
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transmission in N
(Neutral), but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
Control to maximum heat, the Mode Control to floor, and
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 the temperature gauge reads ªHº,
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 ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 273
6

or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have an authorized technician inspect the complete ex-
haust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, 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.
Cooling System
WARNING!
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 radia-
tor or coolant bottle 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.
Check the front of the radiator for any accumulation of
bugs, leaves, etc. Clean the radiator by gently spraying
water from a garden hose at the back of the core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for condition and
tightness of connection. Inspect the entire system for
leaks. Any hoses that show cuts or severe abrasion must
be replaced.
Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush, And Refill
At the intervals shown in the appropriate ªMaintenance
Schedule,º the system should be drained, flushed, and
refilled.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 303
7

If the solution is dirty and contains a considerable
amount of sediment, clean and flush with reliable cooling
system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove
all deposits and chemicals.
Engine Coolant Disposal
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. Do not store ethylene glycol based engine
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. Prevent ingestion by animals or
children. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer's recommended coolant, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts
for correct coolant type.
CAUTION!
²Mixing of coolants other than the specified HOAT
coolant may result in decreased corrosion protec-
tion and engine damage that may not be covered
under the new vehicle warranty. If a non-HOAT
coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an
emergency, it should be replaced with the speci-
fied coolant as soon as possible.
²Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base
antifreeze products. Do not use additional rust
inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not be
compatible with the radiator coolant and may
plug the radiator.
²This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propy-
lene Glycol base coolants is not recommended.
304 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, a minimum solution of 50% rec-
ommended ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant in water
should be used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed
70%) if temperatures below -37ÉF (-38ÉC) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water/antifreeze solution. The
use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent engine
coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
The warning words DO NOT OPEN HOT on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add coolant when the engine is overheated.
Do not loosen or remove the cap to cool an over-
heated engine. Heat causes pressure to build up in
the cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury, do
not remove the pressure cap while the system is hot
or under pressure.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 305
7

Coolant Level
The coolant recovery bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. The coolant level must be at or above the COLD
FULL level on the bottle. The radiator normally remains
completely full, so there is no need to remove the radiator
cap unless checking for coolant freeze point or replacing
coolant. Advise your service attendant of this. As long as
the engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the
coolant bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant recovery
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles of
operation, you may observe vapor coming from the front
of the engine compartment. This is normally a result of
306 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

moisture from rain, snow, or high humidity accumulat-
ing on the radiator and being vaporized when the
thermostat opens, allowing hot water to enter the radia-
tor.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
²Do not overfill the coolant bottle.
²Check coolant freeze point in the system.
²If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the recovery bottle does not drop when the
engine cools, the cooling system should be pressure
tested for leaks.
²Maintain coolant concentration to 50% ethylene glycol
antifreeze (minimum) in water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine that contains aluminum
components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant bottle hoses
are not kinked or obstructed.
²Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Hoses and Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling indicate deterioration of the rubber.
Pay particular attention to the hoses nearest to high heat
sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose rout-
ing to be sure hoses do not touch any heat source or
moving component that may cause heat damage or
mechanical wear.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 307
7

Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 133
Bar, Light............................. 103
Battery............................... 298
Emergency Starting..................... 279
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 27
Saving Feature........................ 102
Belts, Drive............................ 294
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 301
B-Pillar Location........................ 244
Brake System........................... 308
Anti-Lock.........................152,234
Hoses.............................. 308
Master Cylinder....................... 310
Parking............................. 232
Warning Light........................ 155
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 216
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 68
Bulb Replacement....................... 324Bulbs, Light............................ 324
Calibration, Compass..................... 122
Capacities, Fluid........................ 326
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 262
Radiator............................ 305
Car Washes............................ 316
Cargo Area Cover....................... 137
Cargo Area Features...................... 137
Cargo Compartment
Light.............................99,137
Luggage Carrier....................... 142
Cargo Light..........................99,137
Cargo Organizer........................ 140
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 138
Carpeting............................. 318
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 196
Cassette Tape Player.............160,162,174,178
INDEX 359
10

Catalytic Converter...................... 295
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 68
CD Changer......................164,171,182
CD Player...............167,169,174,180,183,186
CD Player Maintenance................... 197
Cellular Phone........................78,198
Chains, Tire............................ 257
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 274
Charging System Light.................... 153
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 241
Child Restraint......................58,63,65
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............62,63
Child Safety Locks........................ 22
Cigar Lighter........................... 135
Climate Control......................... 198
Clock................................ 158
Clutch Interlocking Ignition System........210,215
Command-Trac Operation.................. 222
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 197Compass.............................. 122
Compass Calibration..................... 122
Compass Variance....................... 123
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 120
Console, Overhead....................... 110
Contract, Service........................ 350
Converter, Catalytic...................... 295
Cooling System......................... 303
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 305
Coolant Capacity...................... 326
Coolant Level......................... 306
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 304
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 303
Inspection........................... 303
Points to Remember.................... 306
Pressure Cap......................... 305
Radiator Cap......................... 305
Selection of Coolant..................304,326
Temperature Gauge..................... 153
360 INDEX