Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
brake fluid, fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in
the tank.
2. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to about 2 gallons (8
liters), the Low Fuel symbol will light and re-
main lit until fuel is added. A warning chime will
sound when the light comes on.
3. Low Oil Pressure Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light should come on briefly as a bulb check
when the engine is first started. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut off
the engine. DO NOT operate the vehicle until the
cause is corrected.This light does not show how
much oil is in the engine.The engine oil level must be
checked under the hood.4. TRAC ON/OFF Lights
The Traction Control On light (TRAC ON) will come on
momentarily as a bulb check when the ignition switch is
first turned ON. If the light does not come on, have the
bulb replaced.
The TRAC ON light also will come on when the system
is controlling traction.
The Traction Control Off light (TRAC OFF) will come on
momentarily as a bulb check when the ignition switch is
first turned ON. If the TRAC OFF light does not come on,
have the bulb checked.
The TRAC OFF light will also come on when the Traction
Control switch has been used to turn the system off.
5. Trunk Ajar Light
This light indicates that the trunk is not latched
6. Tachometer
Measures engine revolutions-per-minute (RPM). The red
numbers at the end on the scale show the maximum
permissible RPM’s. Ease off on the accelerator before
reaching the red area.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 109
4
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 177
6
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C)
•Stop and go driving
•Extensive engine idling
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather above 90°F (32°C)
•Trailer towing
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial operation)
•Off road or desert operation
•If equipped for and operating with E —85 (ethanol)
fuel
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on scheduleAof theMainte-
nance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 197
7
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle; or
when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have a competent mechanic inspect the complete exhaust
system and adjacent body areas for broken, damaged,
deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or
loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide which is colorless and odorless. Breathing
it can make you unconscious and can eventually
poison you. Follow the above precautions to keep
your exhaust system as safe as possible.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition key
to the OFF position. The fan is temperature con-
trolled and can start at any time the ignition key is
in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don’t open
the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check coolant protection every 12 months (before the
onset of freezing weather, where applicable). If coolant is
dirty or rusty in appearance, the system should be
drained, flushed and refilled with fresh coolant.
210 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Dome............................... 75
Door Ajar........................... 110
Exterior Check........................ 50
Fog .............................68,230
Front Replacement.................... 226
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 176
Headlight Switch...................... 66
Headlights.....................66,226,227
High Beam Indicator................... 110
Illuminated Entry...................... 14
Instrument Cluster..................... 65
Interior...........................14,65
License............................. 232
Low Fuel........................... 109
Malfunction Indicator...............169,191
Map Reading......................... 66
Oil Pressure......................... 109
Park..........................66,227,230
Passing............................. 69
Reading............................. 75
Rear Tail............................ 231
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 110
Security Alarm........................ 24Service Engine Soon................... 191
Side Marker......................226,230
Theft Alarm.......................... 10
Traction Control....................72,159
Trunk Ajar.......................... 109
Turn Signal.................... 110,230,231
Voltage............................. 112
Locks
Cylinder Maintenance.................. 15
Door.............................14,15
Glove Compartment.................... 13
Lubricants............................ 207
Luggage Carrier........................ 172
Luggage Rack......................... 172
Lumbar Support........................ 61
Maintenance Free Battery................. 203
Maintenance Schedule................... 236
Light Duty ScheduleB................ 239
ScheduleA......................... 246
ScheduleB
......................... 239
Malfunction Indicator Light......... 111,169,192
Manual, Service........................ 257
268 INDEX