STARTING AND OPERATING 111
Unnecessary Loads
Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not travel with an overloaded luggage compartment.
The weight of the vehicle and its trim greatly affect
electrical energy consumption and stability.
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
WARNING!
Do not drive on or across a road or path where
water is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off).
Flowing water can wear away the road or path's
surface and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper
water. Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can
carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or fatal
to you, your passengers, and others around you.
Electric Devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount of time
needed. The heated rear window, windshield wipers
and heater fan require a considerable amount of
energy; increasing the current uptake increases
electrical energy consumption.
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for
a wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
4
Climate Control System
Shallow Standing Water
Using the climate control system will increase electrical
energy consumption: use standard ventilation when the
temperature outside permits.
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Cautions
and Warnings before doing so.
● Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
Devices For Aerodynamic Control
WARNING!
The use of non-certified devices for aerodynamic
control may adversely affect air drag and electrical
energy consumption levels.
● Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
● Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s
traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
● Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first
become visible.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Information in this section will aid in safe controlled
launches in adverse conditions.
● Keep tires properly inflated.
● Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s
braking capabilities, which increases stopping
distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
● Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a
sudden stop.
Acceleration
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.
● Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other
slippery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
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