6-48
Driving Your Vehicle
For safe AWD operation
Before driving
ś Make sure all passengers are wearing 
seat belts.
ś Sit upright and closer to the steering 
wheel than usual. Adjust the steering 
wheel to a position comfortable for 
you to drive.
Driving on snow-covered or icy roads
ś Start off slowly by applying the 
accelerator pedal gently.
ś Use snow tires or tire chains.
ś Keep sufficient distance between your 
vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
ś Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration, 
sudden brake applications, and sharp 
turns to prevent skids.
ś It is difficult to start again if the 
vehicle stops on an uphill road. Keep 
your distance from other vehicles and 
drive slowly.
 Information
When using Snow Tires, mount them on 
all four wheels.
When using tire chains, install them on the 
rear tires.
However, driving speed must be below 18 
mph and minimize the driving distance. 
High-speed or long-term driving with 
tire chains installed may malfunction or 
damage the AWD system. 
For more details on Snow Tires and Tire 
Chains, refer to "Winter Driving" section 
later in this chapter.
Driving in sand or mud
ś Maintain slow and constant speed.
ś Use tire chains driving in mud if 
necessary.
ś Keep sufficient distance between your 
vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
ś Reduce vehicle speed and always 
check the road condition.
ś Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration, 
sudden brake applications, and sharp 
turns to prevent getting stuck.
NOTICE
When the vehicle is stuck in snow, sand 
or mud, place a nonslip material under 
the drive wheels to provide traction 
OR slowly spin the wheels in forward 
and reverse directions which causes 
a rocking motion that may free the 
vehicle.
Driving up or down hills
ś Driving uphill
 - Before starting off, check if it is 
possible to drive uphill.
 - Drive as straight as possible.
ś Driving downhill
 - Do not change gear while driving 
downhill. Select gear before driving 
downhill.
 - Drive straight as possible.
 WARNING
Exercise extreme caution driving up or 
down steep hills. The vehicle may flip 
over depending on the grade, terrain, 
water and mud conditions.