Page 79 of 372

Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
Tailgate
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the tailgate
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the tailgate open or
if electrical wiring or other cable connections
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
must pass through the seal between the body
and the tailgate:
·Make sure all other windows are shut.
·Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See²Climate Control
System²in the Index.
·If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See²Engine Exhaust²in the Index.
Tailgate Lock Release
Use your key to lock or unlock your tailgate.
If you have a convertible, you can still open or close the
tailgate with the rear window closed.
2-11
Page 84 of 372

ON (C):This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch.
The switch stays in ON when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to operate your electrical accessories and to
display some instrument panel cluster warning and
indicator lights.
START (D):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the
radio or items plugged into the accessory power outlets.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver's
door when the ignition is in ACC or LOCK and the key
is in the ignition.Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position Ð that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the ¯oor and
start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down ± that's a safety feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key.
2-16
Page 90 of 372

Overdrive Off
If your vehicle has this feature, the overdrive-off button
is located on the left side of the shift lever. When
operating under normal conditions, the vehicle will
automatically default to overdrive when initially started
until it is disengaged. If overdrive is turned off and
the vehicle is turned off, when the vehicle is restarted,
overdrive will automatically turn back on. By operating
the overdrive off button, with the ignition in the ON
position, the four-speed automatic transmission
(three-speed plus overdrive) can be converted to a
three-speed automatic transmission. While in the
three-speed mode, the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive position.To convert the transmission to the three-speed mode,
press in the overdrive-off button and release it.
The OD/OFF indicator light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on. The overdrive-off button is
for normal driving, however, it also offers more power
and lower fuel economy than driving in the overdrive
position. Here are some times you might choose to drive
with the overdrive-off button engaged:
·When driving on hilly, winding roads.
·When going down a steep hill.
To return the transmission to the four-speed mode,
press in the overdrive-off button again. The OD/OFF
indicator light will go off. Disengaging the overdrive-off
button is for normal driving with the four-speed
automatic transaxle. If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
·Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
·Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator all the way down.
If the transfer case shift lever is in the 4L position,
the four-speed automatic transmission will remain in the
three-speed mode.
2-22
Page 91 of 372

Power Mode
A power mode selector
switch is included with the
four-speed automatic
transmission.
When you need more power for climbing hills or quicker
acceleration, press the P (power) switch. The POWER
indicator light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. For normal driving, press the N (normal)
switch. The POWER indicator light will go off.
The power mode delays the automatic transmission shift
points to allow for higher engine speeds in each gear.
The automatic transmission also has the ability to
provide SECOND (2) gear starts for improved traction
on slippery surfaces. The power mode selector
switch must be in the P mode and the transmission
gear selector in SECOND (2), which will remain
in SECOND (2) until you shift the vehicle to DRIVE (D).
Manual Transmission Operation
Five-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
Here's how to operate
your transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete stop and
it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch
pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
2-23
Page 102 of 372
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
An inside rearview mirror is attached to your windshield.
The mirror can be adjusted up and down or side to side.
The mirror may also be equipped with reading lamps.
The mirror can also be adjusted for day or night driving.
Pull the tab for night driving to reduce glare. Push the tab
for daytime driving.
Outside Manual Mirrors
Adjust these mirrors by hand so that you can see a little
of the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Outside Power Mirrors
If your vehicle has power
mirrors, the selector switch
is located on the lower
left side of the instrument
panel.
You can only adjust the mirrors when the ignition switch
is in ON or ACC.
2-34
Page 103 of 372

To adjust the mirrors do the following:
1. Move the selector switch to the L (left) or R (right)
to select the mirror you wish to adjust.
2. Press the outer part of the four-way control pad,
located below the selector switch, that coincides
with the direction you want the mirror to go.
3. Return the selector switch to the center position to
help prevent moving the mirror accidentally.
Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
Use your key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open
the glove box, pull the latch toward you.
The glove box may have a two-position detent for
opening the door. Lower the door to the ®rst detent for
access to the glove box. Pull it to the next detent
for further access.
Cupholder(s)
Two cupholders are on the center console next to the
parking brake lever.
Coinholder(s)
Your instrument panel may have two coinholders
located to the left of the steering wheel.
2-35
Page 113 of 372

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-4
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-24
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-25
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-26Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-27
Charging System Light..................................3-28
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-28
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-30
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-31
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-31
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-34
Overdrive Off Light........................................3-35
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-35
Power Indicator Light.....................................3-36
Fuel Gage...................................................3-36
Audio System(s).............................................3-37
Setting the Time...........................................3-37
Radio with CD..............................................3-38
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-42
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-43
Care of Your CD Player................................3-43
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-43
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
Page 114 of 372
Instrument Panel Overview
3-2