2007 Jeep Patriot Owners Manual

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tem- peratures while the red area indicates warmer tempera- tures. If your air conditioning performance seems NOTE: lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con- denser: located in front of the radiator, for an accumula- tion of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray from behind the radiator and through the condenser. Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce air flow to the condenser, reducing air conditioning performance. Air Conditioning MAX A/C For maximum cooling use the A/C and recirculate buttons at the same time. NOTE: See “Circulation Control” later in this section, for proper or extended use of this position. Air Conditioning (Normal) Use this button to engage the Air Conditioning. A lamp will illuminate when the Air Con- ditioning System is engaged. Once the air conditioning is engaged, use a combination of fan speed control, and tempera- ture control to achieve your desired interior temperature. NOTE: The air conditioning compressor will not engage until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds. the mode control, UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 227 Circulation Control Use this button to choose be- tween outside air intake or recirculation of the air inside the vehicle. A lamp will illu- minate when you are in recir- culate mode. Only use the re- circulate mode to temporarily block out any outside odors, smoke, or dust and to cool the interior rapidly upon initial start up in very hot or humid weather. 228 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL NOTE: Continuous use of the recirculate mode may make the inside air stuffy and window fogging may occur. Extended use of this mode is not recommended. In cold or damp weather, the use of the Recirculate position will cause windows to fog on the inside because of moisture build up inside the vehicle. For maximum defogging, select the Outside Air position. NOTE: Recirculation Mode will not operate in floor, mix or defrost modes. Air Filtration System – If Equipped An air filter is included in the optional Security Group. Filter media includes a particle filtration layer and a charcoal layer. The filter will reduce, but not eliminate, diesel and agricultural smells. The filter acts only on air coming from outside the vehicle; it does not filter air inside the passenger compartment. See the maintenance schedule for the filter change interval. The air filter change interval coincides with engine oil and filter change intervals. As with oil changes, the interval is shorter for heavy duty service or dusty conditions. See your authorized dealer for service. Operating Tips UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 229 230 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL Window Fogging Vehicle side windows tend to fog on the inside in mild rainy or humid weather. To clear the windows, set mode to the mix or defrost position. Direct the panel outlets toward the side windows. Do not use recirculate without A/C for long periods as fogging may occur. Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re- moved by using the defrost position. If the fogging problem persists, clean the inside window surfaces. The cause of undue fogging may be dirt collect- ing on the inside surface of the glass. NOTE: In cold weather, the use of the recircu- late position will cause windows to fog on the inside because of moisture build up inside the vehicle. For maximum defogging, press the recirculation button until recirculate is off. Summer Operation Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high- quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point of the coolant for protection against overheating. A 50% concentration is recommended. Outside Air Intake When operating the system during the winter months, make sure the air intake, directly in front of the wind- shield, is free of ice, slush, snow or other obstructions such as leaves. Leaves collected in the air-intake plenum may reduce air flow and plug the plenum water drains. The blower air will heat faster in cold weather if you use only a low blower speed for the first few minutes of vehicle operation. Side Window Demisters A side window demister outlet is at each end of the instrument panel. These nonadjustable outlets direct air UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 231 toward the side windows when the system is in either the FLOOR, MIX, or DEFROST mode. The air is directed at the area of the windows through which you view the outside mirrors. STARTING AND OPERATING CONTENTS m Starting Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 N Automatic Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 N Manual Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 N Normal Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 N Extremely Cold Weather (Below 220°F Or 229°C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 N If Engine Fails To Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 N After Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239 m Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 240 N Brake/Transmission Interlock System . . . . . . . 241 N Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System . 241 N Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable Automatic Transaxle (CVT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 m Manual Transaxle Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 N Recommended Shift Speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 N Downshifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 m Four Wheel Drive System — If Equipped . . . . . . 246 m Patriot Freedom Drive II – Safe Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 234 STARTING AND OPERATING N Off-Road Driving Tips And Vehicle Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 N Freedom Drive II 4WD System Operation . . . . 248 N Freedom Drive II – Off-Road Features . . . . . . . 249 N High Mobility Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 N Water Fording Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 N The Basics Of Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 254 N When To Use Low (L Off-Road) With The 4WD Lock Lever Engaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 N Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation . . 255 N Driving In Snow, Mud And Sand . . . . . . . . . . 255 N Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High Points) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 N Hill Climbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 N Driving Through Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 N Airing Down For Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . 265 N Vehicle Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 N After Driving Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 m Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 m Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 N Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 m Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 m Tire Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 N Tire Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 N Tire Identification Number (TIN) . . . . . . . . . . 280 N Tire Loading And Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . 281 m Tires — General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 N Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 N Tire Inflation Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 N Radial-Ply Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 N Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 289 N Limited Use Spare — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 290 N Tire Spinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 N Tread Wear Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 N Life Of Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292 N Replacement Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292 N Alignment And Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 m Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 STARTING AND OPERATING 235 N Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Operation – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 N Premium System – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . 296 N General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 m Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 m Snow Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 m Tire Rotation Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 m Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 N Gasoline Engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 N Reformulated Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 N Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 N MMT In Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 N Materials Added To Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 236 STARTING AND OPERATING m Adding Fuel N Fuel System Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 N Carbon Monoxide Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 N Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 N Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message . . . . . . . . . . . . 308 m Vehicle Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 N Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) . . . . . . . 309 m Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 N Common Towing Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 N Trailer Hitch Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 N Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 N Trailer And Tongue Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 N Towing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 N Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320 m Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 322 N Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The Ground) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322 STARTING PROCEDURES Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts. WARNING! Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seri- ously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in the ignition. A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle. STARTING AND OPERATING 237 WARNING! Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries. Automatic Transaxle The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes before shifting to any driving gear. NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting out of Park. 238 STARTING AND OPERATING Manual Transaxle Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake, press the clutch pedal to the floor and place the gear selector in NEUTRAL. NOTE: The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is pressed to the floor. If key won’t turn and steering wheel is locked, NOTE: rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve pressure on the locking mechanism and then turn the key. Normal Starting Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal. Simply turn the ignition switch to the “START’” position and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure. WARNING! Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans- axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done improp- erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See section 6 of this manual for jump starting instructions. Extremely Cold Weather (below 220°F or 229°C) To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an externally powered electric engine block heater (available from your dealer) is recommended. STARTING AND OPERATING 239 CAUTION! To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again. After Starting The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine warms up. If Engine Fails to Start If the engine fails to start after you have followed the “NORMAL STARTING” procedure, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than 15 seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the “NORMAL STARTING” procedure. WARNING! Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing serious personal injury. 240 STARTING AND OPERATING AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE — IF EQUIPPED complete stop. † Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to a † Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle speed. † Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed. † Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. NOTE: You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down while shifting out of Park. Automatic Shift Lever CAUTION! Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following precautions are not observed: WARNING! It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. Brake/Transmission Interlock System This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is pressed. This system is active only while the ignition switch is in the ON or ACC positions. Always depress the brake pedal first, before moving the gear selector out of PARK. STARTING AND OPERATING 241 If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not NOTE: shift out of park. Battery power is required to release the brake/transmission interlock system. There is a remov- able plug in the right side of the shifter housing that allows you to insert your finger to override the system. The key must be in the ignition and in the on position to use the override lever. If this occurs obtain service as soon as possible. Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System This system prevents the key from being removed unless the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of PARK unless the key is in the ACC or ON positions, and the brake pedal is depressed. If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the NOTE: key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain service. 242 STARTING AND OPERATING Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable Automatic Transaxle (CVT) DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL positions into another gear range. “P” Park Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis- sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always apply the parking brake first, and then place the selector in P (Park) position. WARNING! Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the key is removed from the ignition, the transmission shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further- more, you should never leave children unattended inside a vehicle. The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P (Park) position: the way forward until it stops. † When shifting into P (Park), firmly move the lever all † Look at the shift indicator window on the console to † You must depress the brake pedal to move the shift ensure it is in the P (Park) position. lever out of the P (Park) position. CAUTION! Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other- wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could result. You must also depress the brake pedal. “R” Reverse Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. STARTING AND OPERATING 243 “N” Neutral Engine may be started in this range. “D” This should be used for most driving and provides the best ratio for optimum driveability, fuel economy, and performance. “L” Low This range should be used for maximum engine braking when descending steep grades. In this range, the trans- axle will ratio up only to prevent transaxle damage or engine over speed while ratioing down will occur as early as possible 244 STARTING AND OPERATING MANUAL TRANSAXLE OPERATION WARNING! You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended without having the parking brake fully applied. The parking brake should al- ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle, especially on an incline. Fully depress the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera- tor pedal. 5 – Speed Shift Pattern Use each gear in numerical order - do not skip a gear. Be sure the transaxle is in FIRST gear, (not THIRD), when starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch can result from starting in THIRD. For most city driving you will find it easier to use only the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light accelerations, 5th gear is recommended. Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the clutch. Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a complete stop. NOTE: During cold weather, until the transaxle lubri- cant is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the transaxle. STARTING AND OPERATING 245 Recommended Shift Speeds To use your manual transaxle for optimal fuel economy, it should be upshifted as listed in table. Manual Transaxle Recommended Shift Speeds Units in mph (km/h) Engine Size All En- gines Accel- eration Rate Accel Cruise 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 14 (23) 12 (19) 23 (37) 18 (29) 29 (47) 25 (40) 45 (72) 32 (52) Downshifting Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and prolong engine life. 246 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! If you skip more than one gear while downshifting or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could damage the engine, transmission, or clutch. To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift down to 2nd or 1st when descending a steep grade. When turning a corner, or driving up a steep grade, downshift early so that the engine will not be overbur- dened. Four Wheel Drive System — If Equipped This feature provides full time, on-demand, Four Wheel Drive (4WD). Four Wheel Drive Switch Where one or more wheels have wheel spin or if addi- tional traction is needed in sand, deep snow, or loose traction surfaces, activate the 4WD Lock switch by pull- ing up once and releasing. This locks the center coupling allowing more torque to be sent to the rear wheels. The amber 94WD9 light will come on in the cluster. This can be done on the fly, at any vehicle speed. To deactivate, simply pull on the switch one more time. The cluster light will then go out. NOTE: Refer to ”ESP (Electronic Stability Program) in the “Electronic Brake Control System” section of this manual for additional information. PATRIOT FREEDOM DRIVE II – SAFE OFF-ROAD DRIVING Off-Road Driving Tips and Vehicle Characteristics The Patriot with the Freedom Drive II Off-Road package has excellent on and off-road capabilities. These off-road capabilities will allow you to explore those wilderness trails where few travel, providing a source of exciting and STARTING AND OPERATING 247 satisfying recreation. Before you venture out you should contact your local governmental agency to determine what are the designated off-road vehicle (ORV) trails or recreation areas. You should always tread lightly and only use established roads, trails or ORV recreational areas. The National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Man- agement or local Department of Natural Resources are a wealth of information and usually have maps with marked trails. For optimum off-road performance, premium NOTE: fuel recommended. However, your vehicle is is equipped with an active spark knock system and can adjust the engine calibration for varying range of fuel octane levels. The Patriot’s Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package The Jeep Patriot with the Freedom Drive II has excellent capability on and off-road. 248 STARTING AND OPERATING @ 4400 rpm) The package includes: † 2.4L DOHC 16-Valve I4 (172 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 165 lb-ft † Second generation continuously variable transaxle (CVT2L) with 19:1 crawl ratio † Tow Hooks: 2 front and 1 rear † Front engine and transaxle skid plate † Fuel tank skid plate † Air filtration system † Unique springs for a 1 inch of increased ride height † Fog lamps † Seat height adjust † Three-mode Electronic Stability Program (ESP) † Hill-descent control cooler, High capacity cooling fans) road performance with premium fuel † Unique off-road engine calibration for optimum off- † Off-road Brake Traction Control † Unique off-road Anti-lock brake calibration † Heavy duty cooling package (Eng/larger CVT oil † Heavy duty alternator † Improved body sealing and high located drivetrain † Reinforced rear lateral links Freedom Drive II 4WD System Operation Under normal driving conditions, the vehicle operates in the active four wheel drive mode. Pulling up on the 4WD lock lever activates the 4WD system and lights the amber 4WD cluster light. This commands a higher torque to the rear wheels, for improved traction capability on slippery component vents roads. The active four wheel drive mode has the same functionality with the Freedom Drive I system. Shifting the transaxle gear select lever into Low Off-Road mode with the 4WD lock lever active, lights the amber off-road and 4WD cluster lights. This off-road mode gives the combined benefits of a 19:1 crawl ratio, hill descent braking, optimum off-road performance with premium fuel, and off-road brake traction control for improved traction capability off-road. In low, the transaxle (CVT2L) initially maintains the 19:1 crawl ratio before changing ratio. This low ratio is ideal for crawling over obstacles. Freedom Drive II – Off-Road Features The following are key off-road features which are active when the system has the 4WD lock lever engaged and is in the Low Off-Road mode. † Hill descent Braking – Hill descent braking uses the vehicle braking system to provide a controlled descent down varying grades. This feature is only active when STARTING AND OPERATING 249 the system has the 4WD lock lever engaged and is in the Low Off-Road mode or reverse. Hill descent braking can be turned off by turning off ESP. The hill decent control speed varies between 4-6 mph (6 -10 km/h) forward, 3 mph (5 km/h) reverse. † Off-Road Brake Traction Control – When conditions warrant, the vehicle braking system transfers torque from side to side. It does not control throttle input traction control which is active in unlike normal normal drive mode. † 19.1 Crawl Ratio – When the system has the 4WD lock lever engaged and is in the Low Off-Road mode, the CVT2L initially maintains the 19:1 crawl ratio before changing ratio. This low ratio is ideal for crawling over obstacles. † 4WD Lock Mode – Four wheel drive lock mode commands a higher torque to the rear wheels, for 250 STARTING AND OPERATING improved traction capability off-road. It also, turns on other system features in conjunction with L Off-Road mode. † Unique Engine Calibration – When the system has the 4WD lock lever engaged and is in the Low Off-Road mode or reverse, the engine calibration changes to run higher spark advance with premium fuel for optimum off-road performance. Your vehicle is equipped with an active spark knock system and can adjust the engine calibration for varying range of fuel octane levels. High Mobility Characteristics The Patriot with the Freedom Drive II Off-Road package has high off-road mobility characteristics with an ap- proach angle A= 29 degrees, a break-over angle B= 23 degrees, a running ground clearance C= 9 ins. (23 cm), a departure angle D= 33 degrees, and a turning circle of 35.6 ft. (11 m). STARTING AND OPERATING 251 Angles A B C D 252 STARTING AND OPERATING Water Fording Characteristics Water Fording Characteristics is the vehicle’s ability to cross a body of still water, where the powertrain and drivetrain are safe from water ingestion. The Patriot with the Freedom Drive II Off-Road package has high water fording characteristics with the ability to cross a pool of water, without stopping, 19 ins. (48 cm) deep at a maximum speed of 5 mph (8 km/h) with an entrance ramp angle of 1.3 degrees. STARTING AND OPERATING 253 Water Fording Characteristics 254 STARTING AND OPERATING The Basics of Off-Road Driving You will encounter many types of terrain driving off- road. You should be familiar with the terrain and area before proceeding. There are many types of surface conditions: hard packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow and ice. Every surface has a different effect on your vehicle’s steering, handling and traction. Control- ling your vehicle is one of the keys to successful off-road driving, so always keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and maintain a good driving posture. Avoid sudden accelerations, turns or braking. In most cases there are no road signs, posted speed limits or signal lights. Therefore you will need to use your own good judgment on what is safe and what isn’t. When on a trail you should always be looking ahead for surface obstacles and changes in terrain. The key is to plan your future driving route while remembering what you are currently driving over. CAUTION! Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other combustible materials. The heat from your vehicle exhaust system could cause a fire. WARNING! Always wear your seat belt and firmly tie down cargo. Unsecured cargo can become projectiles in an off-road situation. When To Use Low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD Lock Lever Engaged When To Use Low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD Lock Lever Engaged When driving off-road, shift into low (L Off-Road) and activate the 4WD Lock. This will provide additional traction and activates the numerous off-road features to improve handling and control on slippery or difficult terrain. Due to the sustained lower gearing, low (L Off-Road) with 4WD Lock engaged will allow the engine to operate in a higher power range. This will allow you to cross over obstacles and descend hills, with improved control and less effort. Simultaneous Brake And Throttle Operation Many off-road driving conditions require the simulta- neous use of the brake and throttle (two footed driving). When climbing rocks, logs, or other stepped objects, using light brake pressure with light throttle will keep the vehicle from jerking or lurching. This technique is also used when you need to stop and restart a vehicle on a steep incline. STARTING AND OPERATING 255 Driving in Snow, Mud and Sand There is a drastic reduction in traction when driving in snow, mud or sand. The vehicle will be less responsive to steering, acceleration and braking inputs. Therefore you should accelerate slowly, leave greater stopping distances and avoid abrupt vehicle maneuvers. You want to keep a slow constant steady pace. The key is to maintain the vehicle’s momentum. † Snow – In heavy snow or for additional control and traction at slower speeds, activate the 4WD Lock and shift the transmission to a low (L Off-Road) if neces- sary. Don’t shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction will be lost. If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4; turn quickly back and forth, while still applying throttle. This will allow the tires to get a fresh 9bite9 and help maintain your momentum. 256 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! On icy or slippery roads, do not downshift at high engine rpm’s or vehicle speeds because engine brak- ing may cause skidding and loss of control. † Mud – Deep mud creates a great deal of suction around the tires and is very difficult to get through. You should use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD Lock engaged and maintain your momentum. If you start to slow to a stop, try turning your steering wheel no more than a 1/4; turn quickly back and forth for additional traction. Mud holes pose an increased threat of vehicle damage and getting stuck. They are normally full of debris from previous vehicles getting stuck. As a good practice before entering any mud hole, get out and determine how deep it is, if there are any hidden obstacles and if the vehicle can be safely recovered if stuck. † Sand – Soft sand is very difficult to travel through with full tire pressure. When crossing soft sandy spots in a trail maintain your vehicle’s momentum and do not stop. The key to driving in soft sand is to use the appropriate tire pressure, accelerating slowly, avoid- ing abrupt maneuvers and maintaining the vehicle’s momentum. If you are going to be driving on large soft sandy areas or dunes, reduce your tire pressure to a minimum of 15 psi (103 kPa) to allow for a greater tire surface area. You should use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD Lock engaged and ESP turned off. Reduced tire pressure will drastically improve your traction and handling, while driving on the soft sand, but you must return the tires to normal air pressure before driving on pavement or other hard surfaces. Be sure you have a way to air the tires back up prior to reducing the pressure. CAUTION! Reduced tire pressures may cause tire unseating and total loss of air pressure. To reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a reduced tire pressure, reduce your speed and avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. STARTING AND OPERATING 257 Keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel, bring the vehicle to a complete stop and then inch the vehicle forward until it makes contact with the object. Apply the throttle lightly while holding a light brake pressure and ease the vehicle up and over the object. WARNING! Crossing obstacles can cause abrupt steering system loading which could cause you to loose control of your vehicle. Crossing Obstacles (Rocks And Other High Points) While driving off road, you will encounter many types of terrain. These varying types of terrain bring different types of obstacles. Before proceeding review the path ahead to determine the correct approach and your ability to safely recover the vehicle if something goes wrong. Using A Spotter There are many times where it is hard to see the obstacle or determine the correct path. Determining the correct path can be extremely difficult when you are confronting many obstacles. In these cases have someone guide you over, through, or around the obstacle. Have the person 258 STARTING AND OPERATING stand a safe distance in front of you where they can see the obstacle, watch your tires and undercarriage, and guide you through. Crossing Large Rocks When approaching large rocks, choose a path which ensures you drive over the largest of them with your tires. This will lift your undercarriage over the obstacle. The tread of the tire is tougher and thicker than the side wall and is designed to take the abuse. Always look ahead and make every effort to cross the large rocks with your tires. CAUTION! Never attempt to straddle a rock that is large enough to strike your axles or undercarriage. CAUTION! Never attempt to drive over a rock which is large enough to contact the door sills. Crossing A Ravine, Gully, Ditch, Washout Or Rut When crossing a ravine, gully, ditch, washout or a large rut, the angled approach is the key to maintaining your vehicle’s mobility. Approach these obstacles at a 45- degree angle and let each tire go through the obstacle independently. You need to use caution when crossing large obstacles with steep sides. Do not attempt to cross any large obstacle with steep sides at an angle great enough to put the vehicle at risk of a roll over. If you get caught in a rut, dig a small trench to the right or left at a 45-degree angle ahead of the front tires. Use the removed dirt to fill the rut ahead of the turnout you just created. You should now be able to drive out following the trench you just created at a 45-degree angle. WARNING! There is an increased risk of roll over when crossing an obstacle, at any angle, with steep sides. Crossing Logs To cross a log, approach it at a slight angle (approxi- mately 10 to 15 degrees). This allows one front tire to be on top of the log while the other just starts to climb the log. While climbing the log, modulate your brake and accelerator to avoid spinning the log out from under your tires. Then ease the vehicle off the log using your brakes. STARTING AND OPERATING 259 CAUTION! Do not attempted to cross a log with a greater diameter than the running ground clearance or the vehicle will become high centered. Getting High Centered If you get hung up or high centered on an object, get out of the vehicle and try to determine what the vehicle is hung up on, where it is contacting the underbody and what is the best direction to recover the vehicle. Depend- ing on what you are in contact with, jack the vehicle up and place a few rocks under the tires so the weight is off of the high point when you let the vehicle down. You can also try rocking the vehicle or winching the vehicle off the object. 260 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! Winching or rocking the vehicle off hard objects increases the risk of underbody damage. Hill Climbing Hill climbing requires good judgment and a good under- standing of your abilities and your vehicle’s limitations. Hills can cause serious problems. Some are just too steep to climb and should not be attempted. You should always feel confident with the vehicle and your abilities. You should always climb hills straight up and down. Never attempt to climb a hill on an angle. † Before Climbing A Steep Hill – As you approach a hill consider its grade or steepness. Determine if it is too steep. Look to see what the traction is on the hill side trail. Is the trail straight up and down? What is on top and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks, branches or other obstacles on the path? Can you safely recover the vehicle if something goes wrong? If everything looks good and you feel confident, then you should use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD Lock engaged and proceed with caution maintaining your momentum as you climb the hill † Driving Up Hill – Once you have determined your ability to proceed and have shifted into the appropri- ate gear, line your vehicle up for the straightest possible run. Accelerate with an easy constant throttle and apply more power as you start up the hill. Do not race forward into a steep grade, the abrupt change of grade could cause you to lose control. If the front end begins to bounce, ease off the throttle slightly to bring all four tires back on the ground. As you approach the crest of the hill ease off the throttle and slowly proceed over the top. If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by turning the steering wheel no more than a 1/4; turn quickly back and forth. This will provide a fresh 9bite9 into the surface and will usually provide enough traction to complete the climb. If you do not make it to the top, place the vehicle in reverse and back straight down the grade using engine resistance along with the vehicle brakes. WARNING! Never attempt to climb a hill at an angle or turn around on a steep grade. Driving across an incline increases the risk of a roll over, which may result in severe injury. † Driving Down Hill – Before driving down a steep hill you need to determine if it is too steep for a safe descent. What is the surface traction? Is the grade too steep to maintain a slow controlled descent? Are there obstacles? Is it a straight descent? Is there plenty of STARTING AND OPERATING 261 distance at the base of the hill to regain control if the vehicle descends to fast? If you feel confident in your ability to proceed then make sure you are in low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD Lock engaged and proceed with caution. Allow engine and hill descent braking to control the descent and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock. WARNING! Do not descend a steep grade in neutral. Use vehicle brakes in conjunction with engine braking. Descend- ing a grade too fast could cause you to lose control and be seriously injured. † Driving Across An Incline – If at all possible avoid driving across an incline. If it is necessary, know your vehicle’s abilities. Driving across an incline places more weight on the down hill wheels, which increases 262 STARTING AND OPERATING the possibilities of a down hill slide or roll over. Make sure the surface has good traction with firm and stable soils. If possible transverse the incline at an angle heading slightly up or down. WARNING! Driving across an incline increases the risk of a roll over, which may result in severe injury. † If You Stall Or Begin To Lose Headway – If you stall or begin to lose headway while climbing a steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift to R (Reverse). Back slowly down the hill allowing engine and hill descent braking to control the descent and apply your brakes if necessary, but do not allow the tires to lock WARNING! If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never attempt to turn around. To do so may result in tipping and rolling the vehicle, which may result in severe injury. Always back carefully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never back down a hill in N (Neutral) using only the vehicle brakes. Never drive diagonally across a hill, always drive straight up or down Driving Through Water Extreme care should be taken crossing any type of water. Water crossings should be avoided if possible and only be attempted when necessary, in a safe responsible manner. You should only drive through areas which are designated and approved. You should tread lightly and avoid damage to the environment. You should know your vehicles abilities and be able to recover it if some- thing goes wrong. You should never stop or shut a vehicle off when crossing deep water unless you ingested water into the engine air intake. If the engine stalls do not attempt to restart it. Determine if it has ingested water first. The key to any crossing is low and slow. You want to use low (L Off-Road) with the 4WD Lock engaged and proceed very slowly with a constant slow speed {3-5 mph (5–8 km/h) maximum} and light throttle. Keep the ve- hicle moving; do not try to accelerate through the cross- ing. After crossing any water higher than the bottom of the axle differentials, you should inspect all of the vehicle fluids for signs of water ingestion. STARTING AND OPERATING 263 CAUTION! Water ingestion into the axles, transmission, transfer case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if you drive too fast or through too deep of water. Water can cause permanent damage to engine, driveline or other vehicle components and your brakes will be less effective once wet and/or muddy. 264 STARTING AND OPERATING † Before You Cross Any Type Of Water – As you approach any type of water you need to determine if you can cross it safely and responsibly. If necessary, get out and walk through the water or probe it with a stick. You need to be sure of its depth, approach angle, current and bottom condition. Be careful of murky or muddy waters, check for hidden obstacles. Make sure you will not be intruding on any wildlife and you can recover the vehicle if necessary. The key to a safe crossing is the water depth, current and bottom con- ditions. On soft bottoms the vehicle will sink in, effectively increasing the water level on the vehicle. Be sure to consider this when determining the depth and the ability to safely cross † Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or Other Standing Water – Puddles, pools, flooded or other standing water areas normally contain murky or muddy waters. These water types normally contain hidden obstacles and make it difficult to determine an accurate water depth, approach angle, and bottom condition. Murky or muddy water holes are where you want to hook up tow straps prior to entering. This makes for a faster, cleaner and easier vehicle recovery. If you are able to determine you can safely cross, than proceed using the low and slow method. CAUTION! Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system effec- tiveness by depositing debris onto the radiator. † Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or Other Flowing Water – Flowing water can be extremely dangerous. Never attempt to cross a fast running stream or river even in shallow water. Fast moving water can easily push your vehicle downstream sweeping it out of control. Even in very shallow water, a high current can still wash the dirt out from around your tires putting you and your vehicle in jeopardy. There is still a high risk of personal injury and vehicle damage with slower water currents in depths greater than the vehicle’s running ground clearance. You should never attempt to cross flowing water which is deeper than the vehicle’s running ground clearance. Even the slowest current can push the heaviest vehicle downstream out of control if the water is deep enough to push on the large surface area of the vehicle’s body. Before you proceed determine the speed of the current, the water’s depth, approach angle, bottom condition and if there are any obstacles, then cross at an angle heading slightly upstream using the low and slow technique. STARTING AND OPERATING 265 WARNING! Never drive through fast moving deep water. It can push your vehicle downstream, sweeping it out of control. This could put you and your passengers at risk of injury or drowning. Airing Down For Off-Road Driving Running lower tire pressure off-road can improve your ride comfort and vehicle traction. Reducing the tire air pressure allows the tire to bulge slightly, improving its surface area for better flotation and ability to mold or form to the ground contour. Different terrain, tires, and vehicles require different tire pressure. Hard surfaces like rock and heavier vehicles require higher pressures than softer surfaces such as sand and lighter vehicles. You will need to experiment to determine what is right for your situation. It is easier and faster to let air out than it is to 266 STARTING AND OPERATING replace it so, start high and lower it as required. Remem- ber you must return the tires to normal air pressure before driving on road or at highway conditions. Be sure you have a way to return the tires to their normal on road air pressure. CAUTION! Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of tire dam- age and may cause tire unseating with total loss of air pressure. To reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a reduced tire pressure, drive at slower speeds and avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. Vehicle Recovery If you drive off-road, you may encounter a situation where you will need to recover your vehicle. Vehicle recovery should always be given consideration before attempting a questionable obstacle. You should never go off-road driving without the ability to recover your vehicle from a situation. Having another vehicle with you usually works best for most situations. The first thing to do is assess the situation. Why are you stuck? Are you hung up on something? Would it be easier to go forward or to go backward? Can you still move the vehicle? Are you alone or do you have another vehicle to help? Is there high risk of vehicle damage during the recovery process? Answering these questions will help you determine the best method of recovery. If you can still move the vehicle slightly and the only issue is slick ground, then rock cycling your vehicle would be the first choice. If you have ample room, an additional vehicle and there is low risk of vehicle impingement on the surroundings, then using a tow strap to the vehicle tow hooks would be fast and easy. If the vehicle is severely hung up or in a situation where great care needs to be taken during the recovery, then nothing can do the job better than a winch. If you are severely hung up on something you should jack the vehicle up and stack something under the wheels to allow the vehicle to roll off the object without causing further damage. This should be tried before attempting any recovery method. CAUTION! Pulling the vehicle off an obstacle, without first clearing the object, may result in additional under- body damage. † Rock Cycling Your Vehicle – Rock cycling your ve- hicle is one of the easiest, fastest and most commonly used methods. This simply involves shifting your STARTING AND OPERATING 267 vehicle from drive to reverse, while applying throttle after each shift. During this process, for additional traction, try turning your steering wheel quickly back and forth no more than a 1/4 turn. If you are stuck in mud, sand, or snow try spinning your tires during this process to clean the debris from the tread and improve the traction. You want to create a rocking motion with the vehicle. This helps build vehicle momentum, which hopefully gets you out. Remember to ease off and on the accelerator before and after the shift. If after a few rock cycles your vehicle is not free, stop and try another method of recovery. Continuous rock cycling will only cause unnecessary damage to your vehicle and the environment. 268 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! Damage can occur when spinning your tires at an excessive high speed. Do not spin your tires faster than an indicated 30 mph (48 km/h) † Using The Tow Hooks With A Tow Strap – Tow straps are a quick and easy way to recover your vehicle from minor situations if you have a secondary vehicle which is not stuck. The tow hooks on your vehicle are designed to take the abusive force gener- ated during vehicle recovery. Do not use the bumper or any other vehicle component as an attachment point. Using tow straps requires coordination between the two drivers. Good communication and line of sight are required for a safe recovery. First connect the tow strap to the correct attachment points on both vehicles. There should be a least 20 to 30 ft. (6 to 9 m) between the vehicles to allow for a safe recovery. If necessary join two tow straps together using a 1 1/2 in. (4 cm) hard wood dowel. This will keep the straps from becoming knotted and is safer than using a clevis pin if the strap breaks. Next have the tow vehicle backup, leaving 2 to 3 ft. (61 to 91 cm) worth of slack in the strap. Then the tow vehicle, using light throttle, should accelerate tightening the strap providing the pulling force needed to free the vehicle. The vehicle being recovered should assist in the recovery, at the time of the snap, by slowly spinning the tires in the same direction as the pulling vehicle. After the vehicle becomes free, the driver of the previously stuck ve- hicle should signal they are free and should hit their brakes stopping both vehicles. The driver of the pull- ing vehicle should let off the throttle without using the brakes, once signaled by the other driver. This se- quence is important to avoid having the recovered vehicle hit the pulling vehicle. WARNING! Never use tow straps with end hooks or link two straps with a clevis pin. These heavy metal objects could become projectiles if a strap breaks, which could cause severe injury. Never leave more than 2 to 3 ft. (61 to 91 cm) of slack in the strap. More slack than this greatly increases the risk of injury and vehicle damage. Always keep everyone at least 30 ft. (9 m) away from a strapping or winching situation. After Driving Off-Road Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than does most on-road driving. After driving off-road, it is always a good idea to check for damage. † Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Check tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and exhaust system for damage. STARTING AND OPERATING 269 † Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus- pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the values specified in the Service Manual. † Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things could be a fire hazard, or they might hide damage to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts. † After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or similar dirty conditions, have brake drums and rotors, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as soon as possible. † If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for packed material. Packed foreign material can cause a wheel imbalance and cleaning the wheels will correct the situation. 270 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might not have full braking power when you need it to prevent an accident. If you have been operating your vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and cleaned as necessary. Failure to do so may result is serious injury. PARKING BRAKE When the parking brake is applied with the ignition on, the Brake Light in the instrument cluster will come on. NOTE: This light only shows that the parking brake is on. It does not show the degree of brake application. If the parking brake is applied while the vehicle is moving, a chime will sound to alert the driver. The chime will sound up to 10 times or until the vehicle has returned to a stop. Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking brake is set. To set the parking brake, pull up firmly on the lever. Also place the gear selector in the Park position (automatic transaxle) or Reverse (manual transaxle). To release the parking brake, apply the brake pedal, pull up slightly on the lever, then depress the button on the end of the lever and push the lever fully down toward the floor. NOTE: The parking brake lever will not release unless the lever is pulled up slightly past its applied position. STARTING AND OPERATING 271 an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill grade. You should always apply the parking brake before leav- ing the vehicle. WARNING! † Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in the ignition. A child could operate power win- dows, other controls, or move the vehicle. † Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake failure and an accident. Parking Brake Lever When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise the load on the automatic transaxle locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the selector out of Park. As 272 STARTING AND OPERATING BRAKE SYSTEM Your vehicle is equipped with power assisted brakes as standard equipment. In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for example, repeated brake applications with the engine off), the brakes will still function. How- ever, the effort required to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required with the power system oper- ating. If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa- bility, the remaining system will still function with some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident by increased pedal travel during application and greater pedal force required to slow or stop. In addition, if the malfunction is caused by an internal leak, as the brake fluid in the master cylinder drops, the brake warning indicator will light. WARNING! WARNING! Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and possible brake damage. You wouldn’t have your full braking capacity in an emergency. Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger- ous. A significant decrease in braking performance or vehicle stability during braking may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to control. You could have an accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If Equipped The Anti-Lock Brake System provides increased vehicle stability and brake performance under most braking conditions. The system automatically “pumps” the brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent wheel lock-up. STARTING AND OPERATING 273 WARNING! Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish their effectiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or stop. 274 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! † Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded. † The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle too closely, or hydro- planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. † The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. The ABS light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System. The light will come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for as long as four seconds. If the ABS light remains on or comes on while driving, it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system is not functioning and that service is required. However, the conventional brake system will continue to operate normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on. If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock brakes. If the ABS light does not come on when the Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the bulb repaired as soon as possible. If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light remain on, the Anti-Lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) systems are not function- ing. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required. When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some related motor noises. These noises are the system per- forming its self check cycle to ensure that the ABS system is working properly. This self check occurs each time the vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h). ABS is activated during braking under certain road or stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in- clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose debris, or panic stops. You also may experience the following when the brake system goes into Anti-lock: † The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a † the clicking sound of solenoid valves, † brake pedal pulsations, short time after the stop), † and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the STARTING AND OPERATING 275 end of the stop. These are all normal characteristics of ABS. WARNING! The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated electronic equipment that may be susceptible to interference caused by improperly installed or high output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer- ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking capability. Installation of such equipment should be performed by qualified professionals. All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and type and tires must be properly inflated to produce accurate signals for the computer. 276 STARTING AND OPERATING POWER STEERING The standard power steering system will give you good vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical steering capability if power assist is lost. If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi- tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during parking maneuvers. Increased noise levels at the end of the steering NOTE: wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate that there is a problem with the power steering system. Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any way damage the steering system. WARNING! Continued operation with reduced power steering assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others. Service should be obtained as soon as possible. CAUTION! Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering fluid temperature and it should be avoided when possible. Damage to the power steering pump may occur. TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION Tire Markings NOTE: † P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex- ample: P215/65R15 95H. STARTING AND OPERATING 277 † European Metric tire sizing is based on European design standards. Tires designed to this standard have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with the section width. The letter 9P9 is absent from this tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H † LT (Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced- ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16. † Temporary Spare tires are high-pressure compact spares designed for temporary emergency use only. Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa- tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M. † High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT. 278 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire Sizing Chart Size Designation: EXAMPLE: P = Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards (....blank....( = Passenger car tire based on European design standards LT = Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards T = Temporary Spare tire 31 = Overall Diameter in Inches (in) 215 = Section Width in Millimeters (mm) 65 = Aspect Ratio in Percent (%) —Ratio of section height to section width of tire. 10.5 = Section Width in Inches (in) R = Construction Code —9R9 means Radial Construction. —9D9 means Diagonal or Bias Construction. 15 = Rim Diameter in Inches (in) STARTING AND OPERATING 279 Service Description: 95 = Load Index EXAMPLE: —A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry. H = Speed Symbol —A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load index under certain operating conditions. —The maximum speed corresponding to the Speed Symbol should only be achieved un- der specified operating conditions (i.e. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and posted speed limits). Load Identification: (....blank....( = Absence of any text on sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire Extra Load (XL) = Extra Load (or Reinforced) Tire Light Load = Light Load Tire C,D,E = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure Maximum Load — Maximum Load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry. Maximum Pressure — Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire. 280 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire Identification Number (TIN) The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire; however, the date code may only be on one side. Tires with white sidewalls will have the full TIN including date code located on the white sidewall side of the tire. Look for the TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard side then you will find it on the inboard side of the tire. DOT = Department of Transportation —This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards, and is approved for highway use. EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301 MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location. (2 digits) L9 = Code representing the tire size. (2 digits) ABCD = Code used by tire manufacturer. (1 to 4 digits) 03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured. (2 digits) —03 means the 3rd week. 01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured. (2 digits) —01 means the year 2001. —Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have 1 number to represent the year in which the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991. Tire Loading and Tire Pressure Tire and Loading Information Placard STARTING AND OPERATING 281 Tire Placard Location NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on either the face of the driver’s door or the driver’s side “B” pillar. Tire and Loading Information This placard tells you important information about the: 1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle 2) the total weight your vehicle can carry Tire Placard Location 282 STARTING AND OPERATING 3) the tire size designed for your vehicle 4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and spare tires. Loading The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation pressures specified on the “Tire and Loading Information” placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” sec- tion of this manual. NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear axles must not be exceeded. For further information on GAWR’s, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to the “Vehicle Loading” section of this manual. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the weight referenced here. Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu- pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds” on your vehicle’s placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas- sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds. 4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (since 5 x 150 = 750, and 1400 – 750 = 650 lbs.) 5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4. 6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this STARTING AND OPERATING 283 manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. NOTE: The following table shows examples on how to calculate total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capaci- ties of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle. NOTE: For the following example, the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392 kg). 284 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! 1. Safety— STARTING AND OPERATING 285 Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them. TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION Tire Pressure Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary areas are affected by improper tire pressure: WARNING! † Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause acci- dents. † Under inflation increases tire flexing and can result in tire failure. † Over inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can cause damage that result in tire failure. † Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. You could lose control of your vehicle. † Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control. † Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right or left. † Always drive with each tire inflated to the recommended cold tire inflation pressure. 286 STARTING AND OPERATING 2. Economy— Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for earlier tire replacement. Under inflation, also increases tire rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consump- tion. 3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability— Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride. Over inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride. Tire Inflation Pressures The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed either on the face of the driver’s door or on the driver’s side “B” pillar. Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure Information for vehicle loads that are less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con- ditions will be found in the “Supplemental Tire Pressure Information” section of this manual. Tire Placard Location The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they are under inflated. CAUTION! After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al- ways reinstall the valve stem cap (if equipped). This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could damage the valve stem. Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always “cold tire inflation pressure.” Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile STARTING AND OPERATING 287 (1 km) after a 3 hour period. The cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres- sure molded into the tire sidewall. Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with temperature changes. Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per 12 °F (7 °C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in the winter. Example: If garage temperature = 68 °F (20 °C) and the outside temperature = 32 °F (0 °C) then the cold tire inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa), which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12 °F (7 °C) for this outside temperature condition. 288 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa) during operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure build up or your tire pressure will be too low. Tire Pressures for High Speed Operation The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi- tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle loading may be required for high-speed vehicle opera- tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures. WARNING! High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi- mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your tires could cause them to fail. You could have a serious accident. Don’t drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h). Radial-Ply Tires WARNING! Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al- ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, in case of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine them with other types of tires. Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs. STARTING AND OPERATING 289 Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein- stalled at the first opportunity. WARNING! Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use only. With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings, which apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control. 290 STARTING AND OPERATING Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare. Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel on the vehicle at any given time. original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire, replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity. CAUTION! WARNING! Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may result. Limited Use Spare — If Equipped The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited use spare tire warning label located on the limited use spare tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the The limited use spare tires are for emergency use only. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more than 60 mph (100 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold tire inflation pressure listed on either your tire placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assembly. Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so could result in loss of vehicle control. STARTING AND OPERATING 291 Tread Wear Indicators Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires to help you in determining when your tires should be replaced. Tire Spinning When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not spin your vehicle’s wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) or for more than 30 seconds. Refer to the paragraph on “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in Section 6 of this manual. WARNING! Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener- ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam- age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some- one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for more than 30 seconds continu- ously when you are stuck, and don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed. 292 STARTING AND OPERATING These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced. Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this point. Life of Tire The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying factors including but not limited to: † Driving style † Tire pressure † Distance driven WARNING! Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You could lose control and have an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact with oil, grease, and gasoline. Replacement Tires The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu- facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva- lent to the originals in size, quality and performance when replacement is needed (refer to the paragraph on “Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information” placard for the size designation of your tire. The service description and load identification will be found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you contact your original equipment or an autho- rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifications or capability. STARTING AND OPERATING 293 WARNING! † Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of unapproved tires and wheels may change suspension dimensions and performance characteristics, result- ing in changes to steering, handling, and braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable handling and stress to steering and suspension components. You could lose control and have an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your vehicle. † Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity, other than what was originally equipped on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose control and have an accident. † Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having ad- equate speed capability can result in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle control. 294 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! Replacing original tires with tires of a different size may result in false speedometer and odometer readings. Alignment And Balance Poor suspension alignment may result in: † Fast tire wear. † Uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided † Vehicle pull to right or left. Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull to the left or right. Alignment will not correct this condition. See your dealer for proper diagnosis. wear. Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration. Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of- balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and avoid tire cupping and spotty wear. TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) — IF EQUIPPED Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Operation – If Equipped This is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System warn- ing indicator located in the instrument cluster. † The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) will warn the driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle recommended cold placard pressure. † The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about 1 psi (6.9 kPa) for every 12 °F (6.5 °C). This means that when the outside temperature decreases, the tire pres- sure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as the tire pressure after a vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 hours - and in outside ambient tempera- ture. Refer to the “Tires – General Information” in this section for information on how to properly inflate the vehicle’s tires. The tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle is driven - this is normal and there should be no adjustment for this increased pressure. † The TPM System will warn the driver of a low tire pressure if the tire pressure falls below the low pres- sure warning threshold for any reason, including low temperature effects. † The TPM System will continue to warn the driver of low tire pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not turn off until the tire pressure is at or above recommended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire pressure warning has been illuminated, the tire pres- sure must be increased to the recommended cold STARTING AND OPERATING 295 placard pressure in order for the TPM warning lamp to be turned off. The system will automatically update and the TPM warning lamp will extinguish once the updated tire pressures have been received. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this information. For example, your vehicle may have a recommended cold (parked for more than 3 hours) placard of 35 °F (241 kPa). If the ambient temperature is 68 °F (20 °C) and the measured tire pressure is 30 psi (207 kPa), a temperature drop to 20 °F (-7 °C) will decrease the tire pressure to approximately 26 psi (179 kPa). This tire pressure is sufficiently low enough to turn ON the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Light”. Driving the vehicle may cause the tire pressure to rise to approximately 30 psi (207 kPa), but the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Light” will still be ON. In this situation, the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Light” will turn OFF only after the tires have been inflated to the vehicle’s recommended cold placard pressure value. 296 STARTING AND OPERATING Premium System – If Equipped The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings to the Receiver Module. It is particularly important, for you to check the NOTE: tire pressure in all of your tires regularly and to maintain the proper pressure. The TPMS consists of the following components: † Receiver Module † 4 Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors † 3 Trigger Modules (mounted in three of the four wheel wells) † Various Tire Pressure Monitoring System Messages, which display in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) † Yellow Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will illumi- nate in the instrument cluster, and an audible chime will be activated when one or more of the four active road tire pressures are low. The audible chime will sound once every ignition cycle for each condition that it detects. In addition, the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) will display a graphic of the pressure value(s) with the low tire(s) flashing. STARTING AND OPERATING 297 NOTE: These display settings may not be available due to Regulatory Authorities. In this case, the display will only show approved units. NOTE: A low spare tire will not cause the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp to illuminate or the chime to sound. Should a low tire condition occur on any of the four active road tire(s), you should stop as soon as possible, and inflate the low tire(s) that is flashing on the graphic display to the vehicle’s recommended cold placard pres- sure value. The system will automatically update, the graphic display of the pressure value(s) will stop flash- ing, and the Tire Pressure Monitoring Lamp will extin- guish once the updated tire pressure(s) have been re- ceived. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this infor- mation. Low Tire Pressure Display Display Settings † Your system can be set to display pressure units in PSI, kPa, or BAR. 298 STARTING AND OPERATING Check TPM System Message The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will flash on and off for 60 seconds, and an audible chime will sound when a system fault is detected. The flash cycle will repeat every ten minutes, without an audible chime, until the fault condition no longer exists. The EVIC will display the “CHECK TPM SYSTEM” message for 3 seconds. This text message is then followed by a graphic, with “- -“ displayed for the pressure value indicating which of the Tire Pressure Monitoring Sen- sor(s) is not being received. Check TPM System Display If the ignition key is cycled, this sequence will repeat, providing the system fault still exists. If the system fault no longer exists, the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will no longer flash, and the 9CHECK TPM SYS- TEM9 text message will no longer display. Display Settings † Your system can be set to display pressure units in PSI, kPa, or BAR. NOTE: These display settings may not be available due to Regulatory Authorities. In this case, the display will only show approved units. If your vehicle is equipped with a compact spare NOTE: wheel and tire assembly that does not have a tire pressure monitoring sensor. Therefore, it will not be monitored by the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). In the event that the compact spare tire is swapped with a low pressure road tire, the next ignition key cycle will still show the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Lamp” to be ON, a chime to sound, and the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) will still show the low tire pressure value flashing on the graphic display. However, driving the vehicle for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) will display a “CHECK TPM SYSTEM” text message on the STARTING AND OPERATING 299 EVIC. This text message will then be followed by a graphic, with “- -“ in place of the flashing low pressure value. For every subsequent key cycle, the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Lamp” will be ON, a chime will sound, a “CHECK TPM SYSTEM” text message will be display in the EVIC, and the graphic display will have “- -“ in place of the pressure value of the spare tire location. Once the original road tire has been properly repaired, and put back onto the vehicle in place of the compact spare tire. The TPMS will update the graphic display on the EVIC with a new tire pressure value instead of “- -“, and the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Lamp” will be OFF as long as none of the road tire(s) are below the low pressure warning threshold. The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) to receive this information. 300 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! CAUTION! The TPMS has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures have been established for the tire size equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor damage may result when using replacement equip- ment that is not of the same size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result. After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al- ways reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could damage the wheel rim sensor. NOTE: † The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care and maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire failure or condition. † The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge † Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. while adjusting your tire pressure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability. † The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte- nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale lamp. † Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure, and the TPM system will monitor the actual tire pressure in the tire. General Information This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following conditions: † This device may not cause harmful interference. STARTING AND OPERATING 301 † This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired op- eration. The tire pressure sensors are covered under one of the following licenses: United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KR5S120123 Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2671-S120123 TIRE CHAINS Due to limited clearance, tire chains are not recom- mended. CAUTION! Damage to the vehicle may result if tire chains are used. 302 STARTING AND OPERATING SNOW TIRES Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires during winter. Standard tires are of the all season type and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S designation on the tire sidewall. If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and type to the original equipment tires. Use snow tires only in sets of 4, failure to do so may adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle. Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h). Tire Rotation Recommendations Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at different loads and perform different steering, driving, and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal rates, and tend to develop irregular wear pat- terns. These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires. The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with aggressive tread designs such as those on all season type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to a smooth, quiet ride.

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2007 Jeep Patriot Owners Manual