Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle’s electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle at a
higher revolutions per minute (rpm) setting than
normal to make sure the battery charges. High electrical
loads may occur when several of the following are
on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, the climate control fan at high speeds, heated
seats and engine cooling fans.
If the battery continues to discharge, even with the
engine idling at a higher rpm setting, some electrical
loads will automatically be reduced. When this occurs,
the rear window defogger may take slightly longer
to clear the glass, the heated seats may not get as warm
as they usually do and the fan may cut back to a
lower speed. For more battery saving information, see
“Battery Saver Active Message” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-60.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle’s battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,
glove box lamp, or the garage door opener. When the
ignition is turned off, the power to these features will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes (three minutes if
a new car has 15 miles (24 km) or less). Power will
be restored for an additional 10 minutes if any door is
opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy lamp switch
is turned on.
Night Vision System
If your vehicle is equipped with the Night Vision System,
it can help you see better when you drive at night.
The system works by sensing heat given off by objects
in its eld of view. Warmer objects, such as pedestrians,
animals, and other moving vehicles, will appear
whiter. Colder objects, such as the sky, signs, and
parked vehicles, will appear darker.
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Follow the proper installation instructions that are
included with any electrical equipment you install.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
Front Ashtray
With the full oor console, the ashtray is located below
the climate control system. To open, push down on
the cover. To clean the ashtray, lift it out by gripping
the sides.
For vehicles without the oor console, pull the tray
located below the radio to reveal the ashtray.
The ashtray can be removed for cleaning.
Rear Ashtray
The ashtrays are located on the door armrests.
To use an ashtray, lift the lid.
Cigarette Lighter
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
The cigarette lighter is located near the front ashtray.
Press the lighter all the way in and release it. It will pop
back out by itself once the element has heated for use.
Cigarette lighters can be used to provide electrical
power to accessories. SeeAccessory Power Outlets
on page 3-28for more information.
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Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When this button is pressed and
the temperature is set, the system will automatically
control the inside temperature, the air delivery mode and
the fan speed. AUTO will appear on the display.
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting
between 70°F (21°C) and 80°F (27°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool
any faster.If you set the system at the warmest temperature
setting, the system will remain in manual mode
at that temperature and it will not go into
automatic mode.
In cold weather, the system will start at reduced fan
speeds to avoid blowing cold air into your vehicle
until warmer air is available. The system will
start out blowing air at the oor but may change
modes automatically as the vehicle warms up
to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The
length of time needed for warm up will depend on
the outside temperature and the length of time
that has elapsed since your vehicle was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from
10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature,
if necessary.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensors” later in
this section.
When your vehicle is rst started, the display will show
the driver’s temperature setting, the fan speed, the
air delivery mode and the outside temperature.
When the ENG/MET (English/metric) button on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) is pressed, the display
will show readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius. Use the
ENG/MET button to toggle between them.
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Manual Operation
yMODEz:Pressing the MODE switch and changing
the mode cancels automatic operation and places the
system in manual mode. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
F(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
*(Bi-Level):This mode directs approximately half of
the air to the instrument panel outlets, and then
directs most of the remaining air to the oor outlets.
Some air may be directed toward the windshield.
In automatic operation, cooler air is directed to the upper
outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
7(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the outboard
outlets, for the side windows, and a little air directed to
the windshield.
The MODE switch can also be used to select the
oor/defog mode. Information on defogging and
defrosting can be found later in this section.
y9z(Fan):Press this switch to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Pressing this switch cancels
automatic operation and places the system in manual
mode. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation.
If the air ow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-36
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or
to help heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more
quickly. Press this button to turn the recirculation mode
on or off. When the button is pressed, an indicator
light will come on. The air-conditioning compressor also
comes on.
Driver’s Temperature Knob:Press this knob to turn
the entire climate control system on or off. Turn this
knob clockwise or counterclockwise to manually
increase or decrease the temperature inside your
vehicle.
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yPASS TEMPz(Passenger’s Temperature):
Press this switch to turn the passengers’ climate control
systems on. Press this switch to manually increase
or decrease the temperature for the front passenger.
PASS OFF (Passenger’s Climate Control):Press this
button to turn all passenger climate control systems off.
If the passenger’s temperature switch is turned off, the
driver’s temperature knob will control the temperature for
the entire vehicle.
A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to override
the automatic system and turn the air-conditioning
system on or off. When in AUTO the air-conditioning
compressor will come on automatically, as necessary.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.For quick cool down on hot days:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the recirculation mode.
3. Select A/C.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
6. Open all outlets.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside your vehicle to become too dry.
To prevent this from happening, after the air in your
vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
If your vehicle has the memory option, it can be used to
recall your climate control settings. For more information,
seeClimate Controls Personalization on page 3-39.
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Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and the air inside your vehicle, then uses the
information to maintain the selected temperature by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the fan
speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated, as
necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located in the
middle of the instrument panel, near the windshield,
or the system will not work properly.There is also a sensor located behind the front grill.
This sensor reads the outside air temperature and helps
to maintain the temperature inside the vehicle.
Any cover on the front of the vehicle could cause a
false reading in the temperature.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog
from your windshield. Use the oor/defog mode to
clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm
the passengers. Use the defrost mode (FRONT) to
remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
yMODEz:Press this button until the oor/defog
symbol appears on the display.
.(Floor/Defog):This mode directs the air equally
between the windshield and the oor outlets. When you
select this mode, the system turns off recirculation
and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
The recirculation mode cannot be selected while in
the oor/defog mode.
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