Page 61 of 341
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 tread and sidewall for cuts or
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 fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
2
Page 129 of 341

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
2. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on briefly when
the ignition is first turned ON and remain on briefly as a
bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, it means that there is a problem with the
charging system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY.
3. Liftgate Ajar
This light comes on if the liftgate is not com-
pletely closed.4. Oil Pressure Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will come
on and remain on when the ignition switch is
turned from the OFF to the ON position, and the light
will turn off after the engine is started. If the bulb does
not come on during starting, have the system checked by
an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
5. Theft Alarm Light Ð If Equipped
This light will flash rapidly for several seconds when the
alarm system is arming. The light will begin to flash
slowly indicating that the system is armed.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 129
4
Page 230 of 341

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, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never put 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.
²The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
230 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 252 of 341
The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off or before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground, will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on thedipstick. Adding one quart of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling the crankcase as indicated by an oil level
above the ªMaxº mark on the engine oil dipstick
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
²Day and night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC).
²Stop and Go driving.
252 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 271 of 341

brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particu-
lar attention should be made to examining those hose
surfaces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before a hose is replaced
based on leakage.NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done when-
ever the brake system is serviced and at every engine oil
change.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately if
the brake system warning lamp is on.
Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 271
7
Page 286 of 341

REPLACEMENT BULBS
LIGHT BULBS Ð Inside Bulb No.
ABS Indicator.......................... LED
Airbag Indicator........................ LED
Brake System Warning Indicator............. LED
Center Console Floor Lamp................. T37
Climate Controls......................6233137
Console Gear Selector...................PC194
Cruise Indicator....................... VFD*
Dome Light............................T579
Door Ajar Indicator..................... VFD*
Front Fog Indicator...................... LED
High Beam Indicator....................... 74
Instrument Cluster Illumination.............. 74
Liftgate Ajar Indicator.................... LED
Low Fuel Indicator....................... LED
Low Oil Pressure Indicator................. LED
Overhead Reading Light (Overhead Console). . . T1037LIGHT BULBS Ð Inside Bulb No.
Overhead Reading Light (Rearview Mirror).....T192
Rear Cargo............................T906
Seat Belt Indicator....................... LED
Security Alarm Indicator................... LED
Malfunction Indicator Light................ LED
Temperature Indicator.................... LED
Trac (Active) Indicator................... VFD*
TRAC OFF Indicator..................... LED
Trip Indicator......................... VFD*
Turn Signal Indicator...................... 103
Visor Vanity.........................6501966
Voltage Indicator........................ LED
NOTE:* Vacuum Fluorescent Display
All the inside bulbs are brass or glass wedge base.
Aluminum base bulbs are not approved and should not
be used for replacement.
286 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 296 of 341

Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and transaxle and add as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
²Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the CV joints and front suspension compo-
nents.
²Check the automatic transaxle fluid level.
²Check the manual transaxle fluid level and fill plug
condition.
²Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
²Rotate the tires at each oil change interval shown on
Schedule ªAºÐNON TURBO CHARGED ENGINES
6,000 miles (10 000 km), Schedule ªAºÐTURBO
CHARGED ENGINES 5,000 miles (8 000 km), or every
other interval shown on Schedule ªBºÐALL EN-
GINES 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
296 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
Page 333 of 341

Latches
Hood............................... 92
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 216
Liftgate................................ 28
Light Bulbs.........................286,287
Lights...............................61,93
Airbag........................45,50,60,134
Anti-Lock........................... 131
Back-Up............................. 289
Brake Warning........................ 132
Center Mounted Stop................... 289
Courtesy/Reading...................... 93
Daytime Running....................... 96
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 95
Engine Temperature Warning.............. 130
Fog ...........................97,135,288
Front Replacement..................... 287
Headlight Switch....................... 96
Headlights............................ 96High Beam Indicator.................... 131
Instrument Cluster...................... 96
Interior.............................. 94
Liftgate Ajar.......................... 129
Lights On Reminder..................... 96
Low Fuel............................ 135
Malfunction Indicator................... 134
Oil Pressure.......................... 129
Rear Servicing........................ 288
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 131
Security Alarm......................... 26
Service.............................. 287
Theft Alarm.......................... 129
Traction Control.................132,134,197
Turn Signal....................95,97,130,288
Voltage............................. 129
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 129
Loading Vehicle......................... 223
Tires ............................... 202
INDEX 333
10