Engine Oil
Maintenance
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
6-cylinder models
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Adding Oil
4-cylinder models
Engine Oil
6. Refill the engine with the recom- mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity (including filter):
(4-cylinder models)
4.5 US qt (4.3 , 3.8 Imp qt)
(6-cylinder models)
4.6 US qt (4.4 , 3.9 Imp qt)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Maintenance
NOTICE
OIL FILTER
6-cylinder models
Air Conditioning System
Optional for U.S. DX model
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently.
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant.
If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page 328.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Maintenance
NOTICE
NOTICE
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motoristsexperience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 296
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 297
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 302 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 303
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 304
Jump Starting................................. 304 If Your Engine Overheats............. 307
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 309Charging System Indicator........... 310
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 311 Readiness Codes........................ 312
Brake System Indicator................ 313 Closing the Moonroof................... 314
Fuses............................................... 315 Checking and Replacing........... 316
Emergency Towing....................... 320
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts flashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 182). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 234). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving. (See Emergency
Towing on page 320.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
Index
Accessories and Modifications.... 186 Accessories................................. 186Additional Safety Precaution.... 187 Modifications............................. 187
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 74
Accessory Power Socket.............. 106
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 234
Airbag (SRS) ...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element...................... 253
Air Conditioning............................. 110
Maintenance............................... 265
Usage.......................................... 110
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 266
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 268
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 331
Antifreeze....................................... 239
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Description................................. 204
Indicator............................... 55, 205
Operation.................................... 204
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 73
Appearance Care........................... 287
Audio System................ 125, 137, 153
Automatic Speed Control................
68
Automatic Transmission............... 196
Capacity, Fluid........................... 326
Checking Fluid Level....... 247, 249
Shifting........................................ 196
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 197
Shift Lever Positions................. 197
Shift Lock Release..................... 200
Battery Charging System Light...... 54, 310
Jump Starting............................. 304
Maintenance............................... 260
Specifications............................. 329
Before Driving............................... 177
Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder............................ 104
Body Repair.................................... 296
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 204Break-in, New Linings .............. 178
Bulb Replacement..................... 281
Fluid............................................ 251
Parking........................................ 101
System Indicator.......................... 55
Wear Indicators......................... 203
Braking System.............................. 203
Break-in, New Car......................... 178 Brightness Control, Instruments... 63
Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 281
Brake Lights............................... 281Ceiling Light............................... 282
Courtesy Light........................... 283
Front Parking Lights................. 278
Front Side Marker Lights......... 277
Headlights.................................. 276
High-mount Brake Light.......... 281
License Plate Lights.................. 281
Specifications............................. 327
Spotlight...................................... 283
Trunk Light................................ 284
Turn Signal Lights..................... 277
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 276
CONTINUED
Index
Capacities Chart............................. 326
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying Cargo.............................. 188
Cassette Player
Care.............................................151
Operation........................... 130, 148
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.......................... 133, 165
CD Player........................................ 142
Certification Label......................... 324
Chains............................................. 273
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 297 Changing Engine Coolant.............
241
Changing Oil
How to......................................... 235
When to....................................... 224
Charging System Indicator .... 54, 310
Checklist, Before Driving............. 192 Childproof Door Locks................... 79
Child Seats........................................ 27 Tether Anchorage Points........... 38
Cleaner, Air.................................... 253
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 289 Carpeting.................................... 290
Exterior....................................... 288
Fabric.......................................... 291
Interior........................................ 290
Seat Belts.................................... 292
Vinyl............................................ 291 Window....................................... 292
Climate Control System................ 117
Clock, Setting the .......................... 102
Clutch Fluid.................................... 252
CO in the Exhaust......................... 333
Coin Box......................................... 103
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 194
Compact Spare............................... 296
Console Compartment.................. 103
Consumer Information*................ 340
Controls, Instruments and..............
51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 239Checking..................................... 184
Proper Solution.......................... 239
Temperature Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 293
Crankcase Emissions Control System......................................... 333
Cruise Control Operation............... 68
Customer Relations Office........... 340
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii Dashboard........................................ 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 63
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 344 Defogger, Rear Window................. 64
Dimensions..................................... 328
Dimming the Headlights................ 62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission . 247, 248
Engine Oil................................... 182
Directional Signals........................... 64
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 203
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 238 Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 74
Power Door Locks....................... 75
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 329
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 195
Drive Belts...................................... 266
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Index
Driving............................................ 191 Economy..................................... 185
In Bad Weather.......................... 209
In Foreign Countries................. 332
Economy, Fuel............................... 185
Emergencies on the Road............. 295 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 304
Brake System Indicator............ 313Changing a Flat Tire................. 297
Charging System Indicator...... 310
Checking the Fuses................... 316
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 309
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 311 Manually Closing Moonroof.... 314
Overheated Engine................... 307
Emergency Brake.......................... 101
Emergency Flashers....................... 66
Emergency Towing....................... 320
Emissions Controls........................ 333
Engine
Belts.............................................266
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 59 Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 55, 311
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 54, 309 Oil, What Kind to Use............... 234
Overheating................................ 307
Specifications............................. 327
Speed Limiter..................... 196, 200
Starting........................................ 193
Engine Speed Limiter........... 196, 200
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 331
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 333
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 17
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 290
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 291
Fan, Interior.................................... 110
Features, Comfort and Convenience............................... 109
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 178
Filter
Air Conditioning........................ 266
Oil................................................ 234 5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 249
5-speed Manual Transmission Shifting the................................. 195
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 66
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 297
Fluids Automatic Transmission .. 247, 248
Brake...........................................251
Clutch.......................................... 252
Manual Transmission............... 249 Power Steering........................... 252
Windshield Washer................... 246
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 158
Folding Rear Seat............................ 92
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 332
Four-way Flashers........................... 66
Fuel.................................................. 178 Fill Door and Cap....................... 178Gauge............................................ 58
Octane Requirement................. 178
Oxygenated................................ 331
Tank, Filling the......................... 178
Fuses, Checking the...................... 316
CONTINUED