Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
Dirty air cleaner
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
Dragging brakes
Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard Maintenance Service intervals.
NOTE : Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as often as possible and avoid using
"kickdown" to help improve fuel economy.
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, when:
Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed:
Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of overheating can be reduced by switching off
the air conditioning system for a short time.
Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating (the temperature gauge goes repeatedly into,
or stays continually in, the red section), the following precautions should be taken:
Switch off the air conditioning system.
Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear selector into Park. Do not stop the engine!
Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm (twice idling speed)
until the temperature begins to drop.
If the warning light in the center of the instrument panel is red, and the message "Coolant level lo stop engine" is
displayed, switch off the engine as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Do not remove coolant expansion tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.
If necessary, see page 116
for information on checking and topping-up the coolant level.
Contents | Top of Page
ProCarManuals.com
Front courtesy lights - replacing..........110
Front fog lights..........32
Front fog lights - replacing ........107
Front reading lights..........54
Front seats - adjusting..........52
Front seats - heated..........37
Front suspension..........132
Fuel..........70, 131
Fuel filler cap..........72
Fuel filler door..........72
Fuel filler door - unlocking manually..........33
Fuel filter ..........117
Fuel gauge..........25
Fuel requirements..........70
Fuel system..........115, 117, 132
Fuel/emissions systems..........115
Fuses..........100 - 103
G
Gas cap..........72
Gasoline..........70
Gear indicator..........25
Gear ratios..........130
Geartronic (automatic transmission)..........76 - 77
Generator..........133
Generator warning light..........26
H
Hand brake..........38
Handling..........79
Hazard warning flashers..........37
Head restraint - center rear..........3
Head restraints, rear - folding..........29
Headlight bulbs - replacing..........104
Headlight wiper blades - replacing..........125
Headlights..........32
Heated front seats..........37
Heated rear window..........37
Heated sideview mirrors..........37
Heating..........45 - 49
Hoisting the car..........118
Home Safe System..........60
HomeLink® ........151-153
Hood - opening..........119
I
Ignition switch..........32
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