SAFETY INFORMATION
Your safety--and the safety of others--is very important and operating this
vehicle safely is an important responsibility. While we strive to help you make
informed decisions about safety, it is not practical or possible to warn you about
all the hazards associated with operating or maintaining your vehicle.
Therefore, you must use your own good judgement.
Important Safety Information
This guide explains many of your vehicle's safety features and how to use them.
Please read this information carefully. Following the instructions below will also
help to keep you and your passengers safe.
n
Important Safety Precautions
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Secure all children in the proper restraint system.
• Be aware of airbag hazards.
• Don't drink and drive.
• Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely.
• Control your speed.
• Keep your vehicle in safe condition.
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from
paying close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could
lead to a crash. Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can
decide when it is safe to divert some attention away from driving.
n
Important Handling Information
Your vehicle has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle
designed for use only on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many
advantages for off-highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps,
obstacles, and rough terrain. It also provides good visibility so you can
anticipate problems earlier. These advantages come at some cost. Because
your vehicle is taller and rides higher off the ground, it has a higher center
gravity making it more susceptible to tipping or roll over if you make abrupt
turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly
more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder, make
sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
SAFETY INFORMATION
4 |
n
Safety Messages
When you see the following messages throughout this guide, pay close
attention.
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t
follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you don’t
follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
This information is intended to help you avoid damage to
your vehicle, other property, or the environment.
n
Carbon Monoxide Gas
The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a
colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain
your vehicle and follow the instructions set forth below, you will not
accumulate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas in the vehicle interior.
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever:
• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the trunk open, airflow can pull exhaust
gas into the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with
the trunk open, open all the windows and set the climate control system as
shown below:
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your
parked vehicle with the engine running.
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic. Breathing it can cause unconsciousness
and even kill you. Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up with carbon monoxide
gas. Do not run the engine with the garage door closed. Even when the
SAFETY INFORMATION
| 5