Stowing the spare
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the interior side facing up.
2. Install the retainer through the
wheel center and slide the wheel
under the vehicle.
3. Turn the wrench clockwise until
the tire is raised to its original
position underneath the vehicle. The
hex nut ratchets when the tire is
raised to the stowed position. It will
not allow you to overtighten.
4. Check seating position of tire for
looseness against the underbody
supports and retighten if necessary.
Ensure the position of the
tire is not too far forward to
avoid contact with the axle.
Tire change procedure
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
All occupants should be out of the vehicle while it is on the jack.
Roadside emergencies
182
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum freeze
protection.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the range between the MIN and
MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap
back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
202
Accessory delay ..........................90
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................131
and child safety seats ............133
description ..............................131
disposal ....................................135
driver air bag ..........................133
indicator light ......................6,135
operation .................................133
passenger air bag ...................133
Air cleaner filter .........204,205,235
Air conditioning ..........................21
automatic temperature
control system ..........................29
Air filter, cabin ..........................207
Anti-theft system ......................104
arming the system ..................104
disarming a triggered
system .....................................105
disarming an untriggered
system .....................................105
Automatic transaxle .................160
driving with .............................161
fluid, refill capacities ..............235
fluid, specification ..................237
Battery .......................................205
acid, treating emergencies .....205
charging system warning
light ..............................................6
jumping a disabled battery ....185
maintenance-free ....................205
replacement, specifications ...235
servicing ..................................205
Brakes ........................................157
anti-lock ............................157,158
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ........................8,158
brake warning light ....................7
fluid, checking and adding ....197
fluid, refill capacities ..............235
fluid, specifications ..........236,237
lubricant specifications ...236,237parking ....................................158
shift interlock ..........................160
Break-in period .............................2
Capacities for refilling fluids ....235
Cargo cover ...............................108
Cargo net ............................107,108
CD changer .................................76
Child safety restraints ..............136
child safety belts ....................136
child safety seats ....................137
Child safety seats ......................137
attaching with tether straps ..141
built-in child seat ...................137
in front seat ............................138
in rear seat .......................138,141
tether anchorage hardware ...143
Cleaning your vehicle ...............230
built-in child seat .....148,151,234
engine compartment ..............232
exterior .............................231,233
exterior lamps .........................233
instrument panel ....................233
interior ..............................233,234
mirrors .....................................234
plastic parts ............................232
safety belts ..............................234
washing ....................................230
waxing .....................................231
wheels ......................................231
windows ..................................234
wiper blades ............................233
Clock ..................................47,59,71
Console
overhead ...............................97,98
Controls ........................93,94,95,96
power seat ...............................111
steering column ........................85
Coolant ...............................198,201
checking and adding ..............199
refill capacities .................201,235
specifications ...................236,237
Customer Assistance ................241
Index
255
