Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a indicator check when the ignition switch is
first turned on. If the indicator is not lit during starting,
have it serviced. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
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 for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all 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,
coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
2
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are latched fully before
driving.
LIGHTS
Interior Lights
The overhead light comes on when a door is opened. It
may also be turned on by rotating the control for the
dimmer switch on the muti-function control lever fully
upward.
The overhead light will automatically turn off in about 20
minutes if a door is left open or the dimmer control is left
in the dome light position. Turn the ignition switch ON to
restore the overhead light operation.
Daytime Brightness Feature
Certain instrument panel components (odometer, radio
display) can be illuminated at full brightness during the
daytime. This can be helpful when driving with your
headlights on during the daytime such as in a parade or
a funeral procession. To activate this feature, rotate the
left stalk one detent lower than the dome light.
Multi-Function Control Lever
The multi-function control lever controls the operation of
the parking lights, headlights, headlight beam selection,
passing light, fog lights, instrument panel light dimming,
and turn signals.
56 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Parking Lights, Instrument Panel Lights, and
Headlights
Turn the end of the multi-function control lever to the
first detent for parking lights and instrument panel
lights. Turn to the second detent for headlight operation.
To change the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
rotate the center portion of the muti-function control
lever up or down.
NOTE:If the driver's door is left open, and the head-
lights or parking lights are left on, the ªHigh Beam
Indicator Lightº will flash and a chime will sound.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned off, a chime will sound when the driver's door
is opened.
Headlight Dimmer Switch
Pull the multi-function control lever towards you to
switch the headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the muti-
function control lever a second time to switch the head-
lights to LOW beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multi-function control lever toward
the steering wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn
on at high beam and remain on until the lever is released.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 57
3
Front Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The front fog light switch is in the multi-function
control lever. To activate the front fog lights, turn
on the parking or low beam headlights and pull
out the end of the lever.
NOTE:The fog lights will only operate with the park-
ing lights or the headlights on low beam. Selecting high
beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the multi-function control lever up or down and
the arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to
show proper operation of the front and rear turn signal
lights. You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a
very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside light
bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the fuse or indicator bulb is
defective.
NOTE:A tone will chime if the turn signals are left on
for more than 1 mile (2 km).
Daytime Running Lights Ð Canada Only
The headlights come on at a low intensity level after the
vehicle has been driven approximately 3 feet (1 meter).
They will turn off when the vehicle is turned off or when
the headlights are switched on.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
CAUTION!
In cold weather, always turn off the wiper switch
and allow the wipers to return to the park position
before turning off the engine. If the wiper switch is
left on and the wipers freeze to the windshield,
damage to the wiper motor may occur when the
vehicle is restarted.
Intermittent Wiper System
Use the intermittent wiper when weather conditions
make a single wiping cycle, with a variable pause be-
tween cycles, desirable. Move the lever to the DELAY
position, then select the delay interval by turning the end
58 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
7. High Beam Indicator Light
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. If the driver's door is open, and the headlights or
parklights are left on, the ªHigh Beam Indicator Lightº
will flash and a chime will sound.
8. Seat Belt Indicator Light
A warning chime and an indicator light will
alert you to buckle the seat belts. When the belt
is buckled, the chime will stop, but the light will
stay on until it times out (about 6 seconds).
9. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
10. Front Axle Lock Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
Indicates when the front axle lock has been
activated.11. Rear Axle Lock Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
Indicates when the rear axle lock has been
activated.
12. 4WD Indicator Light
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is
in the four-wheel drive mode, and the front
and rear driveshafts are mechanically locked
together forcing the front and rear wheels to
rotate at the same speed.
13. Shift Indicator Light Ð If Equipped
This light shows the driver when to shift to the
next higher gear for best fuel economy (4.0L
Only).
14. Oil Pressure Gauge
Indicates engine oil pressure. This gauge does
not indicate oil level, and pressure varies with
engine speed, temperature and oil viscosity. Consis-
tent lower readings indicate possible malfunction.
Seek authorized service.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 117
4
Daytime Running...................... 58
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 57
Fog ................................ 58
Headlight Switch...................... 57
High Beam.......................... 117
High Beam Indicator................... 117
Instrument Cluster..................... 57
Interior.............................. 56
Lights On Reminder.................... 57
Low Fuel........................... 120
Passing............................. 57
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 117
Sentry Key.......................... 116
Turn Signal........................58,116
Upshift Indicator...................... 117
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 116
Loading Vehicle
Tires ............................... 188
Locks................................ 15
Door............................... 15
Steering Wheel........................ 14
Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren (LATCH)...................... 33Lubrication, Body....................... 237
Lug Nuts............................. 215
Maintenance, Airbag..................... 29
Maintenance Free Battery................. 234
Maintenance Procedures.................. 228
Maintenance Schedule................... 262
Schedule9A9......................... 274
Schedule9B9......................... 265
Maintenance Schedules.................. 262
Malfunction Indicator Light............ 118,226
Manual, Service........................ 285
Manual Transmission.................163,246
Fluid Level Check..................... 247
Lubricant Selection.................... 246
Shift Speeds......................... 164
Master Cylinder........................ 244
Mirrors............................... 46
Automatic Dimming.................... 46
Compass/Temperature.................. 46
Outside............................. 49
Rearview............................ 46
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............ 8
294 INDEX