Driving Techniques

In strong crosswinds, reduce speed to improve controllability.
Drive over curbs or obstacles slowly, preferably at a right angle.
Avoid driving over protruding sharp objects and bumps. Otherwise, tire rupture may occur.
When parking on a steep slope, turn the front wheels against the curb to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Apply the parking brake
and place the selector lever in P (automatic transmission) or engage first gear (manual transmission). If necessary, place wheel chocks under the wheels.
When washing the vehicle or driving through puddles, water may enter the brakes.
Check for water in the brakes by lightly depressing the pedal (making sure there is no traffic). If braking is weak, the brakes are wet.
To dry the brakes, apply the parking brake and, driving at low speed, lightly depress the pedal. If brake performance does not recover, pull over to the shoulder and call roadside assistance from an authorized service center.

* Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is released and the indicator lamp is off.

* Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running.

Do not keep your foot on the brake pedal while driving; otherwise the brakes will overheat and wear, and fuel economy will decrease.

When driving downhill for long distances or descending steep grades, reduce speed and shift to a lower gear.

Note that excessive brake use causes the brakes to overheat and braking efficiency to decrease.

When driving on slippery roads, exercise caution when accelerating, shifting up or down, and braking.

Sudden acceleration or engine braking may cause the vehicle to skid.

Do not drive with wet brakes, as braking distance increases and braking becomes uneven. In addition, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle.

Avoid driving through large puddles. Water entering the engine compartment will damage the engine and/or electrical equipment.

Driving characteristics of vehicles with 4x4 wheel arrangement

All tires must be of the same type and size.
Tire pressure must conform to specifications (refer to subsection 2.1).
To maintain drive system efficiency on all wheels, tire wear must be even on all wheels.
Rotate the wheels periodically (refer to subsection 2.6.7).
To improve traction when driving in mud, sand, or snow, fit snow chains to the front wheels.
Immediately after driving through difficult terrain (mud, water, etc.), check the brakes for proper operation.
When driving in severe conditions, shorten the periodic maintenance intervals.
Winter Driving Considerations
The cooling system must be filled with ethylene glycol-based coolant.

* Do not use alcohol-based coolant.

Check the condition of the battery and power cables.
Battery capacity decreases at low temperatures. Therefore, to start the engine in winter conditions, the battery must be fully charged and in good condition.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity matches the season.
Using summer-grade oil with high viscosity makes engine starting difficult. Consult an authorized service center regarding the selection of winter-grade oil.
Take measures against door lock freezing. To do this, drip special anti-icing lock fluid or glycerin into the lock cylinders. Warm the key before unlocking the door.
Fill the windshield washer reservoir with washer fluid containing special antifreeze. Do not use engine coolant antifreeze for washing the windows, as it damages the body paint.
In freezing conditions, do not apply the parking brake.
When parking, engage first gear or move the selector lever to the P position (automatic transmission). If moisture that has entered the mechanism freezes, the parking brake may not release the wheel.
Do not allow snow and ice to accumulate under the fenders, as this may restrict wheel turning.
When driving in snowy weather, stop from time to time and check for snow accumulation under the fenders.
When driving in severe winter conditions, it is recommended to carry certain equipment: tire chains, a snow shovel, a bag of sand or salt, emergency flares, jumper cables, and other items.