All-Wheel Drive

Selecting AWD Mode

When AWD LOCK mode is deactivated, a jolt may be felt when the drive power is delivered entirely to the front wheels. This jolt is not a mechanical malfunction.

For Safe All-Wheel Drive Operation

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 for driving.

Driving on Snowy or Icy Roads

• Start slowly by applying the accelerator pedal gradually.
• Use winter tires or tire chains.
• Maintain a sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Use engine braking when decelerating by using the paddle shifters and manually selecting a lower gear.
• Avoid excessive speed, rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and sharp turns to prevent skidding.

Driving on Sand or Mud

• Maintain a slow and steady speed.
• Use snow chains when driving on muddy roads if necessary.
• 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 is stuck in snow, sand, or mud, place non-slip material under the wheels to provide traction, OR slowly rotate the wheels forward and in reverse to create a rocking motion that may free the vehicle. However, avoid running the engine continuously at high RPM, as this may damage the all-wheel drive system.

Driving Uphill or Downhill

• Driving uphill
  - Before starting, check that you can drive uphill.
  - Drive straight as much as possible.
• Driving downhill
  - Do not shift gears while driving downhill. Select the gear before starting the descent.
  - Drive slowly using engine braking during the descent.
  - Drive straight as much as possible.

WARNING

Exercise extreme caution when driving up or down steep slopes. The vehicle may roll over depending on the grade, terrain, and road conditions.

WARNING

Do not drive beyond the contour of steep hills. A slight change in wheel angle may destabilize the vehicle, or a stable vehicle may lose stability if it stops its forward movement. Your vehicle may roll over and cause serious injury or death.

Driving Through Water

• Avoid driving in deep water. This may stall the engine and flood the exhaust system.
• If you need to drive through water, stop the vehicle, set it to AWD LOCK mode, and drive at under 5 mph (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 stop suddenly.

Additional Driving Conditions

• Become familiar with off-road conditions before driving.
• 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 all-wheel drive vehicles is higher than that of regular vehicles, making them more likely to roll over when you turn corners 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 a sudden steering wheel turn during evasive maneuvers, or by steering wheel kickback when hitting objects on the ground. You may lose control of the steering wheel, which may result in serious injury or death.