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Cornering lamps
When the turn signal is used and the headlamps are on, the cornering
lamps will light either the right or left side depending on the direction of
the turn.
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER CONTROLS
Rotate the windshield wiper control
to the desired interval, low or high
speed position.
The bars of varying length are for
intermittent wipers. When in this
position rotate the control upward
for fast intervals and downward for
slow intervals.
Push the control on the end of the
stalk to activate washer. Push and
hold for a longer wash cycle.
POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories without locking the
steering wheel.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
HI
LO
F
S
OFF
HI
LO
F
S
OFF
3
1
2
5
4
Controls and features
60
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TILT STEERING
Pull the tilt steering control toward
you to move the steering wheel up
or down. Hold the control while
adjusting the wheel to the desired
position, then release the control.
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving.
OVERDRIVE CONTROL
Activating overdrive
(Overdrive) is the normal drive position for the best fuel economy.
The overdrive function allows automatic upshifts and downshifts through
all available gears.
Deactivating overdrive
Press the Transmission Control
Switch (TCS) located on the end of
the gearshift lever. The
Transmission Control Indicator Light
(TCIL) will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
The transmission will operate in all
gears except overdrive. To return to
normal overdrive mode, press the
Transmission Control Switch again.
O/D
ON/OFF
O/D
ON/OFF
Controls and features
61
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2. Make sure the headlamps and vehicle accessories are off.
3. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
4. Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
5. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
If there is difficulty in turning the
key, firmly rotate the steering wheel
left and right until the key turns
freely. This condition may occur
when:
²front wheels are turned
²front wheel is against the curb
²steering wheel is turned when getting in or out of the vehicle
HOOD
1
2
34
5
TRAC
CNTL
0000000
0
0 0 0
E
LOW
FUELCHECK
ENGINEAIR
SUSPOD
OFF
BRAKEAIR
BAG
TEMP OIL VOLTS FUEL
MPH km/h10 203040506070
80
90
10 0
11 0
12 020 406080100
120
140
160
180
200
H H
L C F H
L
< FUEL FILL DOOR
Starting
114
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BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance guide for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check after you start
the engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be
heard during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is found, the ABS
warning light will come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
Driving
118
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The Traction Controlysystem will be on every time you turn the ignition
key from OFF to ON until you deactivate the system using the traction
control switch in the glove compartment.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of
the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
Speed sensitive steering (except police vehicles)
The steering in your vehicle is speed sensitive. At high speeds, steering
assist will decrease to improve steering feel. At lower speeds,
maneuverability will be increased.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system checked by your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance during:
²certain road conditions
²steering maneuvers
²braking
²accelerations
Driving
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Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage
rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause
severe wire damage and could start a fire.
Standard fuse amperage rating and color
COLOR
Fuse
RatingMini
FusesStandard
FusesMaxi
FusesCartridge
Maxi
FusesFuse Link
Cartridge
2A Grey Grey Ð Ð Ð
3A Violet Violet Ð Ð Ð
4A Pink Pink Ð Ð Ð
5A Tan Tan Ð Ð Ð
7.5A Brown Brown Ð Ð Ð
10A Red Red Ð Ð Ð
15A Blue Blue Ð Ð Ð
20A Yellow Yellow Yellow Blue Blue
25A Natural Natural Ð Ð Ð
30A Green Green Green Pink Pink
40A Ð Ð Orange Green Green
50A Ð Ð Red Red Red
60A Ð Ð Blue Ð Yellow
70A Ð Ð Tan Ð Brown
80A Ð Ð Natural Ð Black
Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is located below and to the left of the steering wheel by
the brake pedal. Remove the panel cover to access the fuses.
To remove a fuse use the fuse puller tool provided on the fuse panel
cover.
Roadside emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
12 30A** PCM Power Relay, PCM
13 50A** High Speed Cooling Fan Relay
14 40A** Rear Window Defrost Relay, Also see Fuse
17
15 50A** Anti-Lock Brake Module
16 Ð Not Used
17 30A CB Cooling Fan Relay
Relay 1 Ð Rear Defrost Relay
Relay 2 Ð Horn Relay
Relay 3 Ð Cooling Fan Relay
Relay 4 Ð Air Suspension Pump Relay
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses
Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced
by qualified technicians.
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
Your vehicle may have a temporary or full-size spare tire. The temporary
spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller than a regular
tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace this tire with a
full-size tire as soon as possible.
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
Roadside emergencies
140
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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 transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
DONOTOVERFILLPOWERSTEERINGFLUID
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
164