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ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
The electronic message center only
works when the ignition is in the
ON position.
The message center allows you to:
•see problems such as door ajar,
air suspension, trunk ajar, washer
fluid low
•see how many kilometers/miles
you can drive before running out
of fuel
•see when overdrive has been deactivated
•monitor the average fuel economy
•check the distance traveled during a trip on either Trip A or Trip B
•monitor the average speed
Selectable features
Reset
Press this control to reset the
selected message center function to
zero. The only functions which can
be reset are:
•AVG ECON
•TRIP A or TRIP B
•AVG SPEED
E/M
Press this control to switch the
electronic instrument cluster display
and the message center display from
metric to English units.
CHECK
TRUNK AJAR LTR/100 kmAIR SUSPENSION
OVERDRIVE OFFDOOR
AJAR
LOW
WASHER
FLUID
DISTANCE
TO EMPTY
TRIP
AAVG FUEL
ECONOMY
TRIP
BAVG
SPEED
km
MILES
/GAL
RESET E/M SELECT
RESET E/M SELECT
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USA English(fus)
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Select
Each press of the SELECT control
will select a different function.
•Press the right side of the control
to advance the function to the
right.
•Press the left side of the control
to advance the function to the
left.
To reset any function:
1. Push either the right or left side of the SELECT control to choose the
desired function.
2. Press the RESET control and the
selected message center function
will be reset to zero.
Message center functions
DISTANCE TO EMPTY (DTE)
This function estimates
approximately how far you can drive
with the fuel remaining in your tank
under normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition OFF
when refueling to allow this feature to correctly detect the added fuel.
The DTE function will flash for 5 seconds and sound a tone for 1 second
when you have approximately:
•80 km (50 miles) left before you run out of fuel
•40 km (25 miles)
•16 km (10 miles)
RESET E/M SELECT
RESET E/M SELECT
DISTANCE
TO EMPTY
TRIP
AAVG FUEL
ECONOMY
TRIP
BAVG
SPEED
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The message center will remain in
the DTE function until the SELECT
control is pressed to change
functions.
DTE is calculated using a running
average fuel economy, which is
based on your recent driving history
of 800 km (500miles). This value is
not the same as the average fuel
economy display. The running average fuel economy is reinitialized to a
factory default value if the battery is disconnected.
If “CO” or “CS” is displayed, there is a problem with the fuel indication
system and you should contact your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
AVG FUEL ECONOMY (average fuel economy)
Select this function to display your
average fuel economy in liters/100
km or miles/gallon.
If you calculate your average fuel
economy by dividing miles traveled by gallons used, your figure may be
different than displayed for the following reasons:
•your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
•differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
•variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
•rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 liter (gallons)
Press the RESET control while AVG
ECON is displayed to reset the
function.
The average displayed is the average
since the last reset.RESET E/M SELECT
TRIP
ATRIP
BAVG
SPEED
DISTANCE
TO EMPTYAVG FUEL
ECONOMY
RESET E/M SELECT
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TRIP A and TRIP B
These two functions allow you to
see how far you have traveled since
you last reset. Trip A and Trip B are
completely independent and must
be reset individually.
To reset either trip feature to zero,
press the RESET control while the
appropriate trip distance feature
(TRIP A or TRIP B) is displayed.
AVG SPEED (average speed)
Select this function to display your
average speed in miles per hour or
kilometers per hour.
Your vehicle must be moving to
calculate your average speed. When your vehicle is not moving, the
average speed is displayed at 0 kilometers (0 miles) per hour.
OVERDRIVE CONTROL
Activating overdrive
(Overdrive) is the normal drive position for the best fuel economy.
The overdrive function allows automatic upshifts and downshifts through
all available gears.
Deactivating overdrive
If your vehicle is equipped with a
column-shift transmission, press the
Transmission Control Switch (TCS)
located on the end of the gearshift
lever.
TRIP
ATRIP
BAVG
SPEED DISTANCE
TO EMPTYAVG FUEL
ECONOMY
TRIP
ATRIP
BAVG
SPEED DISTANCE
TO EMPTYAVG FUEL
ECONOMY
RESET E/M SELECT
TRIP
ATRIP
BAVG
SPEED DISTANCE
TO EMPTYAVG FUEL
ECONOMY
O
/
D
O
F
F
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STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks automatic
transmission gearshift lever and
allows key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories without locking the
steering wheel. This position also allows the automatic transmission shift
lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
being depressed.
When the key is in the ignition OFF position, the automatic
transmission shift lever can be moved from the P (Park) position
without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle
movement, always set the parking brake.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
3
1
2
5
4
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Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
2. Turn the key to 5 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to 3 (OFF), wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
Use of an engine block heater is strongly recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach -23° C (-10° F) or below. For best
results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting the vehicle.
The heater can be plugged in the night before starting the vehicle.
3
2
1
5
4
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Pull the release lever to release the
brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
TRACTION CONTROL(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional Traction Control
system. This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of
your vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces.
The system operates by detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system
borrows many of the electronic and mechanical elements already present
in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the rear brakes
in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque reduction is
realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems. This
process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast acting. The
rear wheels “search” for optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlsystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces while you are trying to
accelerate or while your foot is on the accelerator pedal. The system is a
driver aid which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow
and ice covered roads.
During Traction Controloperation you may hear an electric motor type
of sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not
“rev-up” when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
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P (Park)
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into P (Park). Make
sure the gearshift lever is securely
latched in P (Park). This position
locks the transmission and prevents
the rear wheels from turning.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R
(Reverse), the vehicle will move
backward. Always come to a
complete stop before shifting into
and out of R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral), the vehicle can be started
and is free to roll. Hold the brake
pedal down while in this gear.
Overdrive
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
column-shift transmission, overdrive
can be deactivated by pressing the
transmission control switch on the
gearshift lever.
O
/
D
O
F
F
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