Utility vehicle precautions
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its center of gravity.
Utility vehicle feature
Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this type of
vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles have a
significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary passenger cars any more than low-slung sports cars designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at excessive speeds may cause rollover.
CAUTION:
Utility vehicle precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or
serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die
than a
person wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers should
fasten
their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all possible.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or
vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury.
Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make the center of the vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate this vehicle correctly.
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of its profile and higher center
of
gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side winds than an ordinary passenger
car. Slowing down will allow you to have better control.
Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes. Driving straight up or straight
down
is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off-road vehicle) can tip over
sideways
much more easily than forward or backward.
Off-road driving
Your vehicle is not designed to be driven off-road. However, in the event that off-road driving cannot be avoided, please observe the following precautions to help avoid the areas prohibited to vehicles.
Drive your vehicle only in areas where off-road vehicles are permitted to travel.
Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before entering private property.
Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers and signs that restrict travel.
Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet, driving techniques should be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to roads.
Avoid driving on very steep, slippery roads and other surfaces, such as sand, where the tires are liable to lose traction. Your vehicle may not perform as well as conventional AWD on-road vehicles on these surfaces.
Additional information for off-road driving
- For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your vehicle off-road,
consult
the following organizations.
State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments.
State Motor Vehicle Bureau.
Recreational Vehicle Clubs.
U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
CAUTION:
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or
serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your thumbs on the outside of the rim.
Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand, mud, water or snow.
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, water, etc., check that
there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped to the
underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
When driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or
vehicle
rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage
to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE:
To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the hybrid
battery,
hybrid system or other components does not occur.
Water entering the engine compartment may cause severe damage to the hybrid system. Water entering the interior may cause the hybrid battery stowed under the rear seats to short circuit.
Water entering the hybrid transmission will cause deterioration in
transmission
quality. The malfunction indicator may come on, and the vehicle may not be
drivable.
Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the hybrid transmission case, reducing the gear
oil’s
lubricating qualities.
NOTICE:
When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the
depth of the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and
avoid deep water.
Inspection after off-road driving Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums and around brake discs may affect braking efficiency and may damage brake system components.
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving
that
has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled
maintenance
information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.
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