This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .154
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .155
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 160
................................
Jump Starting .162
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 163
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 166
..........
Charging System Indicator . 166
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 167
...............
Brake System Indicator . 168
.......
Closing the Convertible Top . 169
..............................................
Fuses .170
..........
Checking and Replacing . 170
..............................
Fuse Locations .172
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 174
......................
Emergency Towing .176
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed153
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you press
the ENGINE START button.You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you press the ENGINE
START button, you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Press the ENGINE START button,
then release it. If the headlights do
not dim, check the condition of the
f uses. If the f uses are OK, there is
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem. (See on page .)
Check these things:
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). Check the transmission interlock.
The clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. 52 162
176
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly Jump Starting
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
160
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page .
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you press the
ENGINE START button, but the
engine does not run.
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working. If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
151 176
162
113 170
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
161
´´ µ
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or like ice, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Neutral, and set
the parking brake.
3. 1.
2. 4.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
162
NOTICE:
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme
cold, the electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
The reading on your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
If it reaches the red mark, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
takeimmediateaction.Theonly
indication may be the temperature
gauge reading reaching the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper
cables away from each other and
any metal on the vehicle until
everything is disconnected.
Otherwise, you may cause an
electrical short.
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 6.
7.
5.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats
If the Engine Overheats
163
NOTICE: Driving with the temperature
gauge reading at the red mark can
cause serious damage to your engine.
CONT INUED
Accessories.................................
Installation .105
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 70
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .53
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 130
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 18
..............................
Air Conditioning .74
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .146
.............................
Alarm, Anti-theft .53
......................................
Antif reeze .132
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .41, 118
...................................
Operation .117
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 53
............................
Anti-thef t System .94
......................................
Audio Panel .71
..................................
Audio System .78
...............
Automatic Speed Control . 95 ............................
Capacities Chart .180
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 34
........................
Cargo, .107
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...........................................
CD Care .85
........................
CD Error Messages .86
.....................................
CD Changer .84
.......
CD Changer Error Messages . 87
.........................................
CD Player .83
........................
Certif ication Label .178
...................................
Chains, .150
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .130
......................................
When to .121
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .155
...
Charging System Indicator . 40,166
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 112
........
Back-up Light Replacement . 141Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .40, 166
............................
Jump Starting .162
..............................
Maintenance .151
............................
Specif ications .181
................................
Bef ore Driving .99
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,15
.............................
Beverage Holder .70
..................................
Booster Seats .31
............................................
Brakes .116
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 117
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 100
...........................................
Fluid .136
.........................................
Parking .67
.................
System Indicator . 40,168
..............
Wear Indicators, Disc . 117
.............................
Braking System .116
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 100
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 49
........................
Brights, Headlights .48
.........................
Bulb Replacement .137
..........................
Back-up Lights .141
.................................
Headlights .137
...........
Side Turn Signal Lights . 139
............................
Specif ications .181 ............
Turn Signal Lights . 139,141
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .137
how to carry
tires
Index
B A C
I
..............................
Economy, Fuel .104
............
Emergencies on the Road . 153
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 162
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 155
.....
Charging System Indicator . 166
..................
Checking the Fuses . 170
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 49
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 166
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 167
..................
Overheated Engine . 163
...........................
Emergency Brake .67
......................
Emergency Flashers .49
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 55
.......................
Emissions Controls .185
.....................................
Child Saf ety .22
..............................
Booster Seats .31
...................................
Child Seats .26
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 25
..........................
Larger Children .30
......................
Risk With Airbags .23
.............................
Small Children .26
.......................................
Child Seats .26
Cleaning .................................
Floor Mats .143
...................................
Seat Belts .143
...................................
Clutch Fluid .136
........................
CO in the Exhaust .185
.........................
Compact .154
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 70
..............................
Convertible Top .61
...............
Convertible Top Cover . 63
..
Lowering the Convertible Top . 61
................................
Maintenance .65
.....
Raising the Convertible Top . 64
Coolant ........................................
Adding .132
....................................
Checking .103
.........................
Proper Solution .132
...................
Temperature Gauge . 45Crankcase Emission Control
........................................
System .185
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 95
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 42
......................................
Cup Holder .70
Customer Relations ................................
Inf ormation .192
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .38
................
Daytime Running Lights . 48
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .42
.................................
Dead Battery .162
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 194
................
Def rosting the Windows . 77
....................................
Dimensions .180
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 48
Dipstick ..................................
Engine Oil .103
..........................
Directional Signals .48
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 117
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .132
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer . 118Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 54
..............................
Monitor Light .41
......................
Power Door Locks .54
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 182
Downshif ting, 6-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .114
...........................................
Driving .111
....................................
Economy .104
spare tire
Index
D
E
II
....................................
Hood Latch .135
.......................
Hood, Opening the .102
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .136
................
Jacking Up the Vehicle . 156
.......................................
Jack, Tire .155
................................
Jump Starting .162
..................................................
Keys .51 .........................
Label, Certif ication .78
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 48
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 12,15
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .137
.......................................
Indicator .40
..................................
Turn Signal .48
.....................................
Load Limit .108
...............................
Loading Cargo .107
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 53
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 53
............................
Fuel Fill Door .101
.................................
Power Door .54
...........................................
Trunk .54
........................
Low Coolant Level .103
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 114
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .42
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 40,166
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 180
...............
Luggage, .107
Identif ication Number,
.......................................
Vehicle .178
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .51
...........................................
Switch .53
............
Timing Control System . 186
Indicator Lights, Instrument .........................................
Panel .40
..............
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) . 41
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .40
........................
Charging System .40
.............................
Cruise Control .42
....................................
Door-open .41
DRL(Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .42
EPS (Electrical Power ..................................
Steering) .41
...................................
High Beam .42
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 42......................................
Low Fuel .42
........................
Low Oil Pressure .40
...............
Maintenance Required . 43
.......................................
Seat Belt .40
...............................................
SRS .41
..................................
Trunk-open .41
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .42
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 146
...................................
Inside Mirror .66
.............................
Inspection, Tire .147
............................
Instrument Panel .39
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 49
.................................
Interior Lights .68
........................................
Introduction .i
storing (cargo)
Index
I
J
KL
IV