²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
Driving
202
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
Maintenance and care
268
through water .................192, 196
E
Electronic message center .........19
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................222
Emission control system ..........268
Engine ........................................287
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........8
cleaning ...................................278
coolant .....................................241
fail-safe coolant ......................246
idle speed control ...................251
lubrication
specifications ..................285, 287
refill capacities ........................283
service points ..................233±234
starting after a collision .........206
Engine block heater .................174
Engine oil ..................................235
checking and adding ..............235
dipstick ....................................235
filter, specifications ........238, 283
recommendations ...................238
refill capacities ........................283
specifications ..................285, 287
Exhaust fumes ..........................175
F
Fail safe cooling ........................246
Floor mats .................................114
Fluid capacities .........................283
Foglamps .....................................28
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................12, 187control trac .......................50, 188
description ......................188, 190
driving off road .......................191
electronic shift ..........................50
preparing to
drive your vehicle ...................179
Fuel ............................................259
calculating
fuel economy ....................22, 265
cap .....................................10, 264
capacity ...................................283
choosing the right fuel ...........261
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy estimates .........268
detergent in fuel .....................263
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................259, 264±265
filter, specifications ........265, 283
fuel pump shut-off switch .....206
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........265
octane rating ...................262, 287
quality ......................................262
running out of fuel .................263
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................259
Fuses ..................................207, 209
G
Garage door opener ..........101, 103
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ......10, 264
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................265
Gauges ...................................13±14
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................14
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................17
Index
306
