Page 82 of 374

2-17
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
and release the shift lever button as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and move
the shift lever into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out
of PARK (P)º in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transmission.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn't covered by your warranty.
Page 90 of 374

2-25
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. With four
-wheel drive if your transfer
case is in NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free
to roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear
-- not
in NEUTRAL (N). If you're pulling a trailer, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the lever and pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of your vehicle.
3. If you have four
-wheel drive, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Move the key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
Page 92 of 374
2-27
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in the ON position. See ªAutomatic
Transmissionº in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish
to be in.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Apply the parking brake until the end of Step 6.
2. If the engine is running, turn it off. Turn the key to
ON or ACC.
Page 105 of 374

2-40 Automatic Light Control (ALC)
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic light
sensor on top of the instrument panel, so be sure it
is not covered. If it is, the nighttime lights will remain
on continuously.
When it is dark enough outside, your ALC will turn on
your low
-beam headlamps at the normal brightness
along with other lamps such as the taillamps,
sidemarker, park lamps and instrument panel lights.
There is a short delay in the transition between daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) and the ALC systems. If the light sensor senses
a reduction in lighting that lasts longer than 5 seconds,
it will activate the nighttime lamps. If you are driving
through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a
tunnel, the ALC will turn on your low
-beam headlamps
at a normal brightness along with the taillamps,
sidemarker, park lamps and the instrument panel lights.
The radio lights will be dimmer.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Lamps On Reminder
If you turn the ignition off, remove the key, open the
door and leave the lamps on, a tone will remind you to
turn off your lamps.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
The thumbwheel controls
the brightness of your
instrument panel lights.
Rotate the wheel upward
to brighten the lights or
downward to dim them.
Page 106 of 374

2-41 Dome Lamp
The dome lamp has a three-position switch.
OFF: This position is to the left when you are sitting
in the driver's seat. The lamp will stay off even when a
door is opened.
Center: This is the center position. The lamp will come
on when a door is opened. After a door is closed, the
dome lamp will stay on for 15 seconds.
ON: This position is to the right when you are sitting
in the driver's seat. The dome lamp will turn on and stay
on whether or not a door is open.
Battery Rundown Protection
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When the dome lamp is left on and the ignition is turned
off and the key is removed, the battery saver system will
automatically turn the lamp off after about 15 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery. This system does
not protect against leaving on the headlamps or
parking lamps.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
An inside rearview mirror is attached to your windshield.
The mirror is able to move so that you can adjust it up
and down or side to side. The mirror is equipped with
reading lamps and map lamps.
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving.
Pull the tab for night driving to reduce glare. Push the
tab for daytime driving.
Outside Manual Adjust Mirrors
Adjust these mirrors by hand so that you can just
see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Page 108 of 374

2-43
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch toward you.
Use your key to lock and unlock the glove box.
The glove box has a two
-position detent for opening the
door. Lower the door to the first detent for access to the
glove box. Pull it to the next detent for further access.
Door Storage
Each side door has a storage compartment.
Coinholder
Your instrument panel has a coinholder located to the
left of the steering wheel.
Cupholder
Two cupholders are on the center console next to the
parking brake lever.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
You may have a convenience net in the rear of your
vehicle to help keep small items, like gloves and light
clothing, in place during sharp turns or quick stops
and starts.The net is not designed to retain these items during
off
-road use. The net is not for larger, heavier items.
Attach the loops to the hooks located along the sides of
the rear cargo area. You may attach the convenience net
loops to either the forward or the rear hooks.
Lockable Storage Compartment and
Cargo Cover (Option)
If your two-door vehicle has the optional lockable
storage compartment, you can use it to cover and secure
items in the cargo area of your vehicle. The closeout
panel can be removed to allow for extra cargo space.
To remove the close
-out panel, do the following:
1. Remove the two
attaching screws from
each lower corner of
the cargo area.
Page 113 of 374

2-48
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
To use the lighter, the ignition key must be in ON
or ACC. Push the lighter in all the way and let go.
When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
Pull the door to open the ashtray. To remove it, press
down on the silver tab and pull the ashtray out. To
replace the ashtray, push it in until the silver tab latches.
The rear ashtray is on the back of the center console.
Push on the left side of the the ashtray. The ashtray
will turn clockwise for usage. To remove the rear
ashtray, press down on the tab and pull it out.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn
into your ashtray. If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also swing them to the side. The visors have
extensions to give additional sun blockage.
Accessory Power Outlet
With the accessory power outlet, you can plug in
auxiliary electrical equipment. The accessory power
outlet is located in the center console near the parking
brake. Just remove the cap from the outlet and follow
the proper instructions that are included with any
electrical equipment you may install.
These circuits are protected by a fuse and have maximum
current levels.
Page 125 of 374

2-60
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a tone will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on until the driver's belt
is buckled.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag modules, and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module. For more information on
the air bag system, see ªAir Bagº in the Index.