Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Lights):Turn the thumbwheel
up or down to brighten or dim the instrument panel
lights and the radio display. This will only work if
the headlamps or parking lamps are on. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-13.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open a door
and will slowly dim to off when all doors are closed.
You can also turn the dome lamp on manually by turning
the interior lamps thumbwheel all the way up. In this
position, the dome lamp will remain on whether a door
is opened or closed. SeeInterior Lamps on page 3-16
for additional information on location.
Dome Lamp Override
E(Dome Override):Press this button, located below
the exterior lamp control, to turn the dome lamp off
even when a door is opened. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-13for more information on location.
To return the lamp to automatic operation, press the
button again.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition. The lamps will not
come on if the dome override button is pressed in.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome lamp if it is left on for
more than 20 minutes when the ignition is in LOCK.
This will keep your battery from running down.
Accessory Power Outlets
Your vehicle may have accessory power outlets.
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
Your vehicle may have two accessory power outlets
located on the lower part of the instrument panel below
the climate control system and there may be one
located on the rear of the center console. A small cap
must be pulled down to access an accessory power
outlet. When not using an outlet be sure to cover it with
the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
3-17
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating. Check
with your dealer before adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
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
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and cigarette lighter.
Your ashtray is located in your center console area.
The ashtray can be removed for cleaning. When
the ashtray is removed, this area can also be used as
a cupholder.
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.
To use the lighter, press it in all the way, and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself.
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.
3-18
Mode Buttons
@
(Recirculation):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, you will have the recirculation feature. This
mode recirculates air inside the cabin, and prevents
outside air from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside odors from entering your vehicle and
cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly. Press this
button to turn the recirculation mode on or off. An
indicator light on the button will come on to let you know
the recirculation mode is activated.
Recirculation is available only in the bi-level and vent
modes. If you push the recirculation button in any other
mode, the light will not come on.
#(Air Conditioning):Your vehicle may have air
conditioning. Press this button to turn the air-conditioning
system on or off. An indicator light on the button will
come on to let you know the air conditioning is activated.
When the system is on, this setting cools and
dehumidi es the air entering your vehicle.
The air conditioning will not function if the fan is
turned off.You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
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.
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 or
frost from your windshield and side windows. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture
and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode
to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from the
windshield before defrosting.
3-20
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on brie y when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly — and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a DIC that works along with
the warning lights and gages. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-36for more information.
3-22
Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Simply press the trip information stem.
See “Odometer” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-36for more information.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must
be. But if it cannot, then it is set at zero, and a label
must be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Your vehicle has a trip odometer that can tell you how
far your vehicle has been driven since you last set
the trip odometer to zero.
See “Trip Odometer” underDIC Controls and Displays
on page 3-36for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your vehicle
could be damaged, and the damages would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not operate the engine
with the tachometer in the shaded warning area.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
be provided for several seconds to remind people
to buckle their safety belts. The driver safety belt light
will also be provided and stay on for several seconds,
then it will ash for several more. You should buckle
your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will be provided.
3-24
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the airbag sensors, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the
airbag systems, seeAirbag System on page 1-62.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not in ate in a crash, or they
could even in ate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-25
Airbag Off Light
Regular Cab Models and Extended Cab
Models without Rear Seats
When you turn the airbag off switch to the off position, the
off indictor will come on and stay on to remind you that
the airbag has been turned off. When you turn the airbag
off switch to the on position, the on indicator will come on.
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-71for more on this,
including important safety information.
{CAUTION:
If the right front passenger’s frontal airbag is
turned off for a person who is not in a risk
group identi ed by the national government,
that person will not have the extra protection
of an airbag. In a crash, the frontal airbag
would not be able to in ate and help protect
the person sitting there.
Do not turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag unless the person sitting there
is in a risk group identi ed by the national
government. SeeAirbag Off Switch on
page 1-71for more on this, including important
safety information. United States
Canada
3-26
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the airbag, it means
that something may be wrong with the airbag
system. The right front passenger’s frontal
airbag could in ate even though the switch is
off. If this ever happens, do not let anyone
whom the national government has identi ed
as a member of a passenger airbag risk group
sit in the right front passenger’s position (for
example, do not secure a rear-facing child
restraint in the right front passenger’s seat)
until you have your vehicle serviced.
Battery Warning Light
This light will come on
brie y when you start the
vehicle, as a check to
show you it is working;
then it should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is
on could drain your battery and result in a vehicle that
may stall. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-39for more information.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and climate control system.
3-27