
Fuel Economy
The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicle Condition
Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owner Maintenance
Checks (see page 146). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion. Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try to combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use. Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is moderate.
Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Tires
Inspection
Every time you check inflation, you should also examine the tires for
damage, foreign objects, and wear.
You should look for:
Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
you find either of these conditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see fabric or cord.
Excessive tread wear.
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
Your car's tires have wear indicators molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down to that point, you
will see a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide band running across the tread. This shows there is less than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread left on the tire. A
tire that is this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should replace the tire if you can see the
tread wear indicator in three or more
places around the tire. Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you find a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
The tires were properly balanced by the factory. They may need to be
rebalanced at some time before theyare worn out. Have your dealer
check the tires if you feel a consis-
tent vibration while driving. A tire should always be rebalanced if it is
removed from the wheel for repair.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
TREAD WEAR INDICATORSProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Changing a Flat Tire
9. Loosen the five wheel nuts 1/2 turn with the wheel wrench.
U.S. LX and all Canadian models:
Do not attempt to forcibly pry the
wheel cover off with a screwdriver or other tool. The wheel cover
cannot be removed without first
removing the wheel nuts. 10.Find the jacking point nearest the
wheel you are removing. Place the
jack under the jacking point. Turn the end bracket clockwise until
the top of the jack contacts the
jacking point. Make sure the
jacking point tab is resting in the
jack notch. 11.Use the extension and wheel
wrench as shown to raise the caruntil the flat tire is off the ground.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
WHEEL NUTS
JACKING POINT
EXTENSION
WHEEL WRENCHProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 32
Dashboard Compartment............... 68
Daytime Running Lights................. 40
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 202
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 234
Defogger, Rear Window................. 43
Defrosting the Windows................. 79 DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 157
Dimensions..................................... 220
Dimming the Headlights................ 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 157
Engine Oil................................... 112
Directional Signals........................... 41
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 215
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 125
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 151 Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 50
Power Door Locks....................... 50
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 223
Drive Belts...................................... 170
Driving............................................ 117
Economy..................................... 114
In Bad Weather.......................... 126
In Foreign Countries................. 109
Economy, Fuel............................... 114
Emergencies on the Road............. 193
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 202
Changing a Flat Tire................. 195
Charging System Indicator ...... 207
Checking the Fuses................... 211
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 206
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 208
Manually Closing Sunroof........ 209
Overheated Engine................... 204
Emergency Brake............................ 65
Emergency Flashers....................... 43
Emission Controls......................... 225
Engine
Belts............................................. 170
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 38
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 34, 208
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 34, 206 Oil, What Kind to Use............... 148
Overheating................................ 204
Specifications............................. 221
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 109
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 225
Exhaust Fumes................................ 29
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 10
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 186
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 188
Fan, Interior...................................... 74
Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 73
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 110
Filter
Air................................................ 160
Oil................................................ 150
First Gear Position......................... 122 Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 43
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 195
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 157
Brake........................................... 158
Power Steering........................... 159
Windshield Washer................... 156
FM Stereo Radio
Reception...................................... 97
Folding the Second Seats ............... 58
Folding the Third Seats.................. 60
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 109
Four-way Flashers........................... 43
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker...................................... 215
Fuel.................................................. 108
Fill Door and Cap....................... 110
Gauge............................................ 38
Octane Requirement................. 108
Oxygenated................................ 108
Tank, Filling the......................... 110
Fuses, Checking the...................... 211
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 114
Gasohol........................................... 108
Gasoline.......................................... 108
Gauge............................................ 38
Octane Requirement................. 108
Tank, Filling the......................... 110
Gas Station Procedures................. 110
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature .... 38
Fuel................................................ 38
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 120
Glass Cleaning............................... 189
Glove Box......................................... 53
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 179 Hazard Warning Flashers............... 43
Headlights......................................... 40 Aiming......................................... 177
Daytime Running Lights............. 40
High Beam Indicator................... 36
High Beams, Turning on............ 40Low Beams, Turning on............. 40
Reminder Chime.......................... 40
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 179
Turning on....................................
40
Head Restraints...............................
56Heating and Cooling........................ 74
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 119
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 40
Hood, Opening the ........................ 111
Horn................................................... 39
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 152
Hydroplaning.................................. 129
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 218
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 215
Ignition
Keys............................................... 49
Switch............................................ 49
Timing Control System............. 226
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel..............................................33
Infant Restraint................................ 22
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 171
Inside Mirror.................................... 64
Inspection, Tire.............................. 173
Instrument Panel............................. 33
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 41
Interior Cleaning............................ 188
Interior Lights.................................. 70ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t