Page 72 of 397

Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
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 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.72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 115 of 397

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Ð If
Equipped
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center, when the
appropriate conditions exist, displays the following
WARNING messages and symbols. Each message is
accompanied by a single chime:
² TURN SIGNALS ON (with graphic)
² PERFORM SERVICE
² DOOR AJAR (one or more, with graphic)
² LIFTGATE AJAR (with graphic)
² WASHER FLUID LOW (with graphic)
² 1,2,3 OR 4 LOW TIRE(S) PRESSURE (Refer to ªStarting
And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² 1,2,3 OR 4 HIGH TIRE(S) PRESSURE (Refer to ªStart-
ing And Operating, Tire Sectionº) ² SERVICE TIRE PRESS. SYSTEM/SEE OWNER'S
MANUAL (Refer to ªStarting And Operating, Tire
Sectionº)
² TIRE PRESSURE UNAVAILABLE (Refer to ªStarting
And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² TIRE PRESSURE NOW AVAILABLE (Refer to ªStart-
ing And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² SPARE TIRE IN USE? YES/NO (Refer to ªStarting
And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² ALL 5 TIRES WITH CAR? YES/NO (Refer to ªStarting
And Operating, Tire Sectionº)
² MEMORY SEAT DISABLED (Not in Park) Ð If
Equipped
² ADJUSTABLE PEDAL DISABLED/CRUISE ENGAGED
² ADJUSTABLE PEDAL DISABLED/VEHICLE IN RE-
VERSE UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 115
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Page 158 of 397

When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the tire and loading information placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard and owner's manual. 24. Turn Signal Indicators Ð Base Cluster Only
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about one mile with the turn signals on, a chime
will sound to alert you to turn the signals off. If either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a defective
outside light bulb.
25. High Beam Light Ð Base Cluster Only
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever towards the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.158 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 224 of 397

N Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........247
m TiresÐGeneral Information ................251
N Tire Pressure .........................251
N Tire Inflation Pressures .................252
N Radial-Ply Tires ......................255
N Compact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped .........255
N Tire Spinning ........................256
N Tread Wear Indicators ..................256
N Replacement Tires .....................257
N Alignment And Balance .................258
m All Wheel Drive (AWD) Ð If Equipped .......259
m Tire Pressure Monitor System Ð If Equipped . . . 259
N 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure ...........260 N 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) High Pressure ...........260
N Service Tire Pressure System/See Owner's
Manual ............................260
N Tire Pressure Unavailable ................260
N Tire Pressure Now Available .............261
N Spare Tire In Use? Yes/No ...............261
N All 5 Tires With Car? Yes/No .............261
N General Information ...................263
m Tire Chains ...........................263
m Snow Tires ...........................264
m Tire Rotation Recommendations ............265
m Fuel Requirements ......................266
N Reformulated Gasoline .................266224 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 243 of 397
² European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter 9 P 9 is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
² LT(Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters ªLTº that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16. ² Temporary Spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ªTº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
² High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT. STARTING AND OPERATING 243
5
Page 244 of 397
Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Size Designation:
P = Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards
( ....blank.... ( = Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT = Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T = Temporary Spare tire
31 = Overall Diameter in Inches (in)
215 = Section Width in Milimeters (mm)
65 = Aspect Ratio in Percent (%)
ÐRatio of section height to section width of tire.
10.5 = Section Width in Inches (in)
R = Construction Code
Ð 9 R 9 means Radial Construction.
Ð 9 D 9 means Diagonal or Bias Construction.
15 = Rim Diameter in Inches (in)244 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 247 of 397
Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE: Some vehicles have a ªTire and Loading Infor-
mationº placard located on the driver's side ªBº pillar. Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the,
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires. STARTING AND OPERATING 247
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Page 255 of 397

Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, in case
of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs. Compact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
WARNING!Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use
only. With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have a total
tread life of 3,000 miles (4 800 km). Be sure to follow
the warnings which apply to your spare. Failure to
do so could result in spare tire failure and loss of
vehicle control. STARTING AND OPERATING 255
5