
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (as much as
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
Maintenance and Specifications
287

Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Fender flares
Front end covers (full and sport)
Full vehicle cover
Hood deflectors
Leather steering wheel
Locking gas cap
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Moonroof deflector
Rear air deflectors
Scuff plates-stainless steel
Side window air deflectors
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
Accessories
311

cleaning ...................................260
coolant .....................................274
fail-safe coolant ......................279
idle speed control ...................272
lubrication
specifications ..................303, 305
refill capacities ........................300
service points ..................267–268
starting after a collision .........228
Engine block heater .................194
Engine oil ..................................269
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................269
checking and adding ..............269
dipstick ....................................269
filter, specifications ........271, 300
recommendations ...................271
refill capacities ........................300
specifications ..................303, 305
Exhaust fumes ..........................194
F
Fail safe cooling ........................279
Floor mats .................................126
Fluid capacities .........................300
Foglamps .....................................81
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................14, 208
control trac .............................208
description ..............................209
driving off road .......................211
electronic shift ........................210
indicator light .........................208
preparing to drive
your vehicle ............................198
Fuel ............................................280
calculating fuel
economy ..........................116, 285
cap ...........................................282capacity ...................................300
choosing the right fuel ...........283
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy estimates .........288
detergent in fuel .....................284
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................280, 282, 285
filter, specifications ........284, 300
fuel pump shut-off switch .....228
gauge .........................................17
improving fuel economy ........285
low fuel warning light ..............12
octane rating ...................283, 305
quality ......................................284
running out of fuel .................284
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................280
Fuses ..................................230–231
G
Garage door opener ..................108
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............282
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................285
Gauges .........................................15
battery voltage gauge ...............16
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........16
fuel gauge ..................................17
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ..........................219
calculating ...............................221
definition .................................219
driving with a heavy load ......219
location ....................................219
Index
315

GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................219
calculating .......................219, 221
definition .................................219
driving with a heavy load ......219
location ....................................219
H
Hazard flashers .........................228
Headlamps ...................................81
aiming ........................................83
autolamp system .......................81
bulb specifications ....................86
daytime running lights .............82
flash to pass ..............................82
high beam ...........................13, 82
replacing bulbs .........................87
turning on and off ....................81
warning chime ..........................14
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system ...........69, 72
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage
door opener) .............108–109, 111
Hood ..........................................266
I
Ignition ...............................191, 305
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................180
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................289
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................262
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................83J
Jack ............................................236
positioning ...............................236
storage .....................................236
Jump-starting your vehicle ......241
K
Keyless entry system
locking and unlocking
doors ........................................137
programming entry code .......135
Keys ...................................137–139
key in ignition chime ...............15
positions of the ignition .........191
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................81
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................86
cargo lamps ...............................83
daytime running light ...............82
fog lamps ...................................81
headlamps .................................81
headlamps, flash to pass ..........82
instrument panel, dimming .....83
interior lamps ...............84–85, 87
replacing bulbs ...................86–90
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................84
Liftgate ..............................126, 130
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
AdvanceTrac .............................12
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 196
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................13
Index
316