WARNING
Unsecured or incorrectly stowed items can fly through the vehicle, causing serious personal
injury during hard braking or sharp steering or in an accident. Loose items can also be struck
and thrown through the passenger compartment by the front airbags if they inflate. To help
reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x
Always stow all objects securely in the vehicle. Always put luggage and heavy items in the
luggage compartment.
x
Always secure objects in the passenger compartment properly with suitable straps so that
they cannot move into the deployment zone of a side or front airbag during sudden braking,
in a sudden maneuver, or in a collision.
x
Always keep storage compartments closed while driving.
x
Never stow hard, heavy, or sharp objects in the vehicle's open storage compartments, on
the luggage compartment cover, or on the top of the instrument panel.
x
Always remove hard, heavy, or sharp objects from clothing and bags in the vehicle
interior and stow them securely in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Transporting heavy objects causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change and
increases braking distances. Heavy loads which are not properly stowed or secured in the
vehicle can lead to a loss of vehicle control and cause serious personal injury.
x
Transporting heavy items causes the handling characteristics of the vehicle to change by
shifting the vehicle's center of gravity.
x
Always distribute luggage evenly and as low as possible within the vehicle. The vehicle
capacity weight figures apply when the load is distributed evenly in the vehicle (passengers
and luggage).
x
Always stow luggage and heavy items in the luggage compartment as far forward of the
rear axle as possible.
x
Never exceed the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Axle Weight Ratings,
which are printed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the door jamb of
the driver door. Exceeding the permissible weight can cause the vehicle to skid and behave
differently.
x
Always adapt your speed and driving style to accommodate your payload and its weight
distribution within your vehicle.
x
Be especially cautious and gentle when stepping on the accelerator pedal and avoid
sudden braking and other maneuvers.
x
Brake earlier than you would if you were not driving a loaded vehicle.
NOTICE
The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by objects that rub
against them.
The ventilation slots in the luggage compartment must not be blocked so that stale air can
escape from the vehicle.