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
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-8 Keyless Entry System (Option)
2
-13 Hatch
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm System (Option)
2
-19 PASS-Key II
2
-28 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-29 Ignition Positions
2
-31 Starting Your Engine
2
-34 Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
2
-35 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-39 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-42 Parking Brake
2
-44 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-46 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-46 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
2
-47 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-47 Engine Exhaust
2
-48 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-49 Limited-Slip Rear Axle
2
-49 Tilt Wheel
2
-50 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-56 Exterior Lamps
2
-58 Interior Lamps
2
-59 Mirrors
2
-61 Storage Compartments
2
-65 T-Top Roof Panels (Option)
2
-72 Convertible Top (If Equipped)
2
-80 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-84 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-34
Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
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.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is attached to the outside of the underhood
fuse box.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
11 0
-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.
3-3
BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air through the
upper air vents and the heater ducts.
VENT: This setting directs air through the upper
air vents.
HEATER: This setting directs most of the air
through the heater ducts and some of the air through the
windshield defroster vents.
BLEND: This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents and the heater ducts.
DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster vents and some of the
air through the heater ducts.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
1. Turn the air knob to A/C for normal cooling. For
faster cooling turn the knob to MAX.
2. Turn the temperature knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the air knob to HEATER.
2. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature knob to a
comfortable setting.
If your vehicle is equipped with an engine coolant heater,
you can use it in cold weather (around 20F/
-8C or
lower) to improve heater performance on initial start up.
See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Bi
-Level
You may want to use BI
-LEVEL on cool, but sunny
days. This setting directs cool air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Turn the air knob to BI
-LEVEL.
2. Turn the temperature knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
3-4 Defogging and Defrosting
1. Turn the air knob to DEFROST.
2. Turn the temperature knob to the
desired setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
The side window defogging works equally as well in the
heater, blend and defrost modes.
Rear Window Defogger (Option)
The rear window defogger
uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the
rear window.Press the button to turn on the defogger. An indicator
light will come on to remind you that the defogger is
on. The defogger will turn off automatically after about
10 minutes of use. If you turn it on again, the defogger
will operate for about five minutes only. You can also
turn the defogger off by pressing the button again. The
indicator light will go off when the system is turned off.
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 else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
3-5 Ventilation System
Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the vents.
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 blower
fan is running.For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through
your vehicle.
1. Turn the air knob to VENT.
2. Turn the temperature knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan knob to the desired speed.
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 your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan knob clockwise for a few moments before
driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow
and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
4-29
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
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
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 DRIVE (D) 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.
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
5-11
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick. When the engine is cold, the
coolant level should be at FULL COLD. 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.