Safe Driving with 4WD

Before Driving

• Make sure all passengers are wearing their seat belts.
• Sit upright and closer to the steering wheel than usual. Adjust the steering wheel to a comfortable position.

Driving on Snowy or Icy Roads

• Start slowly by gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
• Use winter tires or tire chains.
• Maintain a sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Use engine braking when decelerating.
• Avoid excessive speed, rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and sharp turns to prevent skidding.

Driving on Sand or Mud

• Maintain a slow and steady speed.
• If necessary, use tire chains when driving on muddy roads.
• Maintain a sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Reduce vehicle speed and always check road conditions.
• Avoid excessive speed, rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and sharp turns to avoid getting stuck.

CAUTION

If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, place non-slip material under the drive wheels to provide traction. Or, slowly rock the vehicle by shifting between forward and reverse, which may free the vehicle. However, avoid running the engine at high speed continuously, as this may damage the 4WD system.

Driving Uphill or Downhill

• Driving Uphill
  - Before starting, check whether the vehicle can climb the hill.
  - Drive straight up the slope as much as possible.
• Driving Downhill
  - Do not shift gears while driving downhill. Select the gear before starting the descent.
  - Descend slowly, using engine braking.
  - Drive straight down the slope as much as possible.

WARNING

Exercise extreme caution when driving up or down steep slopes. The vehicle may overturn depending on the gradient, terrain, and water/mud conditions.

WARNING

Do not drive across the contour of steep hills. A small change in wheel angle may destabilize the vehicle, or a stable vehicle may lose stability if it stops moving forward. Your vehicle may overturn, resulting in serious injury or death.

Driving Through Water

• Avoid driving through deep standing water. This may stall the engine and clog the exhaust pipe.
• If you must drive through water, stop the vehicle, shift to 4WD LOCK mode, and drive at a speed of less than 8 km/h.
• Do not shift gears while driving through water.

CAUTION

Always drive slowly through water. If you drive too fast, water may enter the engine compartment and wet the ignition system, causing your vehicle to stall suddenly. Do not stop.

Additional Driving Conditions

• Before driving, familiarize yourself with off-road conditions.
• Always be attentive when driving off-road and avoid hazardous areas.
• Drive slowly in strong winds.
• Reduce vehicle speed when cornering. The center of gravity of 4WD vehicles is higher than that of regular vehicles, which increases the likelihood of rollover when turning quickly.

• Always hold the steering wheel firmly when driving off-road.

WARNING

Do not grip the inside of the steering wheel rim when driving off-road. Your hand may be injured by sudden steering wheel kickback or by impact with objects on the ground. You may lose control of the steering wheel, which may result in serious injury or death.