90 Dr iv ing Safel y
In a collision, the laws of physics mean that
even smaller items that are loose in the vehi-
cle will become heavy missiles that can cause
serious injury. Items in the vehicle possess en -
ergy which vary with vehicle speed and the
weight of the item . Vehicle speed is the most
sig nificant factor.
For examp le, in a frontal collis ion at a speed
of 30 mph (48 km/h), the forces acting on a
10- lb (4 .5 kg) object are about 20 times the
no rmal we ight of the item. This means that
the we ight of the item would suddenly be
about 200 lbs. (90 kg). You can imagine the
injuries that a 200 lbs. (90 kg) item flying
freely through the passenger compartment
could cause in a collision like this.
A WARNING
Improperly stored luggage or other items
can fly through the vehicle causing serious
personal injury in the event of hard brak-
ing or an acc ident. To help reduce the risk
of serious personal injury:
- Always put objects, for example, luggage
or other heavy items in the luggage com-
partment.
A WARNING
Heavy loads will influence the way your ve-
hicle handles . To help reduce the ris k of a
loss of control leading to ser ious personal
inju ry:
- Always keep in m ind when transporting
heavy objects, that a change in the cen-
ter of g ravity can also cause changes in
vehicle handling .
- Never exceed t he Gross Axle Weight Rat -
ing or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rat ing
specified on the safety compliance stic k-
er on the left door jamb . Exceeding per-
missib le we ight standards can cause the
vehicle to slide and handle differently.
- Please observe information on safe driv-
ing
<=>page 84 .
A WARNING
Always make sure that the doors, all win-
dows and the front lid a re secure ly closed
and locked to reduce the risk of injury
when the vehicle is not being used .
- After closing the front lid, always make
sure that it is properly closed and locked .
- Never leave your vehicle unattended es-
pecially with the front lid left open . A
child cou ld craw l into the luggage com-
pa rtment and close the front lid becom-
ing trapped and unable to get out. Being
trapped in a veh icle can lead to se rious
pe rsonal injury.
- Never let children play in or around the
veh icle.
- Never let passengers ride in the luggage
compartment. Vehicle occupants mus t
always be prope rly restrained in one of
the vehicle's seating positions.
(D Tips
The t ire pressure must cor respond to the
load. The t ire pressure is shown on the t ire
pressure label. The tire pressure label is lo-
cated on the d river's s ide B-pillar. The t ire
pressure label lists the recommended cold
tire inflation pressures for the vehicle at
its maximum capac ity we ight and the tires
that we re on your vehicle at the t ime it
was manufactured. For recommended tire
pressures fo r normal load condit ions,
please see chapter <=>
page 183.
Reporting Safety
Defects
Applicable to U.S.A.
If you believe that your vehicle
has a defect which could cause
a crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administrat ion
To Next Page
Loading...
