Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the unexpected.” The first step in driving defensively is to wear your safety belt — See Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone.
WARNING:
Assume that other road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do and be ready. In addition:
• Allow enough following distance between you and the driver in front of you.
• Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause collisions resulting in injury or possible death. These simple defensive driving techniques could save your life.
Drunk Driving
WARNING:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment can be affected by even a small amount of alcohol.
You can have a serious—or even fatal—collision if you drive after drinking. Do not drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you are with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a global tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and attentiveness.
Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. In recent years, more than 17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the use of alcohol, with about 250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against the law in every U.S.
state to drink alcohol. There are good medical, psychological, and developmental reasons for these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means that when anyone who has been drinking — driver or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control the vehicle while driving—brakes, steering, and accelerator. At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of the vehicle.
See Traction Control System (TCS).
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modifications .
Braking
See Brake System Warning Light.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a second.
But that is only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m (66 feet). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between the vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts—heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking—rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster with a lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with the traffic and allowing realistic following distances eliminates a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakes are pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down.
If the engine stops, there will still be some power brake assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect vehicle performance. See Accessories and Modifications .
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going on, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this warning light stays on. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as required, faster than any driver could. This can help the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let antilock work. The antilock pump or motor operating might be heard and the brake pedal might be felt to pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help more than even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the stability system hydraulic brake control module to supplement the power brake system under conditions where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied the brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow down the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake control module increases brake pressure at each corner of the vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal pulsations or pedal movement during this time is normal and the driver should continue to apply the brake pedal as the driving situation dictates The Brake Assist feature will automatically disengage when the brake pedal is released or brake pedal pressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak® System
The vehicle may have the StabiliTrak system which combines antilock brake, traction and stability control systems and helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in most driving conditions. This is accomplished by selectively applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes and reducing engine power.
The StabiliTrak system comes on automatically whenever the vehicle is started. The system cannot be turned off.
This light will flash when the system is operating.
The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC) and the Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument panel cluster comes on after first driving the vehicle and exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h) for 30 seconds. The StabiliTrak system is off until the light has turned off. This could take up to 15 minutes.
The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument panel cluster will flash when the system is operating.
See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light and StabiliTrak® Indicator Light for more information. The system may be heard or felt while it is working. This is normal.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message is displayed and the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument panel cluster comes on if there is a problem with the system.
When this light and the SERVICE STABILITRAK message are on, the system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it senses that the front wheels are spinning too much or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the system works the front brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the throttle and managing engine spark) to limit wheel spin.
The TCS and StabiliTrak® light will flash when the system is limiting wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working, but this is normal. See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light for more information.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when TCS begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. The cruise control may be re-engaged when road conditions allow. See Cruise Control.
The SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message in the DIC and the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light comes on if there is a problem with the traction control system.
See DIC Warnings and Messages.
When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message are on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To turn the system off or on, press and release this button located in front of the shift lever.
TCS automatically comes on whenever the vehicle is started. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, always leave the system turned on.
TCS can be turned off if needed.
The system can be turned on or off at any time by pressing the TCS button. The DIC will display TRACTION CONTROL OFF when the button is pressed, and part of the traction control system is disabled.
The vehicle will still have brake-traction control, but will not be able to use the engine speed management system. System noises may be heard as a result of the brake-traction control working. If the controller detects excessive wheel spin in this mode, the TCS/StabiliTrak light may blink.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normal driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow, and you want to “rock” the vehicle to attempt to free it. See If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect the vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and Modifications for more information.
Magnetic Ride Control™
The vehicle may have Magnetic Ride Control that automatically adjusts the ride of the vehicle. The controller receives input from the system to determine the proper ride. If the controller detects a problem within the system, the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays a SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message. See DIC Warnings and Messages for more information. If this message appears, have the vehicle serviced at your dealer/retailer.
Steering
Power Steering
If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, the vehicle can be steered but it will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering the curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. These problems can be avoided by braking — if you can stop in time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time because there is no room. That is the time for evasive action — steering around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply the brakes. See Braking.
It is better to remove as much speed as possible from a collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, it can be turned a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that the vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
Turn the steering wheel 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 inches), about one-eighth turn, until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing:
• Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect a successful pass. If in doubt, wait.
• Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side of the lane.
• Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
• Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
• When you are being passed, ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems —brakes, steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If the traction control system is off, then an acceleration skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because some drivers are likely to be impaired—by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
• Drive defensively.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside rearview mirror.
• Slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles because headlamps can only light up so much road ahead.
• Watch for animals.
• When tired, pull off the road.
• Do not wear sunglasses.
• Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
• Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle clean — inside and out.
• Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid driving through large puddles and deep-standing or flowing water.
WARNING:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not work as well in a quick stop and could cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing water could cause your vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not ignore police warnings and be very cautious about trying to drive through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips include:
• Allow extra following distance.
• Pass with caution.
• Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
• Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
• Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tires .
• Turn off cruise control.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
• Windshield Washer Fluid: Reservoir full? Windows clean — inside and outside?
• Wiper Blades: In good shape?
• Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All levels checked?
• Lamps: Do they all work and are lenses clean?
• Tires: Are treads good? Are tires inflated to recommended pressure?
• Weather and Maps: Safe to travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, find a safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
• Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
• Keep interior temperature cool.
• Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead and to the sides.
• Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in these conditions include:
• Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
• Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling system, and transmission.
• Going down steep or long hills, shift to a lower gear.
WARNING:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so hot that they would not work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
WARNING:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down and they could get so hot that they would not work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the engine running and the vehicle in gear when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane.
• Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your lane (stalled car, accident).
• Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more.
The Traction Control System (TCS) improves the ability to accelerate on slippery roads, but slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions.
When driving through deep snow, turn off the traction control system to help maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads, but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible, use the Roadside Assistance Program. To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
• Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers.
• Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
WARNING:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
• Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust pipe.
• Check again from time to time to be sure snow does not collect there.
• Open a window about 5 cm (two inches) on the side of the vehicle that is away from the wind to bring in fresh air.
• Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel.
• Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting that circulates the air inside the vehicle and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See Climate Control System in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed to keep warm, but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine off and close the window most of the way to save heat.
Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then when you run the engine, push the accelerator pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this as little as possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off and use the rocking method.
WARNING:
If the vehicle’s tires spin at high speed, they can explode, and you or others could be injured. The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine compartment fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as little as possible and avoid going above 55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle, see Tire Chains.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see Towing Your Vehicle.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your vehicle can carry. Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the Vehicle Certification label.
WARNING:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the vehicle can break, and it can change the way your vehicle handles. These could cause you to lose control and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
Label Example
A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar). With the driver door open, you will find the label attached below the door lock post (striker).
The Tire and Loading Information label lists the number of occupant seating positions (A), and the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms and pounds. The vehicle capacity weight includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options.
The Tire and Loading Information label also lists the tire size of the original equipment tires (C) and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures (D). For more information on tires and inflation, see Tires and Inflation - Tire Pressure.
There is also important loading information on the Certification label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle, see “Certification Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity for your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, see Towing a Trailer for important information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules, and trailering tips.
Refer to your vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information label for specific information about your vehicle’s maximum vehicle capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers, and cargo should never exceed your vehicle’s maximum vehicle capacity weight.
Certification Label
A vehicle specific Certification label is found on the rear edge of the driver door.
The label shows the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
If there is a heavy load, it should be spread out.
WARNING:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the vehicle can break, and it can change the way your vehicle handles. These could cause you to lose control and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life of the vehicle.
Notice: Overloading the vehicle may cause damage. Repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not overload the vehicle.
If things like suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else are put inside the vehicle, they will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
WARNING:
Things you put inside the vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
• Put things in the cargo area of the vehicle. In the cargo area, put them as far forward as you can. Try to spread the weight evenly.
• Never stack heavier things, like suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some of them are above the tops of the seats.
• Do not leave an unsecured child restraint in the vehicle.
• When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
• Do not leave a seat folded down unless you need to.
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