Page 40 of 236

2.All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.
3.The driver and passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbags room to
inflate. Additionally, the pedals are power adjustable,
so the driver seat can be moved back and the pedals
moved closer as needed so the driver can be as far from
the airbag as possible. (See section on Power Adjust-
able Pedals for operation.)
4.You should read the instructions provided with your
child safety or booster seat to make sure that you are
using it properly.
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Airbag control module and internal crash sensor
²AIRBAG Readiness Light
²Driver and Passenger Airbag/inflator Units
²Passenger Side Airbag On/Off Switch
²Passenger Airbag Off Indicator Light
²Unique Steering Wheel and Column
²Unique Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolster
How The Airbag System Works
²
A crash sensor in the occupant compartment deter-
mines if a frontal impact is severe enough to require
the airbag. The sensor will not detect side, roll over, or
rear impacts. The crash sensor is connected to the
diagnostic unit and to the airbag/inflator unit.
²The Diagnostic Unit monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or RUN position. These include
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 45 of 236

To Turn On The Passenger Airbag:
²Place the ignition key in the on/off switch, turn the
key counterclockwise, and remove the key from the
switch. This will turn on the passenger side airbag.
The light on the instrument panel will be off when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
WARNING!
The airbag may malfunction and serious injury
could result if key is left in the airbag shut off
switch. Always remove the key.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbag is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the airbag covers. Do not modify the
front bumper or vehicle body structure.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolsters.
²You can be injured if you are too close to either
airbag cover when the airbags inflate. It is dan-
gerous to try to repair any part of the airbag
system yourself. Don't try to repair the airbag
system. Be sure to tell anyone who works on your
vehicle that it has airbags.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
2
Page 141 of 236
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m8.3L Engine Compartment................144
mOnboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).........145
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................146
mReplacement Parts......................147
mDealer Service.........................147
mMaintenance Procedures..................148
NEngine Oil..........................148
NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 152NSpark Plugs.........................152
NCatalytic Converter....................153
NIgnition Wiring System And Ignition Timing . . 154
NCrankcase Emission Control System........155
NAir Cleaner Filter.....................155
NMaintenance-Free Battery................156
NBattery Save Feature...................158
NAir Conditioner......................160
7
Page 154 of 236

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune up to manufacturers specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for prolonged period.
Ignition Wiring System and Ignition Timing
The ignition cables should be kept clean and properly
connected. Terminals should be fully seated. Do not
remove the nipple assemblies from the coil towers unless
the nipples are damaged or cable testing shows high
resistance or broken insulation. Refer to the Service
154 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 230 of 236

Hazard Warning Flasher.................75,132
Headlights............................ 188
Aiming............................. 193
High Beam........................... 65
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch......... 65
Switch............................... 62
Time Delay........................... 63
Heater................................ 90
High Beam Indicator...................... 77
Hood Latch Maintenance.................. 163
Hood Release........................... 58
Hoses.............................170,171
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid.................... 175
Ignition
Key ................................. 11
Timing.............................. 154
Wiring System........................ 154
Infant Restraint.......................... 33Instrument Cluster........................ 74
Instrument Panel and Controls............... 73
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 178
Interior and Instrument Lights..........See Lights
Interior Lights........................... 61
Intermittent Wipers....................... 69
Introduction............................. 4
Jump Starting.......................... 134
Key-In Reminder......................... 12
Keyless Entry System...................... 15
Keys.................................. 11
Knee Bolster............................ 38
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 27
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 35
Latches
Hood............................... 163
230 INDEX
Page 236 of 236

Underbody Maintenance.................. 179
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 222
Upholstery Care........................ 177
Vehicle Identification Number................ 6
Vehicle Loading...................... 113,130
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 7
Vehicle Storage......................... 183
Vehicle Theft Alarm....................... 19
Ventilation System........................ 90
Vinyl Trim............................. 177
Voltmeter.............................. 81
Warnings and Cautions..................... 6Warranty Information..................... 219
Washers, Windshield.................68,69,165
Wheel Alignment and Balance............... 123
Wheel Bearings......................... 177
Wind Buffeting.......................... 25
Windows
Power............................... 23
Windshield Defroster...................... 48
Windshield Washers..................68,69,165
Windshield Wipers....................... 68
Wipers, Intermittent....................... 69
Wiring, Ignition......................... 154
236 INDEX