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You can open the doors manually using the knob next to
the headlamp assembly. Turn the knob counterclockwise
until the doors are open. Turn the knob clockwise to
close the doors manually.
The headlamp doors should be open when driving in icy
or snowy conditions to prevent the doors from freezing
closed and when washing the vehicle to help clean
the headlamps.
NOTICE:
In order to avoid possible contact of the hood to
the headlamp doors, care should be taken in
raising the hood with the headlamps up, or shut
off the headlamps prior to opening the hood.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, push the turn signal lever all the way forward.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on. To change
the headlamps from high to
low, pull the lever rearward.
Lamps on Reminder
If you turn the ignition off and leave the headlamps or
parking lamps on and open a door, you will hear a chime
reminding you to turn off the lamps.
Flash-to-Pass Feature
To use the flash-to-pass feature, momentarily pull the
turn signal lever toward you. The high
-beam indicator
will flash to indicate to the other driver that you intend
to pass. If the low
-beam headlamps are off and you have
the optional fog lamps on, the fog lamps will flash.
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Windshield Washer
The lever on the right side of the steering column also
controls the windshield washer. There is a pushbutton
at the end of the lever. To spray washer fluid on the
windshield, push the button and hold it. The washer
will spray until you release the button. The wipers will
continue to clear the window for about six seconds after
the button is released and then stop or return to your
preset speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
If the fluid in the windshield washer fluid reservoir is
low, the message LOW WASHER FLUID will appear on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. It will take
60 seconds after the bottle is refilled for this message to
turn off. For information on the correct washer fluid
mixture to use, see ªWindshield Washer Fluidº and
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When using cruise control, the accelerator pedal will
return to its fully
-released position and will not move
while cruise control is engaged.
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Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control.
Many drivers find this to be too much trouble and
don't use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission vehicle.
Move the cruise switch to OFF.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the
message ªCRUISE DISENGAGED.º
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
cruise control set speed memory is erased.Exterior Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make the front turn signal lamps
come on when:
The ignition is on,
the headlamp switch is off and
the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only the front turn signal lamps
will be on. The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't
be lit up either.
To idle the vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake while the ignition is in OFF or LOCK. Then start
the vehicle. The DRL, headlamps and parking lamps
will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
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With Twilight Sentinel turned on, you can idle the
vehicle with the lamps off, even when it's dark outside.
First set the parking brake while the ignition is in OFF
or LOCK. Then start the vehicle. The lamps will stay off
until you release the parking brake.
Twilight Sentinel also provides exterior illumination as
you leave the vehicle. If Twilight Sentinel has turned on
the lamps when you turn off the ignition, your lamps
will remain on until:
The headlamp switch is moved from OFF to the
parking lamp position, or
a delay time that you select has elapsed.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index to
select the delay time that you want. You can also select
no delay time.
If you turn off the ignition with the headlamp switch
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel delay will not occur. The lamps will turn off as
soon as the switch is turned off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This knob controls
the brightness of the
instrument panel lights
when the headlamps or
parking lamps are on.
Push and release the knob and it will pop out.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to dim them.
Parade Mode
The instrument panel brightness knob has an added
feature called parade mode to assist you in seeing
certain instrument panel controls if your headlamps are
on in the daylight. Before turning the courtesy lamps on
by turning the knob all the way clockwise, the radio,
Driver Information Center (DIC) display and heating
and air conditioning controls will come on at their
maximum brightness. This will occur only with the
parking lamps or headlamps on. Turn the knob
counterclockwise to dim the instrument panel lights.
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Courtesy Lamps
When any door or the hatch/trunk lid is opened, the
interior lamps will go on (unless it's bright outside).
You can also turn on the courtesy lamps by turning the
interior brightness control knob all the way clockwise.
Be sure not to have this knob turned all the way down
with the lamps on during the day. Your Driver
Information Center (DIC) may not be visible.
Exit and Entry Lighting
With entry lighting, the interior lamps will come on
when entering the vehicle for up to 20 seconds. With
exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
the key is turned to OFF or a door is ajar for
about 20 seconds.
You can turn exit and entry lighting off by quickly
turning the headlamps on and off or by quickly turning
the courtesy lamp switch on and off.
Reading Lamps
Your inside rearview mirror includes two reading lamps.
The lamps will go on when a door is opened. When
the doors are closed, each lamp can be turned on
individually by pressing the switch (each lamp has its
own switch).
There is also an interior console flood lamp located
underneath the rearview mirror which comes on with the
headlamps or parking lamps.
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Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Instrument Panel Cupholder
The cupholder is located on the center console in front
of the ashtray. To open it, place your thumb on the
left side of the lid and raise the right side with your
index finger.
Center Console Storage
To use this storage area, pull up the lid on the driver's
side front edge of the console and swing it to the
passenger's side.
You can use the key to lock and unlock the console.
Don't leave the key in the lock, or it could be damaged
when the driver sits down.
The fuel filler door release button and accessory power
outlet are located inside the center console.
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2-53 Security Shade (Option)
The security shade can provide hidden storage in the
rear area of the vehicle. The shade is also helpful in
blocking the glare from the removeable roof when it is
stored in the rear compartment.
Using the Security Shade
1. Hook the elastic loops
on the front corners (A)
of the shade to the
T
-nuts located on the
front corners of the rear
hatch frame.
2. Hook the elastic loops on the rear corners (B) of the
shade to the hooks recessed inside the rear hatch
frame, near the rear corners.
Rear Storage Compartments
There are three rear storage compartments in the floor of
the rear hatch/trunk area on the passenger's and driver's
side of the vehicle.
Coupe Shown, Convertible Similar
If you have a coupe or convertible model, your vehicle
will be equipped with three storage compartment lids.
If you have a hardtop, your vehicle will only have a
center storage compartment lid.
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To access a storage compartment, pull up on the latch to
release the lid. Remove the storage compartment lid.
When replacing a storage compartment lid, make sure
the latch is in the correct location so the latch locks
securely into place.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional
trunk
-mounted CD changer, it is stored in the
center rear storage compartment. To help avoid
damage to the compact disc player, do not store
items such as liquids or sharp objects that could
damage, puncture or cut the trunk
-mounted
CD changer or wiring.
NOTICE:
Do not store heavy or sharp objects in the storage
compartments located in the hatch/trunk area.
If you do, the objects could damage the underbody.