Special Driving Conditions

Hazardous Driving Conditions

When driving in hazardous conditions such as water, snow, ice, mud, sand, or similar hazards, follow these suggestions:

• Drive carefully and allow extra stopping distance.
• Avoid sudden braking or steering.
• When braking without ABS, pump the brake pedal with light up-and-down motions while the vehicle is stopping.

Do not pump the brake pedal on a vehicle with ABS.

• If stuck in snow, mud, or sand, use second gear. Accelerate slowly to avoid spinning the wheels.
• Use sand, rock salt, or other non-slip material under the drive wheels to obtain traction when stuck on ice, in snow, or in mud.

WARNING - Downshifting

Do not downshift an automatic transaxle while driving on slippery surfaces. Sudden changes in tire speed may cause tire skidding and result in an accident.

Rocking the Vehicle

If it is necessary to rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand, or mud, first turn the steering wheel to the right and clear the area around the front wheels. Then shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and any forward gear on vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. Do not race the engine, and spin the wheels as little as possible. If you are still stuck after several attempts, have the vehicle towed out to avoid engine overheating and possible transmission damage.

WARNING - Sudden Vehicle Movement

Do not attempt to rock the vehicle if people or objects are nearby. The vehicle may suddenly move forward or backward once it becomes free.

WARNING - Rocking the Vehicle

Prolonged rocking may cause engine overheating, transmission damage or failure, and tire damage.

WARNING - Tire Spin

Do not spin the wheels, especially at speeds above 35 mph (56 km/h). Spinning wheels at high speed while the vehicle is stationary may overheat the tire, which may cause tire failure that could injure bystanders.

The ESC system must be turned OFF before rocking the vehicle.

Cornering Smoothly

Avoid braking or shifting gears in corners, especially when roads are wet. Ideally, corners should always be taken with smooth acceleration. If you follow these suggestions, tire wear will be minimized.

Night Driving

Because night driving presents more hazards than daytime driving, keep these important tips in mind:

• Slow down and keep a greater distance between you and other vehicles, as it may be more difficult to see at night, especially in areas where there may be no street lights.
• Adjust the mirrors to reduce glare from other drivers' headlights.
• Keep headlights clean and properly aimed. (On vehicles not equipped with automatic headlight aiming.) Dirty or misaimed headlights will make it much harder to see at night.
• Do not look directly at the headlights of oncoming vehicles. You may be temporarily blinded, and it will take your eyes several seconds to adjust to the darkness.

Driving in the Rain

Rain and wet roads can make driving hazardous, especially if you are not prepared for slippery pavement. Here are some things to consider when driving in the rain:

• Heavy rain will make it harder to see and increase the distance needed to stop the vehicle, so slow down.
• Keep the windshield wiper blades in good condition. Replace the windshield wiper blades when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield.
• If your tires are not in good condition, making a quick stop on a wet road surface may cause skidding and possibly result in an accident. Be sure your tires are in good condition.
• Turn on the headlights to make it easier for others to see you.
• Driving too fast through large puddles may affect your brakes. If you must drive through puddles, drive through them slowly.
• If you believe your brakes may have become wet, lightly apply them while driving until normal braking operation returns.

Driving in Flooded Areas

Avoid driving through flooded areas unless you are sure the water is not higher than the bottom of the wheel hub. Drive slowly through any water. Allow an adequate stopping distance because braking effectiveness may be affected.

After driving through water, dry the brakes by gently applying them several times while driving slowly.

Off-Road Driving

Drive carefully off-road, because your vehicle may be damaged by rocks or tree roots. Become familiar with the off-road conditions where you plan to drive before you start driving.

Highway Driving

Tires

Adjust tire pressure to the specification. Low tire pressure will cause overheating and may result in tire failure.

Avoid using worn or damaged tires, which may reduce traction or cause tire failure.

Never exceed the maximum tire pressure shown on the tire sidewall.

WARNING - Underinflated/Overinflated Tires

Always check tires for proper inflation before driving. Underinflated or overinflated tires can cause poor handling, loss of vehicle control, and sudden tire failure, leading to accidents, injury, or even death. For proper tire pressure information, refer to "Tires and Wheels" in chapter 8.

WARNING - Tire Tread

Always check the tire tread before driving the vehicle. Worn tires can cause loss of vehicle control. Worn tires should be replaced as soon as possible. For additional information and tread limits, refer to Tires and Wheels in Chapter 7.

Fuel, Engine Coolant, and Engine Oil

Traveling at high speed consumes more fuel than city driving. Be sure to check the engine coolant and engine oil.

Drive Belt

A loose or damaged drive belt may cause the engine to overheat.