Î
ÎÎ
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols45
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
(P.48)MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
(P.51)
TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD
WARNING INDICATORS
(P.48)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
INDICATOR
(P.47)
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.46)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.46) ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR
(P.47)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR (P.48)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR (P.
48)
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT (P.
46)
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P.47)
DOOR-OPEN
INDICATOR
(P.47)
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR (P.47)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.48)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR (P.46) (P.234)
µ
µ
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery. Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 91
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving
Visibility
Driving T echnique
144
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µ
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µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Brakes and clutch Check the
f luid level monthly. See page . 123
124
171 174 189
196
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance159
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 car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
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. 251
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance186
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
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.
This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .218
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .219
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 224
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .224
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .225
................................
Jump Starting .226
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 229
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 232
..........
Charging System Indicator . 233
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 234
...............
Brake System Indicator . 236
.......
Closing the Convertible Top . 237
..............................................
Fuses .238
..........
Checking and Replacing . 239
.................
If Your Car Gets Stuck . 243
......................
Emergency Towing .245
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed217
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
1.
2.
3. 4.
123 161 245
Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed232
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.
CONT INUED
...
Closing the Convertible Top . 237
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 232
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 234
..................
Overheated Engine . 229
...........................
Emergency Brake .81
......................
Emergency Flashers .80
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 67
.......................
Emissions Controls .257
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 260
Engine ...........
Check Engine Light . 47,234
Compartment, Checking ......................................
in the .122
.......................................
Coolant .124
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 49
...................................
Drive Belt .188
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .47, 234
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 46,232
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 161
...............................
Overheating .229
............................
Specif ications .250
............................
Speed Limiter .138
.......................................
Starting .135
.........
Engine Cover, Opening the . 122
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .255 ...
Evaporative Emission Controls . 257
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .40
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 208
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .212
.....................................
Fan, Interior .86
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .85
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 121
Filters ...............................................
Oil .163
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 80
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 219
Fluids ..........................................
Brake .174
.........................................
Clutch .175
..............
Manual Transmission . 172
..................
Windshield Washer . 171
........
FM Stereo Radio Reception . 103
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 256
..........................
Four-way Flashers .80 .................................................
Fuel .120
......................
Fill Door and Cap .121
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
...............................
Oxygenated .255
........................
Reserve Indicator .48
........................
Tank, Filling the .121
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 125
..............
Fuel Station Procedures . 121
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .239
..........................................
Gasohol .255
.........................................
Gasoline .120
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 48
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .255
........................
Tank, Filling the .121
Index
F
G
III
CONT INUED
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .48
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 46,232
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 250
.........................................
Luggage .128
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 120
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .138
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 248
..................................
Maintenance .147
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 159
........................................
Record .157
....................................
Schedule .150
..
Maintenance Required Indicator . 51
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 47,234
...................
Manual Transmission . 137
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 172
...............................
Meters, Gauges .49
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 255
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .80 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 120
.........................................
Odometer .50
...............................
Odometer, Trip .51
Oil ........................
Change, How to .163
......................
Change, When to .150
......................
Checking Engine .123
..............
Pressure Indicator . 46,232
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .162
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 61
.........................
Opening the Trunk .66
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 256
..............................
Outside Mirrors .80
....................
Overheating, Engine .229
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .255
..............................
Paint Touch-up .210
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 54
.................................
Parking Brake .81
.................................
Parking Lights .53
.............................
PGM-FI System .258 ..................
Polishing and Waxing . 209
Power ..................................
Door Locks .62
..............
Engine, Specif ications . 250
.........................................
Mirrors .80
......................................
Windows .70
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
............................
Protecting Adults .12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children .18
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 29
.........
Protecting Small Children . 26
...................
Radiator Overheating . 229
.......................
Radio Sound System .94
...................
Readiness Codes . 235,260
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 202
............................
Rear View Mirror .80
................
Reclining the Seat-backs . 69
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 138
Index
M
N O
P
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V