2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-5 Memory (Option)
2
-7 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-12 Hatch/Trunk Lid Release
2
-15 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-17 PASS-Key
2-18 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-18 Ignition Switch
2
-20 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-27 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-31 Parking Brake
2
-32 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-34 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-34 Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission)2
-35 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-35 Engine Exhaust
2
-36 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-36 Limited-Slip Rear Axle
2
-37 Selective Real Time Damping (SRTD) (Option)
2
-38 Windows
2
-40 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-47 Exterior Lamps
2
-49 Interior Lamps
2
-51 Mirrors
2
-52 Storage Compartments
2
-57 Roof Panel (Option)
2
-63 Convertible Top (Option)
2
-70 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-73 Warning Lights, Gages and Messages
2
-88 Driver Information Center (DIC)
2-22
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your Warranty Book before using your vehicle for
racing or other competitive driving.
NOTICE:
If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, your engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels
can damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil
level often during racing or other competitive
driving and keep the level at or near the upper
mark on the engine oil dipstick. You may need
to add oil. See ªAdding Oilº under ªEngineº in
the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
The engine coolant heater is located on the driver's side
of the engine under the manifold.
In very cold weather, 0F (
-18C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
2-23 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The electrical cord is attached to the generator
bracket assembly, between the generator and the
windshield washer fluid tank.With headlamps closed,
route the cord in the opening between the left hand
headlamp door and the fender panel. Do not pinch
the cord when closing the hood.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt
AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a
properly grounded three
-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If
the cord won't reach, use a heavy
-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don't, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the outside temperature, the kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to
list everything here, we ask that you contact your dealer in
the area where you'll be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give you the best advice for that particular area.
3-11 Heating
The heater works best if you keep the windows closed.
Maximum heating will occur when airflow direction is
in the lower mode and the temperature control knob
(on a manual climate control system) is all the way in
the red area. These settings will be selected by the
automatic electronic dual climate control system if
operating in AUTO when maximum heating is required.
The BI
-LEVEL setting is designed for use on sunny
days when the air is only moderately warm or cool.
On days like these, the sun may adequately warm your
upper body, but your lower body may not be warm
enough. The BI
-LEVEL setting will direct cooler
airflow to your upper body and warmer air to the
floor area.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use it
during cold weather 0F (
-18C) or lower, the
heating system will provide heat more quickly because
the coolant is already warmed. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
To rapidly defrost the windshield, the FRONT defrost
mode (automatic electronic dual climate control system)
or defrost mode (manual control system) should be used
and the fan speed should be adjusted to the highest
speed. With the manual control system, turn the
temperature control knob all the way to the red area.
To keep the windshield clear and provide heated air to
the floor area of the vehicle, use the DEFOG setting.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located near the side rearview mirrors.
Rear Window Defogger
REAR: This button turns the rear defogger and
the heated outside mirrors on. The light on the button
will come on when operating. The system automatically
shuts off after approximately 15 minutes. If further
defogging is desired, press the button again and it will
operate for about seven and a half more minutes.
The rear window defogger operates only when the
engine is running.
3-12
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window. Do not attach
anything like a temporary vehicle license or a decal
across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something sharp on
the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
Your vehicle's flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the fan is running.
Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of the windows.When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
blower fan to the highest speed for a few moments
before driving off. This helps clear the intake outlets
of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging the inside of the windows.
Keep the area around the base of the center
instrument panel console and air path under the seats
clear of objects. This helps air circulate throughout
the vehicle.
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all its controls, to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is off. See ªRetained
Accessory Powerº in the Index.
Setting the Clock
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears. Press
and hold MN until the correct minute appears.
4-31
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well
-charged battery
to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground will damage drivetrain components.
5-10
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. See ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº in the Index.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high
-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE () or
THIRD (3) for automatic transmissions.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn't come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see ªOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Modeº listed previously in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-12
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the FULL COLD mark. If it isn't, you may
have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans should be running.
If they aren't, your vehicle needs service.