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through several of your typical driving cycles. In most
situations the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
11. Fog Light Indicator—If Equipped
This light shows when the fog lights are ON.
12. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant
temperature. Any reading within the normal
range (approximately mid point on the scale)
shows that the cooling system is operating properly.
The gauge pointer may show a higher than normal
temperature when driving in hot weather, up moun-
tain grades, in heavy stop and go traffic, or when
towing a trailer.
If the pointer rises to the“H”mark, stop the vehicle and
turn off the engine until the problem is corrected.There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the 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 cooling system.
13. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine cool-
ant condition.
14. Transmission Range Indicator
This indicator illuminates to show the automatic trans-
mission gear selection.
An optionalAutoStick Gear Indicatordisplays the current
transaxle gear when in AutoStick mode.
15. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
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Pressing the AM/FM button continues the search in the
alternate frequency band.
To stop the search, press SCAN a second time.
To Set The Radio Push-button Memory
When you are receiving a station that you wish to
commit to push-button memory, press the SET button.
SET 1 will show in the display window. Select the
push-button you wish to lock onto this station and press
and release that button. If a station is not selected within
5 seconds after pressing the SET button, the station will
continue to play but will not be locked into push-button
memory.
You may add a second station to each push-button by
repeating the above procedure with this exception: Press
the SET button twice and SET 2 will show in the display
window. Each button can be set for SET 1 and SET 2 in
both AM and FM. This allows a total of 10 AM and 10 FM
stations to be locked into memory. You can recall the
stations stored in SET 2 memory by pressing the push-
button twice.
To Change From Clock To Radio Mode
Press the Time button to change the display between
radio frequency and time.
Operating Instructions—Tape Player
Insert the cassette with the exposed tape side toward the
right and the mechanical action of the player will gently
pull the cassette into the play position.
NOTE:When subjected to extremely cold temperatures,
the tape mechanism may require a few minutes to warm
up for proper operation. Sometimes poor playback may
be experienced due to a defective cassette tape. Clean and
demagnetize the tape heads at least twice a year.
Seek Button
Press the SEEK button up for the next selection on the
tape and down to return to the beginning of the current
selection.
Press the SEEK button up or down to move the track
number to skip forward or backward 1 to 6 selections.
Press the SEEK button once to move 1 selection, twice to
move 2 selections, etc.
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Hot Weather Automatic Recirculation
The system will automatically recirculate the air inside
the vehicle when the interior is very warm. This will
provide maximum cooling. The system will also occa-
sionally return to REC on hot, humid or very hot, dry
days to maintain occupant comfort.
Side Window Demisters
Side window demisters are located on the instrument
panel. These non adjustable outlets direct air toward the
side windows in any mode except Panel or Panel Recir-
culation. The air is directed toward the area of the side
windows through which you view the outside rearview
mirrors.
Rear Seat Outlets
These outlets are located under the front seats and direct
warm air to the rear seat passengers. Air is directed
through these outlets when you select either the Floor,
Bi-Level, or Mix modes.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure that the air intake directly in front of the
windshield is free of obstructions. Leaves, snow, etc.,
could block air flow into the vehicle.
NOTE:If you cannot get comfortable in the AUTO
mode by adjusting the comfort set point up or down
please refer to the Operating Tips chart (for ATC only) at
the end of this section for suggested control settings in
different weather conditions.
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Rear Seat Outlets
These outlets are located under the front seats and direct
warm air to the rear seat passengers. Air is directed
through these outlets when you select either the Floor,
Bi-Level, or Mix modes.
Rear Window Defroster
The Rear Window Defroster button is located to
the right of the Mode Control. Press this button
once to turn on the Rear Window Defrost and a second
time to turn them off. A light above the button shows that
the defroster is on.
NOTE:The defroster turns off automatically after 15
minutes of operation. Each later activation will allow 10
minutes of operation.
Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is at each end of the
instrument panel. These non-adjustable outlets direct air
toward the side windows when the system is in either the
FLOOR, MIX, or DEFROST modes. A small amount of air
is directed to the side window demisters in BI-LEVEL
mode as well. The air is directed at the area of the
windows through which you view the outside mirrors.
Windshield and Side Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly
removed by using the defrost position on the mode
control.
Your side windows may fog on the inside in mild
rainy or humid weather. To clear the windows,
select the Panel-Air Conditioning mode on the
Mode Control. Point the panel outlets toward the side
windows.
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Trailer Towing........................179
▫Towing Requirements..................179
Flexible Fuel–(2.7L Engines With Automatic
Transmission Only)
.....................181
▫E-85 General Information................181
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................181
▫Fuel Requirements....................181▫Selection Of Engine Oil.................182
▫Starting............................183
▫Cruising Range.......................183
▫Replacement Parts.....................184
▫Maintenance.........................184
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WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
Extreme Cold Weather (below -20°For-29°C)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater and
battery blanket heater package (available from your
dealer) is recommended.
Ignition Key Positions
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WARNING!
Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if
it is not completely in P (Park). Check by trying to
move the gearshift lever back and forth without
depressing the shift button after you have set it in P.
Make sure it is in Park before leaving the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use the Park position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully
when parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
“R”Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
“N”Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
“D”Overdrive
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides smoothest up shifts and down shifts
and best fuel economy.
When frequent transaxle shifting occurs while using the
Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers), use the“3”range.
“3”Drive
This range eliminates shifts into Overdrive. The transaxle
will operate normally in first and second while in this
range.
A delayed shift from second to third will occur at speeds
of about 31 to 38 mph (50 to 60 km/h) and low levels of
accelerator pedal travel. An early down-shift from third
to second will occur at a speed of about 34 to 30 mph (54
to 48 km/h). This is done to provide second gear engine
braking at speeds less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
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To release the parking brake, apply the brake pedal and
pull up on the parking brake lever. Push the release
button and lower the lever fully.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the selector out of Park. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.
You should always apply the parking brake before leav-
ing the vehicle.WARNING!
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake or the gear selector.
Don’t leave the keys in the ignition. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
152 STARTING AND OPERATING