Indicator Lights
The instrument panel has many indicators to give you importantinformation about your vehicle.
Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
* The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian model
are noted in the text.
Instruments and Controls
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROLINDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKESYSTEM INDICATOR*
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR*
POWER SLIDING
DOOR INDICATOR
SEAT BELTREMINDER
LIGHT
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
DOOR AND BRAKE LAMP MONITOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMPProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Indicator Lights
Malfunction IndicatorLamp
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 301.
Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 302 .
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, itindicates a problem in thesupplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 50 . Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It comes on when you turn the ignition switch ON (II) as a
reminder to check the parking
brake. If the parking brake is not set, it goes off after the engine
starts. If the parking brake is set,
it goes off when you release the
parking brake with the engine running. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake while the engine
is running, or comes on whiledriving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
information, see page 304 .
Instruments and Controls
See page 303 .
S R S
U.S.
Canada
BRAKEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Driving in Bad Weather
Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-
tions.
Driving Technique — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem just barely damp. Applysmooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery. Visibility — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defroster and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
pages 135 and 144 ).
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Owner Maintenance Checks
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 186.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 187 .
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 242 .
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page 243.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 244. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
257.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page 264.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Air Conditioning System
Your vehicle's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualified mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to makesure the air conditioning works
efficiently.
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them. AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER
Run the air conditioning at least once a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten minutes while you are driving at asteady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a). (See Specifications on page 316.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Maintenance
NOTICE
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. 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 vehicle towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 286
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 287
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 296
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor OperatesVery Slowly......................... 296
The Starter Operates
Normally.................................297
Jump Starting................................. 297 If Your Engine Overheats............. 299
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 301
Charging System Indicator........... 302
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 303
Brake System Indicator................ 304
Fuses............................................... 305
Checking and Replacing........... 306
Emergency Towing....................... 311
Taking Care of the UnexpectedProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page 186). Although oil
level and oil pressure are not directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressureduring cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 233). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Emergency
Towing on page 311.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Index
Emergencies on the Road Brake System Indicator............ 304
Changing a Flat Tire................. 287
Charging System Indicator...... 302
Checking the Fuses................... 305
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 301
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 303 Overheated Engine................... 299
Emergency Brake.......................... 116
Emergency Flashers....................... 70
Emergency Towing....................... 311
Emissions Controls........................ 323
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 63
Drive Belts.................................. 256
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp............................... 58, 303
Oil Pressure Indicator........58, 301
Oil, What Kind to Use...............
233
Overheating................................
299
Specifications.............................
317
Ethanol i n
Gasoline .......................
321
Evaporative Emission
s
Controls..
323
Exhaust Fumes...............................
.
53
Exhaust Gas Recirculation System......................................... 324 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 20
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 278
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 280
Fan, Interior...........................130, 142 Features, Comfort and Convenience............................... 129
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 183
Filters
Air................................................246
Air Conditioning........................ 256
Oil................................................ 235
First Gear Position......................... 201
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 70
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 287
Fluids
Automatic Transmission...........
243
Brake...........................................244
Powe r
Steering........................... 245
Windshield Washer................... 242
FM Stereo Radio Reception............................150, 162
Folding the Third Seat..................110
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 322
Four-way Flashers........................... 70
Front End, Towing by Emergency
Wrecker...................................... 311
Fuel..................................................182
Fill Door and Cap....................... 183
Gauge............................................ 63
Octane Requirement................. 182
Oxygenated................................ 321
Reserve Indicator......................... 61
Tank, Filling the......................... 183
Fuses, Checking the...................... 306
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 188
Gasohol........................................... 321
Gasoline.......................................... 182
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 61
Gauge............................................ 63
Octane Requirement................. 182
Tank, Filling the......................... 183
Gas Station Procedures................. 183
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 63
Fuel................................................63ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t