Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG or the air bag symbol. The
system checks the air bag's electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag
sensors, the air bag modules, the wiring and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module. For more information
on the air bag system, see
Supplemental In¯atable
Restraint (SIR) on page 1-44.
This light will come on when you start your vehicle, and
it will ¯ash for a few seconds. Then the light should
go out. This means the system is ready.If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not in¯ate in a crash, or they
could even in¯ate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should ¯ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem. United States
Canada
3-42
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED ± 23:If it's dark enough
outside and the headlamps and Twilight Sentinelž
controls are off, this message will display on the DIC.
This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended even though the DRL
are still illuminated. It has become dark enough outside
to require the headlamps and/or other exterior lamps.
This message will also appear if the optional
RainsenseŸ wiping feature is on and the Twilight
Sentinel
žis off.
ICE POSSIBLE ± 13:This message appears when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR ± 142:The left rear door is
open or ajar when this message appears. The ignition
must be in ON and the transaxle not in PARK (P) for this
message to display. A chime will sound if the vehicle's
speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE ± 35:If this
message appears while the engine is running, stop the
engine and do not operate it until the cause of low
oil pressure is corrected. Severe damage to the engine
can result. A multiple chime will sound when this
message is displayed.PASSENGER DOOR AJAR ± 141:The right front
passenger's door is open or ajar when this message
appears. The ignition must be in ON and the transaxle
not in PARK (P) for this message to display. A chime
will sound if the vehicle's speed is greater than
3 mph (5 km/h).
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR ± 143:The right rear door
is open or ajar when this message appears. The
ignition must be in ON and the transaxle not in PARK (P)
for this message to display. A chime will sound if the
vehicle's speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
SERVICE AC SYSTEM ± 14:This message appears
when the electronic sensors that control the air
conditioning and heating systems are no longer working.
Have the climate control system serviced if you notice
a drop in heating and air conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE AIR BAG ± 83:There is a problem with the
air bag system when this message appears. Let
only a quali®ed technician work on your vehicle. Have
your vehicle serviced by your dealership immediately.
SERVICE CHARGING SYS ± 102:This message
will display when a problem with the charging system
has been detected. Have your vehicle serviced at
your dealership.
3-60
TRACTION SUSPENDED ± 56:This message displays
when the traction control system has been temporarily
shut off because your vehicle's brakes have overheated.
This message does not indicate a problem with your
vehicle's traction control system. After a few minutes,
the traction control system will be available again
and the TRACTION READY message will appear.
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE ± 112:This message
indicates that the transaxle ¯uid in your vehicle is too
hot. Stop and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools
down or until this message is removed.
TRUNK OPEN ± 24:This message indicates that the
trunk is open when the ignition is on.
TURN SIGNAL ON ± 20:If you drive your vehicle for
more than a mile with a turn signal on, this message will
appear as a reminder to turn off the turn signal. A
multiple chime will sound when this message is
displayed.
VEHICLE OVERSPEED ± 52:This message is
displayed when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain
limit as required by some export countries. A continuous
chime will sound when this message is displayed.Climate Controls and Radio System
Personalization
These features allow both drivers to personalize their
own climate control settings as well as their radio
settings. For more information, see
Climate Controls
Personalization on page 3-36andRadio Personalization
with Home and Away Feature on page 3-102.
The outside temperature is always available for display
if it has been selected for a DIC display when your
vehicle is running unless an overriding DIC message
appears. You can change the temperature from
Fahrenheit to Celsius by pressing the ENG/MET
(English/metric) button on the instrument panel. For
more information on the DIC, see
DIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-56.
The electronic sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling, slow driving or when the engine is
®rst started after a short trip. To ensure proper automatic
climate control operation, the outside air temperature
display may not update as quickly as expected. This is
to allow the air surrounding the outside temperature
sensor to be as close to the actual outside conditions as
possible. This is determined by how much time has
elapsed since the vehicle has been turned off and by
vehicle speed.
3-63
Magnetic Ride Control
Magnetic Ride Control automatically adjusts the ride of
your vehicle. Automatic ride control is achieved
through a computer used to control and monitor the
suspension system. The controller receives input from
various sensors to determine the proper system
response. If the controller detects a problem within the
system, the DIC will display a SERVICE SUSPENSION
SYS message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-56for more information. See your dealer for
service.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering
Your vehicle may be equipped with a steering system
that continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when
parking, yet a ®rm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll
understand this.
4-11
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
location of the engine air cleaner/®lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/®lter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) and replace every 30,000 (50 000 km). If
you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the ®lter
at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/®lter, remove the ®lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the ®lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the ®lter remains caked with dirt, a
new ®lter is required.
To inspect or replace the ®lter, do the following:
1. Loosen the air duct
clamp, which is located
at the mass air¯ow
sensor end of the
air duct.
2. Disconnect the air duct from the mass
air¯ow sensor.
5-19
Follow these steps to reinstall the engine air
cleaner/®lter assembly:
1. Slide the cover into the slots in the bottom of
the base.
2. Close the cover and make sure that both latches
are secure and fully engaged.
3. Reinstall the clean air duct over the mass air¯ow
sensor. Make sure that the duct is secure around
the entire outer edge of the sensor.
4. Tighten the air duct clamp.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/®lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps to
stop ¯ame if the engine back®res. If it is not
there and the engine back®res, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/®lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/®lter is off, a back®re can
cause a damaging engine ®re. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/®lter in place when you're driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle ¯uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the ¯uid and ®lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
·In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90É F (32É C) or higher.
·In hilly or mountainous terrain.
·When doing frequent trailer towing.
·Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the ¯uid and ®lter do not require change until
the message CHANGE TRANS FLUID appears on
the Driver Information Center.
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
5-21
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly in¯ated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly in¯ated even when they're underin¯ated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
Your vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPM). The TPM system uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure levels. Sensors,
mounted on each road wheel, transmit tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the trunk. Tire pressure
status and tire pressure warnings are shown on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) display. See
Driver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53, for details
regarding DIC controls and displays.The system operates on a radio frequency subject to
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and
with Industry and Science Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modi®cations to this system by anyone
other than an authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
5-65
If the TPM system detects low tire pressure, below
25 psi (172 kPa), or high tire pressure, above 38 psi
(262 kPa), a message, CHECK TIRE PRESSURE, will
appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
display. By pressing the INFO button, the DIC screen
will show which tire(s) has the low or high pressure
condition. See
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure on page 5-64for
information regarding correct tire in¯ation. If a tire is
low, you should stop as soon as possible and check all
your tires for damage. If a tire is ¯at, see
If a Tire
Goes Flat on page 5-73.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your vehicle is
equipped with Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid
sealant can damage the tire pressure monitor
sensors.
Once a low or high tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPM system will display the CHECK TIRE
MESSAGE each time the engine is started, until the
tire(s) are set to the correct in¯ation pressure.
The Tire-Loading Information Label, which is located on
the rear edge of the driver's door, shows the correct
in¯ation pressure for the tires on your vehicle.
The TPM system also allows the driver to check the air
pressure status of each road tire using the Driver
Information Center (DIC). Each tire's air pressure will belisted individually, in the following order: LF (left front or
driver's side front tire), RF (right front or passenger's
side front tire), RR (right rear or passenger's side
rear tire) and LR (left rear or driver's side rear tire). See
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure on page 5-64for information
regarding correct tire in¯ation. Also, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53for information
on the DIC controls and displays.
If the DIC display doesn't show tire pressures or the
SERVICE TPM SYSTEM message appears, see
your dealer for service. The TPM system may not work
properly while the compact spare tire is installed.
Anytime you replace one or more tires or rotate your
tires, the TPM system will need to be reset. A special
tool is needed to reset the sensor identi®cation
codes. See your dealer for service.
Your vehicle was delivered from the factory with
aluminum valve stem caps. If you ever have to replace
the valve stem caps on your vehicle, you should
replace them with aluminum or plastic caps.
The TPM system can alert you about a low or high tire
pressure condition, but it doesn't replace normal tire
maintenance. See
Tires on page 5-63.
5-66