Page 243 of 394
Air conditioning switch
The air conditioning can be operated while the engine is
running.
Push the switch and the air conditioning (cooling/
dehumidifying function) will operate. When ªONº, the
operation indicator lamp (A) will illuminate.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning will stop.
CAUTION!
When using the air conditioning, the idle speed is
slightly increased. Therefore, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal when shifting the trans-
mission to drive.
For the 3.0 liter engine model, if the air conditioning
indicator (A) blinks, it is suspected that something is
wrong with the air conditioning. Move the vehicle to
a safe place and stop the engine. Then run the engine
again and see the air conditioning indicator (A). If
the indicator goes out, there is nothing wrong with
the air conditioning. If it blinks again, have the
system checked by the authorized dealer.
H23A3260
FOR PLEASANT DRIVING 243
6
Page 249 of 394
VEHICLE CARE
CONTENTS
mCleaning the inside of your vehicle.........251
NPlastic, vinyl leather, fabric, and flocked parts . . 251
NUpholstery..........................251
NGenuine leather (if so equipped)...........252
mCleaning the outside of your vehicle........252
NForeign material.......................252
NWashing............................253
NDuring cold weather...................254
NWaxing your vehicle....................255NPolishing your vehicle..................256
NDamaged paint.......................256
NCleaning plastic parts...................256
NChrome parts........................257
NAluminum wheels (if so equipped).........257
NWindow glass........................257
NWiper blades.........................257
NCleaning the sunroof (if so equipped).......257
NEngine compartment...................257
7
Page 253 of 394

Washing
Chemicals contained in the dirt and dust picked up from
air, rain, snow, or road surface can damage the paint coat
and body of your vehicle if left in prolonged contact.
Frequent washing and waxing is the best way to protect
your vehicle from this damage.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight. Park the
vehicle in the shade and spray it with water to remove
dust. Next, using an ample amount of clean water and a
car washing mitt or sponge, wash the vehicle from top to
bottom.
Use a mild vehicle washing soap. Rinse thoroughly and
wipe dry with a chamois or soft cloth. After washing the
vehicle, carefully clean the joints and flanges of the doors,
hood, etc., where dirt is likely to remain.CAUTION!
²When washing the under side of your vehicle,
wear a pair of rubber gloves in order to protect
your hands.
²Never spray or splash water on the electrical
components in the engine compartment, as this
may adversely affect the starting circuit.
Exercise caution also when washing the under-
body; be careful not to spray water into the engine
compartment.
²Using an automatic car wash, pay attention to the
following items, referring to the operation manual
or consulting a car wash operator.
²The outside mirrors and the antenna are retracted.
VEHICLE CARE 253
7
Page 256 of 394

Polishing your vehicle
If painted surfaces have been severely damaged and lost
their original luster and color tone, polish the surface
lightly with a fine polishing compound. Avoid limiting
your polishing to the damaged surface only; polish a
somewhat wider area, moving the polishing cloth in one
direction. After polishing, flush the compound from the
surface and apply a coat of wax to regain a beautiful
luster.
Damaged paint
Small cracks and scratches in the paint coat should be
touched up as soon as possible with touch-up paint to
prevent corrosion.
Check body areas facing the road or the tires carefully for
damage to the paint coat caused by flying stones, etc. The
paint code number for your vehicle can be found on the
vehicle information code plate in the engine compart-
ment.
Cleaning plastic parts
Use a sponge or chamois.
If vehicle wax adheres on the plastic bumper or mold-
ings, the surface may appear white in color. In this case,
wipe it off using lukewarm water and a soft cloth or
chamois.
CAUTION!
²Do not use a scrub brush or other hard tools as
they may damage the plastic part surface.
²Do not use wax containing compound (polishing
compound) which may damage the plastic part
surface.
²Do not bring plastic parts into contact with brake
fluids, engine oils, greases, thinner for painting,
and sulfuric acid (battery electrolyte) which may
stain, crack or discolor the plastic parts.
If they touch the plastic part, wipe them with a
soft cloth, or chamois and an aqueous solution of
neutral detergent. Then, immediately rinse the
affected parts with water.
256 VEHICLE CARE
Page 257 of 394

Chrome parts
To prevent spots and corrosion of chrome parts, wash
with water, dry thoroughly, and apply a nonabrasive
automotive wax. If the chrome is severely damaged or
pitted use a commercially available chrome polish.
Aluminum wheels (if so equipped)
A protective coating is provided over aluminum wheels.
Clean aluminum wheels with a cleaner designed for use
on aluminum and apply an appropriate protection agent.
CAUTION!
²Do not use abrasive cleaners.
²Brushes may damage the aluminum wheel sur-
face. Be sure to use a sponge, chamois, etc.
²Do not apply hot water directly from a steam
cleaner to the wheel surface.
²Wheels exposed to sea water or road chemicals
should be cleaned as soon as possible.
Window glass
The window glass can be cleaned using only a sponge
and water. Glass cleaner can be used to remove wax, oil,
grease, dead insects, etc. After washing the glass, wipe
dry with a clean, dry, soft cloth.
Wiper blades
Use a soft cloth and glass cleaner to remove grease, dead
insects, etc., from the wiper blades.
Replace the wiper blades when they no longer clean the
windshield properly.
Cleaning the sunroof (if so equipped)
Clean the inside of the sunroof with a soft cloth. Hard
deposits should be wiped away with a cloth dipped in
warm, neutral detergent solution. Wipe away the solu-
tion with a sponge dipped in fresh water.
NOTE: The surface treatment on the inside of the glass
may be removed if a hard cloth or organic solvent is used.
Engine compartment
Never spray or splash water on the electrical components
in the engine compartment, as this may adversely affect
the electrical circuits.
VEHICLE CARE 257
7
Page 259 of 394

EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mIf the vehicle breaks down................261
NIf the engine quits.....................261
mOperation under adverse driving conditions...261
NIf your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or
snow..............................261
NOnawetroad........................262
NOn snowy or icy roads..................263
mSpare tire, jack and tool set storage.........264
NHandling spare tire....................264
NJack...............................265
mCompact spare tire.....................265
mWheel covers (if so equipped).............266
mJacking and tire changing................268
NJacking up the vehicle..................268
mEngine overheating.....................277
mJump-starting the engine.................278
NIf your vehicle has anti-lock brakes.........282
mTowing..............................282
mFuses...............................284
NFuse block...........................285
mFusible links..........................285
NFuse load capacities....................286
mReplacement of light bulbs................291
NBulb capacity.........................291
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Page 261 of 394

IF THE VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN
If the vehicle breaks down on the road, move to the
shoulder and activate the hazard warning flashers. If
there is no shoulder, or the shoulder is not safe, drive in
the right lane, slowly, with the hazard flashers activated,
until you reach a safe place to stop. Keep the flashers
activated.
If the engine quits
If the engine stops, power will be lost to the steering and
brakes, making steering and braking difficult.
1. The brake booster becomes inoperative and the brake
pedal will be harder to push than usual.
2. Since power steering system is not operative, the
steering wheel will be stiff when turning. Turn the wheel
with more effort than usual.
OPERATION UNDER ADVERSE DRIVING
CONDITIONS
If your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or
snow
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the wheels.
Move the gearshift lever or selector lever rhythmically
between 1st and REVERSE position (with manual trans-
axle), ``L'' (Low) and ``R'' (REVERSE) position (with
automatic transaxle), Autostick and ``R'' (REVERSE) po-
sition (with automatic transaxle), while applying slight
pressure to the accelerator pedal.
Avoid racing the engine or spinning the wheels. Pro-
longed efforts to free a stuck vehicle may result in
overheating and transaxle failure.
Allow the engine to idle for a few minutes to let the
transaxle cool between rocking attempts.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking at-
tempts, seek other assistance.
EMERGENCIES 261
8
Page 272 of 394
WARNING!
²Before using the jack, chock or block the wheel
that is tire diagonally opposite the jacking point.
²Stop jacking up the vehicle when the tire is raised
off the ground. It is dangerous to raise the vehicle
any higher.
²Do not get under the vehicle while using the jack.
²Avoid jarring the raised vehicle or leaving it
supported on the jack for extended periods. Both
are very dangerous.
²Do not use a jack other than the one provided
with your vehicle.
²The jack should not be used for any purpose other
than changing a tire.
²No one should stay in the vehicle while the jack is
used.
²Do not start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on the jack.
NOTE: Place the spare wheel under the vehicle body
near the jack; this helps to minimize danger should the
jack slip out of position.
N24A1500
272 EMERGENCIES