2-115
Message Center
The message center is located on the left side of the
instrument panel cluster. It gives you important safety
and maintenance facts. When you turn the ignition on,
the entire center lights up for just a few seconds. As
needed, the message center will display one of the
following messages. The message center is capable of
alternating among different messages if needed.
Battery
If this message is displayed
when the engine is running,
you may have a problem
with your charging system.The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
RUN until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or some
other charging system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving with this message displayed could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and the air conditioner.
2-119
Reduced Engine Power
(V8 Gasoline Engines Only)
This message is displayed
when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot
and the engine further
enters the engine coolant
protection mode.
If your vehicle is equipped with the 8.1L engine, this
light may come on because of an electronic throttle
control system fault. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the
Index for further information.
Check Eng Oil Pressure
This message is displayed
when the engine oil pressure
is low.
See ªOil Pressure Gageº in the Index for
more information.
Check Eng Oil Level (Gasoline Engine)
This message is displayed
when the engine oil
level is low.
Once oil is added, it may need time to drain and settle in
the engine before this message will turn off. It is best to
let the engine cool down (if it is hot) or warm up (if it is
cold) and cycle the ignition to be sure this message turns
off. Refer to the dipstick for the correct level.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index on how to check the oil
level and for what type of oil to add.
3-4
(Blend): Airflow is delivered through the floor
outlets, center floor console outlets (if equipped), the
windshield defroster outlets and the side window
defroster outlets. The air conditioning compressor may
run to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging.
(Defrost): This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster outlets, side window
defroster outlets and some air through the floor and
center floor console outlets (if equipped). If air from the
center floor console is not desired, or more defroster
performance is desired, turn the vents off at the
console. When in defrost mode, the air conditioning
compressor may run to dehumidifying the air and limit
window fogging.
(Outside Air): Press this button to direct the
system to use outside air.
Pressing the outside air button will cancel the
recirculation button.
(Recirculation): Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering the vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to limit odors entering the
vehicle or attempting to quickly cool down the interior.
Pressing recirculation will recirculate air continuously.
Recirculation is used when the fan is OFF to limit odors,
outside air and dust from entering your vehicle. All
button lights will go off. The last setting selected will
activate when the fan is turned back on.
Pressing the recirculation button will cancel the outside
air button. To return to normal operation and to prevent
stale air, be sure to return to outside air.
If the mode knob is placed between floor and blend
mode, outside air is forced to reduce window fogging.
If the recirculation button is pressed, the LED indicator
will flash three times indicating that forced outside air is
activated and recirculation is not available.
3-5
The auto recirculation feature will activate when the
following are true:
The air conditioning system is activated,
the outside air button is on, and
the vehicle load is high due to city traffic, extended
idling or hot weather.
The system will automatically switch to the recirculation
mode to lower the system load and improve interior
comfort. The outside air and recirculation button LEDs
will not change. The system will return to the outside air
function when the system load is reduced.
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn
the air conditioning on and off. The system will cool and
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle when the A/C light
is on.
Air conditioning will be automatically disabled when
the outside temperature drops below a level at which
air conditioning is effective.
Electronic Climate Control System
(If Equipped)
Fan Control
The knob on the left side of the electronic climate
control panel operates the fan speed. To manually
increase airflow, move the knob clockwise. To manually
decrease airflow, move it counterclockwise.
OFF: If the knob is in OFF, outside air will still enter
the vehicle, and will be directed based on the position of
the mode knob.
3-7
(Blend): Airflow is divided equally between the
floor outlet and the windshield defroster outlets. The air
conditioning compressor may run to dehumidify the air
to prevent window fogging.
(Defrost): This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster outlets with airflow
also delivered from the side window and the floor
outlets. When in defrost mode, the air conditioning
compressor may run to dehumidify the air and limit
window fogging.
(Outside Air): Press this button to force the
system to use outside air. Press it again to close off the
outside air.
Pressing the outside air button will cancel the
recirculation button.
(Recirculation): Press this button to limit the
amount of outside air entering your vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to limit odors entering your
vehicle or attempting to quickly cool down the interior.
In the AUTO mode, the system will use recirculation as
necessary to cool the air. Pressing the recirculation
button will change the operation to a manual mode and
the air will recirculate non
-stop. Press this button again
to turn off the recirculation feature.
Recirculation may be selected with the fan control in
OFF to limit odors, outside air and dust from entering
your vehicle.
Pressing the recirculation button will cancel the outside
air button.
A/C: Press this button to turn the air conditioning
on and off. The system will cool and dehumidify the air
inside the vehicle when the A/C light is on. When in
AUTO, the A/C is automatically engaged when necessary.
Air conditioning will be automatically disabled when
the outside air temperature drops below a level at which
air conditioning is effective.
Remember that in order for the automatic system to perform
well, it needs A/C to provide cooling performance.
3-8
Mode Knob -- Automatic Operation
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery. When the system is
set for automatic operation, sensors will control the air
delivery mode. Air will come primarily from the floor or
instrument panel outlets, with some air directed to the
windshield to prevent fogging.
When the system is in AUTO mode, the air conditioning
light will turn on, and the recirculation and outside air
lights turn off. With the system in full auto control
(both the fan and mode knobs in AUTO), you still
have the ability to override any function. However,
continually overriding the outside air or the A/C
compressor will limit the ability of the system to
cool the vehicle quickly.
If you push a button for a function which is not
available, the light next to that button will flash
three times to alert you that it's not available.
To find your comfort zone, start with the 74F (23C)
setting and allow about 20 minutes for the system to
adjust the temperature if necessary.With the automatic setting, the air conditioning
compressor automatically cycles when needed to cool
the air. In cold weather, when the system senses the need
for heat, the airflow will be directed out of the floor
outlets. As the interior temperature approaches a desired
setting, the fan speed will decrease. To maintain interior
comfort, the airflow will adjust between the instrument
panel outlets and floor outlets. On bright sunny days in
cool weather, the airflow may come out of the air
conditioning and floor outlets (bi
-level mode) to
maintain comfort and prevent stuffiness.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air
temperature, engine coolant temperature or the time
since the engine was last started. As the coolant warms
up, the fan speed will gradually increase and air will
flow from the floor outlets, with some airflow to
the windshield to prevent fogging under most
normal conditions.
Be careful not to put anything over the solar sensor
located around the center of the instrument panel.
This sensor is used by the automatic system to
regulate temperature.
3-16 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
Playing the Radio
PWR (Power): Press this knob to turn the system on
and off.
VOL (Volume): Turn this knob clockwise to increase
volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.
The knob is capable of turning continuously.SCV (Speed
-Compensated Volume): With SCV, your
audio system adjusts automatically to make up for road
and wind noise as you drive. Set the volume at the
desired level. Turn the control ring behind the upper
knob clockwise to adjust the SCV. Each notch on the
control ring allows for more volume compensation at
faster vehicle speeds. Then, as you drive, SCV
automatically increases the volume, as necessary, to
overcome noise at any speed. The volume level should
always sound the same to you as you drive. If you don't
want to use SCV, turn the control all the way down.
RECALL: Pressing this button will display the station
being played or it will display the clock. Clock display
is available with the ignition turned off.
Finding a Station
AM FM: Press this button to switch between AM, FM1
and FM2. The display will show your selection.
TUNE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn it to
choose radio stations. Push the knob back into its stored
position when you're not using it.
3-18
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)
BASS: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob clockwise to increase bass and counterclockwise to
decrease bass.
TREB (Treble): Press this knob lightly so it extends.
Turn the knob clockwise to increase treble and
counterclockwise to decrease treble. If a station is weak
or noisy, you may want to decrease the treble.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you're not using them.
AUTO TONE: This feature allows you to choose
bass and treble equalization settings designed for
country/western, jazz, talk, pop, rock and
classical stations.
Each time you press the AUTO TONE button, this
feature will switch to one of these program types.
To return the bass and treble to the manual mode, either
press and release the AUTO TONE button until the
display goes blank or press and release the BASS or
TREB knobs and turn them until the display goes blank.Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
BAL (Balance): Press this knob lightly so it extends.
Turn the knob clockwise to adjust sound to the right
speakers and counterclockwise to adjust sound to the left
speakers. The middle position balances the sound
between the speakers.
FADE: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the
knob clockwise to adjust the sound to the front speakers
and counterclockwise for the rear speakers. The middle
position balances the sound between the speakers.
Push these knobs back into their stored positions when
you're not using them.
Playing a Compact Disc
Insert a disc partway into the slot, label side up. The
player will pull it in. Wait a few seconds and the disc
should play. CD and a CD symbol will also appear on
the display. Anytime you are playing a CD, the letters
CD will be next to the CD symbol.
If an error appears on the display, see ªCompact Disc
Messagesº later in this section.
1 PREV (Previous): Press this pushbutton to search for
the previous track. If you hold this pushbutton or press it
more than once, the disc will advance further. Sound is
muted in this mode.