Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much power will cause the tires to slip, spin, or lose traction, and you may lose control of the vehicle.

When descending a steep hill, do not coast downhill in neutral. Avoid sudden hard braking so that the front wheels keep rolling and the vehicle can be steered.

Driving on Snow and Ice

Avoid sudden applications of power and rapid changes of direction on snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting from a complete stop.

Avoid hard braking. Although an all-wheel drive vehicle accelerates better than a two-wheel drive vehicle on snow and ice, it cannot stop any faster. Braking still occurs on all four wheels. Do not become overconfident in road conditions.

Make sure you leave enough distance between your vehicle and other vehicles to stop. On ice and snow, drive slower than usual. In an emergency stop, apply the brake firmly and continuously. Your vehicle has a four-wheel anti-lock brake system. Do not pump the brake pedal.

All-Wheel Drive - Troubleshooting

All-Wheel Drive - Information Messages