
Towing a Trailer
Towing Safety
Your car will not stop as quickly witha trailer in tow. Leave extra distance
between your car and other vehicles.
Avoid braking or turning suddenly.
This could cause the trailer to
jackknife or possibly turn over.
Keep in mind that your total vehicle
is now much longer. Leave more
room when making turns. The trailer
tracks a smaller arc than the car and can hit or run over something that
the car misses. When passing another vehicle, make sure the
trailer is clear before changing lanes. The car/trailer combination is more
affected by crosswinds and buffeting.
When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed and steer straight ahead. If there is too
much wind buffeting, slow down to
get out of the other vehicle's air
turbulence.
Towing a trailer puts an extra load on your car. You should have your
car serviced according to the "Maintenance schedule under severe
driving conditions" on page 141. This extra load is magnified when
you are driving in hilly terrain.
Watch the temperature gauge closely when climbing hills. If it gets
near the hot area, turn off the air
conditioning (if it is on). If this does
not reduce the heat, it may be
necessary to pull to the side of the
road and wait for the engine to cool.If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently between 3rd and 4th gears, put it in D3. This will help
prevent the transmission from overheating. Help keep the brakes
from overheating by shifting to a lower gear when going downhill.
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Spark Plugs
5. Torque the spark plug. (If you do not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug 2/3 turn after it
contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
18 N .
m (1.8 kg-m, 13 Ib-ft)
Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.
6. Install
the spark plug cap.
7. Repeat this procedure for the other three spark plugs. Specifications:
NGK: ZFR5F-11
Nippondenso: KJ16CR-L11
Spark Plug
Gap:
1.1 mm (0.04 in)
Maintenance
NOTICE
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what to do
to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 192
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 193
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 199 Nothing Happens....................... 199
The Starter Operates
Normally................................ 200
Jump Starting................................. 200 If Your Engine Overheats............. 202Low Oil Pressure........................... 204
Charging System Indication......... 205
Malfunction Indicator Lamp/ Check Engine Light.................. 206
Closing the Sunroof....................... 207
Fuses............................................... 208
Checking and Replacing........... 209
Towing............................................ 213
Taking Care of the UnexpectedProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

If Your Engine Overheats
The pointer of your car's tempera- ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to your engine. Your car can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red mark. Or you may sec steam or
spray coming from under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in neutral or
park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the heating and cooling system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning indicators.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine.
3. If you do not see steam or spray, leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If the high heat is due to overloading (climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately. If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

If Your Engine Overheats
4. If the temperature gauge stays at the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot, so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Towing on
page 213).
7. If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page 150). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to half-way
between the MIN and MAX marks.
8. If there was no coolant in the reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check-
ing the radiator.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
10.Start the engine and set the
temperature control lever to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water. Remember to have the coolingsystem drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
11. Put the radiator cap back on tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine needs repair. (See Towing on
page 213.)
12.If the temperature stays normal, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index
Customer Relations Office........... 229
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 34
Dashboard Compartment............... 70
Daytime Running Lights................. 42
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 216
Defects, Reporting Safety............... 30
Defogger, Rear Window................. 45
Defrosting the Windows................. 82
DEXRON® II Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 155
Dimensions..................................... 218
Dimming the Headlights ................ 42
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 155
Engine Oil................................... 146
Directional Signals........................... 43
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 213
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 124
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 150
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 53
Power Door Locks....................... 53 DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 222
Drive Belts...................................... 169
Driving............................................ 117
Economy..................................... 114
In Bad Weather.......................... 126
In Foreign Countries................. 109
Economy, Fuel............................... 114
Emergencies on the Road............. 191 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 200
Changing a Flat Tire................. 193
Charging System Indicator...... 205
Check Engine Light.................. 206 Checking the Fuses................... 209
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 204
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 206 Manually Closing Sunroof........ 207Overheated Engine................... 202
Emergency Brake............................ 68
Emergency Flashers....................... 43
Emission Controls......................... 224
Engine Belts............................................. 169
Check Light.......................... 37, 206 Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 40
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................ 37, 206
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 36, 204
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 147
Overheating................................ 202
Specifications............................. 219
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 109
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 224
Exhaust Fumes................................ 29
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.........................................10
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 184
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 187
Fan, Interior...................................... 78
Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 75
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 110
Filter Air............................................... 158
Oil................................................ 148
First Gear Position......................... 122
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Main Menu s t

Index
Oil
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 148
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 52
Opening the Hood ......................... 111
Operation in Foreign Countries... 109
Outside Mirrors............................... 66 Overheating, Engine..................... 202
Panel Brightness Control............... 43
Park Gear Position......................... 121
Parking Brake.................................. 68
Parking Lights.................................. 42
Parking Over Things that Burn... 226
PGM-FI System.............................. 225
Polishing and Waxing................... 185
Power
Door Locks................................... 53
Mirrors.......................................... 67
Steering....................................... 157
Windows....................................... 64
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 10
Proper Seat Belt Usage..................... 7
Radiator Overheating.................... 202
Radio/Cassette Sound System....... 84
Rear End Towing........................... 213
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 179 Rear View Mirror............................. 66
Rear Window Defogger.................. 45
Rear Window Wiper and Washer.. 45
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 57
Redining the Second Seats............. 61
Reminder Lights.............................. 35
Remote Transmitter........................ 54
Removing the Second Seats........... 59
Replacement Information Air Cleaner................................. 158
Coolant........................................ 152
Engine Oil and Filter................. 148
Fuses........................................... 209
Light Bulbs................................. 177
Schedule..................................... 138
Spark Plugs................................. 160
Tires............................................ 172 Wiper Blades.............................. 165
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash............................................. 11
Reserve Tank, Coolant.................. 150
Restraint, Child................................ 20
Reverse Gear Position................... 121
Rotation, Tire................................. 172
Safely Belts......................................... 5
Safety Defects, Reporting............... 30
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 31
Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belts............................................ 5 Advice for Pregnant Women...... 10Cleaning...................................... 188
Frayed or Torn............................. 11
Maintenance................................. 11
Reminder Light and Beeper....... 36
Replacement................................. 11
System Components...................... 6
Tether Attachment Points.......... 26 Use During Pregnancy................ 10
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt...... 7
Wearing the Lap Belt.................... 9
Seats.................................................. 56
Adjustments................................. 56ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t