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²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel
economy (approximately 2 km/h [1 mpg] is lost
for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for
example bug deflectors, rollover/light bars,
running boards, ski/luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
²Use of fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel
economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 12±16 km
(8±10 miles) of driving.
²Flat terrain driving improves fuel economy over
hilly roads.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when
operated in the top cruise gear and with steady
pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
Maintenance and care
162
Page 164 of 192

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine compartment
and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,
ªService Engine Soonº light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, items, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº
light is on, refer to the description in theWarning
Lights and Chimessection of theInstrumentation
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
Maintenance and care
164
Page 187 of 192

Fuel
choosing
the right fuel ......... 156
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy
estimates ............... 163
detergent in fuel ... 158
filling your vehicle
with fuel ......... 154,155
gauge ....................... 12
quality .................... 157
running
out of fuel ............. 158
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 154
Fuses ................. 109,110
Gas mileage (see
Fuel economy) ........ 159
160,161,162
Gauges ....................... 12
engine coolant
temperature gauge . 13
engine oil pressure
gauge ....................... 15
Hazard flashers ....... 108
Head restraints ......... 63
Headlamps
aiming ............. 170,171
bulb
specifications ........ 170
high beam ............ 7,44
warning chime ........ 11
Heating ...................... 18
heating and air
conditioning
system ................ 18,20
Hood ........................ 128
Ignition ..................... 182
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 164
Instrument panel ........ 6cleaning ................. 175
Keys
key in ignition
chime ....................... 11
positions of the
ignition .................... 45
removing from the
ignition .................. 101
Lamps
daytime
running light ........... 16
fog lamps ................. 52
headlamps ............... 16
headlamps, flash to
pass .......................... 44
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 17
interior
lamps ......... 49,169,170
replacing bulbs ..... 165
166,167,168,169
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 43
Lights, warning and
indicator
air bag ........................ 7
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) ...................... 10
anti-theft ................... 7
brake ........................ 10
charging system ........ 7
check coolant .......... 11
low fuel ...................... 9
overdrive off .............. 9
safety belt ................. 7
service engine soon .. 8
turn signal indicator . 6
Lumbar support,
seats ...................... 65,66
Manual transmission
reverse ................... 100
Index
187