
SERVICE STABILITY SYS – 54:If you ever see the
SERVICE STABILITY SYS message, it means
there may be a problem with your stability enhancement
system. If you see this message, try to reset the
system (stop, turn off the engine, then start the engine
again). If the SERVICE STABILITY SYS message
still comes on, it means there is a problem. You should
see your dealer for service. Reduce your speed and
drive accordingly. A single chime will also sound when
this message is displayed.
SERVICE STEERING – 127:This message is displayed
when a problem has been detected in the magnetic
speed variable assist steering system. If message
comes on, service is required.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS – 84:This message is
displayed to indicate that the suspension system is
not operating properly. To correct this problem, have
your vehicle serviced at your dealership.
SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM – 34:This message means
there is a problem with the PASS-Key
®III system. A
fault has been detected in the system which means that
the system is disabled and is not protecting the
vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts, however, you may
want to take your vehicle to your dealer before turning
off the engine.SERVICE TPM SYSTEM – 51:When this message is
displayed, the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system
is not working properly. See your dealer for service.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION – 100:See your dealer
for repair.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON – 3:This message is
displayed when a non-emissions related powertrain
malfunction occurs. Have your vehicle serviced by
a technician as soon as possible.
SPEED LIMIT TO 90 – 113:A failure in the suspension
control system has occurred when this message
appears. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
determines the speed to which your vehicle is limited.
Have your vehicle serviced if this message appears.
STABILITY SYS ENGAGED – 55:You may see
the STABILITY SYS ENGAGED message on the Driver
Information Center. It means that an advanced,
computer-controlled system has come on to help your
vehicle continue to go in the direction in which you
are steering. This stability enhancement system
activates when the computer senses that your vehicle is
just starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of
ice or other slippery spot on the road. When the system
is on, you may hear a noise or feel a vibration in the
brake pedal. This is normal.
3-60

TRACTION SUSPENDED – 56:This message displays
when the traction control system has been temporarily
shut off because your vehicle’s brakes have overheated.
This message does not indicate a problem with your
vehicle’s traction control system. After a few minutes,
the traction control system will be available again
and the TRACTION READY message will appear.
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE – 112:This message
indicates that the transaxle fluid in your vehicle is too
hot. Stop and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools
down or until this message is removed.
TRUNK OPEN – 24:This message indicates that the
trunk is open when the ignition is on.
TURN SIGNAL ON – 20:If you drive your vehicle for
more than a mile with a turn signal on, this message will
appear as a reminder to turn off the turn signal. A
multiple chime will sound when this message is
displayed.
VEHICLE OVERSPEED – 52:This message is
displayed when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain
limit as required by some export countries. A continuous
chime will sound when this message is displayed.Climate Controls and Radio System
Personalization
These features allow both drivers to personalize their
own climate control settings as well as their radio
settings. For more information, seeClimate Controls
Personalization on page 3-36andRadio Personalization
with Home and Away Feature on page 3-98.
The outside temperature is always available for display
if it has been selected for a DIC display when your
vehicle is running unless an overriding DIC message
appears. You can change the temperature from
Fahrenheit to Celsius by pressing the ENG/MET
(English/metric) button on the instrument panel. For
more information on the DIC, seeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-55.
The electronic sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling, slow driving or when the engine is
first started after a short trip. To ensure proper automatic
climate control operation, the outside air temperature
display may not update as quickly as expected. This is
to allow the air surrounding the outside temperature
sensor to be as close to the actual outside conditions as
possible. This is determined by how much time has
elapsed since the vehicle has been turned off and by
vehicle speed.
3-62

Driver’s Name Set/Recall
If your vehicle has the optional memory package, you
will have this feature. This feature allows individual
driver’s names to be displayed in the DIC when
the ignition is turned to ON. This feature only works
when the remote keyless entry transmitter is used
to unlock the vehicle or when buttons 1 or 2 on the
driver’s door are pressed. See your dealer for assistance
in programming this feature.
Exiting Feature Programming
To exit FEATURE PROGRAMMING, press the INFO
RESET or INFO button.
Trip Computer
Oil Life Indicator
This feature lets you know when to change the engine
oil. It is based on the engine oil temperatures and
your driving patterns.
To see the display, press the INFO button several times
until ENGINE OIL LIFE appears. If you see 99% ENGINE
OIL LIFE, 99 percent of your current oil life remains.
The DIC may display a CHANGE ENGINE OIL message.
For more information, seeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4. If you see CHANGE ENGINE OIL, it means the
oil life is gone and you should change the oil right away.
The system does not check how much oil you have, so
you will still have to check for that. To see how, see
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
When the oil is changed, you will need to reset the
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13. Always keep a
written record of the mileage and date when you
changed your oil.
3-74

Audio System(s)
Notice:Before you add any sound equipment to
your vehicle – like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio – be sure you can
add what you want. If you can, it’s very important to
do it properly. Added sound equipment may
interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine,
radio or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been added
improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and to give years of listening pleasure. You will get
the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with
it first. Figure out which radio you have in your vehicle,
find out what your audio system can do and how to
operate all of its controls to be sure you’re getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
“Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” underIgnition
Positions on page 2-25.
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears on the
display. Press and hold MN until the correct minute
appears on the display. Display the time with the ignition
off by pressing one of these buttons.
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears on the
display. Press and hold MN until the correct minute
appears on the display. Display the time when the
ignition is off by pressing one of these buttons.
To synchronize the time with an FM station broadcasting
Radio Data System (RDS) information, press and
hold HR and MN at the same time until TIME UPDATED
appears on the display. If the time is not available
from the station, NO STATION TIME will appear on the
display.
RDS time is broadcast once a minute. Once you have
tuned to an RDS broadcast station, it may take a
few minutes for your time to update.
3-75

Braking
Braking action involvesperception timeand
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That isperception time.Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That isreaction time.
Averagereaction timeis about 3/4 of a second. But that is
only an average. It might be less with one driver and as
long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age,
physical condition, alertness, coordination and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But
even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph
(100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of
distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space
between your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool
between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pacewith the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will stay
on. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light on
page 3-44.
4-6

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear
the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ENGAGED message will display on the
Driver Information Center when the traction control
system is limiting wheel spin. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-55. You may feel or hear the
system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See “Cruise Control” under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
4-8

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering
Your vehicle may be equipped with a steering system
that continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when
parking, yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-8.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Since your vehicle is equipped with Stabilitrak
®you may
see the STABILITY SYS ENGAGED message on the
Driver Information Center. See “Stability System
Engaged Message” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-55.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
4-10

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving”
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
With Stabilitrak
®, you may see the STABILITY SYS
ENGAGED message on the Driver Information Center.
See “Stability Sys Engaged Message” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-55.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface” — and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-14