Page 310 of 399

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or 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 ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your vehicle’s air conditioning is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualif ied mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make
sure the air conditioning works
ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 370
Maint enance
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
307
A A
I
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G
C
CO ON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
Page 355 of 399

Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling/
climate control system and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
1.
2.
3.
7. 6.
5. 4. 237365
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
352
Page 356 of 399

If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
8.
9.
10. 12. 11.
365Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed353
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
Page 395 of 399

...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 232
.........................................
Odometer .68
...............................
Odometer, Trip .69
Oil ........................
Change, How to .287
......................
Change, When to .276
......................
Checking Engine .236
..............
Pressure Indicator . 64,354
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .286
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 82
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 375
............................
Outside Mirrors .116
....................
Overheating, Engine .351
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 283
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .374
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 250
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 232
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 368..............................
Paint Touch-up .331
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 73
........................
Park Gear Position .249
...........................................
Parking .253
...............................
Parking Brake .117
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 253
.............................
PGM-FI System .377
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 331
Power Sliding Doors .................................
Indicator .66, 97
.....................................
Operation .92
.......................................
Switches .93
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 20
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 20
........................
Protecting Children .22
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .32
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 41
.........
Protecting Small Children . 37
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .45 .............................
Using LATCH .47
...................
Radiator Overheating . 351
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 169
...........................
Readiness Codes .357
...............................
Rear A/C Unit .154
.......................
Rear Compartment .124
........
Rear Entertainment System . 205
Rear Lights, Bulb ......................
Replacement .320, 321
..........................
Rear View Mirror .116
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 77
...............................
Rear Windows .115
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 76
.....
Reclining the Seat Backs . 100,103
.........
Reclining the Second Seats . 100
..............
Reclining the Third Seat . 100
.............................
Reminder Lights .63
................
Remote Audio Controls . 187
.............................
Remote Control .211
.......................
Remote Transmitter .84
Removing the Second ...........................................
Seats .108
Index
P
R
O N
VI