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2-48 Battery Saver
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent you from
draining the battery in case you accidentally leave an
interior or trunk lamp on. If you leave any of these
lamps on while the ignition is in ACCESSORY or
OFF, they will automatically turn off after 20 minutes.
The lamps won't come back on until you do one of
the following:
Turn the ignition to ON,
turn the instrument panel brightness thumbwheel all
the way up or
open or close and reopen a door that is closed.
If the vehicle has less than 15 miles (25 km) on the
odometer, the battery saver will turn off the lamps after
only three minutes.
Mirrors
Adjust all mirrors so you can see clearly when you are
sitting in a comfortable position.
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
To reduce glare from any lights or headlamps behind
you, push the lever located on the bottom center of the
mirror away from you to the night position. To return
the mirror back to the day position, pull the lever
toward you.
Page 117 of 363

2-53 Center Console
To open the storage area located between the driver's
and passenger's seat, press back on the front edge and
lift the cover. The console has a cassette tape and
compact disc storage area and a coinholder. The
cupholder is located below the storage area. Push down
on the door and the cupholder will come out.
Rear Console Cupholders
Two cupholders are located in the rear of the front
console. Pull down to use the cupholders.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You'll see it
on the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you're not using it. You can also push the net down and
secure it under the plastic hooks.
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
When your vehicle is delivered, the ashtray and cigarette
lighter will be in a plastic bag placed in the center
console storage area. If the ashtray and lighter are
needed, insert the ashtray and holder into the stationary
open cupholder in front of the shift lever.
The cigarette lighter outlet is located behind a flip
-out
door below the heating and air conditioning controls.
Page 129 of 363
2-65
The main components of your instrument panel are listed below:
A. Side Window Defogger Vents
B. Instrument Panel Vents
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Windshield Wipers/Washer Fluid Lever
F. Cruise Control (CRUISE) Button
G. Hazard Warning Button
H. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel
J. Fog Lamp Switch (If Equipped)
K. Trunk Lid Release Button
L. Storage BinM. Trip Odometer
N. Tilt Wheel Lever (located on the steering
wheel column)
O. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
P. Horn
Q. Cruise Control Buttons
R. Ignition Switch
S. Heated Seat Switches, (If Equipped)
T. Accessory Power Outlets
U. Comfort Controls
V. Audio System
W. Glove Box
Page 210 of 363

4-27
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Page 217 of 363
4-34
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire
-Loading Information label
is inside the trunk lid. The label tells you the proper size,
speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for
the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number of people that can be in
your vehicle and the total weight you can carry. This
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory
-installed options.
The other label is the Certification label, found on
the rear edge of the driver's door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
Page 218 of 363
4-35
If you do have a heavy load, spread it out. Don't carry
more than 167 lbs. (75 kg) in your trunk.
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
Page 222 of 363

4-39 Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You'll find these numbers on the
Tire
-Loading Information label inside of the trunk lid or
see ªLoading Your Vehicleº in the Index. Then be sure
you don't go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It's important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper
-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don't seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle. See ªCarbon Monoxideº in the Index.
Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer's recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into
your vehicle's brake system. If you do, both brake
systems won't work well, or at all.
Page 247 of 363
5-21 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you need is in the trunk.
1. Turn the center
nut on the compact
spare tire cover
counterclockwise
to remove it.
Then lift and
remove the cover.
2. Remove the compact spare tire. See ªCompact Spare
Tireº in the Index for more information about the
compact spare.