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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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 131
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NOTE:If the system is in the AUTO mode and the fan
control is already rotated fully clockwise or fully coun-
terclockwise, the control may have to be rotated to the
middle and then to the desired fan setting for manual
adjustment of fan speed.
Manual Air Conditioning/Heater Control—If
Equipped
The Air Conditioning System allows you to balance the
temperature, amount, and direction of air circulating
throughout the vehicle.The air conditioning system of your vehicle contains
R-134a, a refrigerant that does not deplete the ozone layer
in the upper atmosphere.
The controls are as follows:
Fan and Air Conditioning Control
Use this control to regulate the
amount of air forced through the sys-
tem in any mode you select. The 0
Setting represents OFF and the 4 Set-
ting is the greatest amount of air flow.
Air Conditioning Operation
To turn on the Air Conditioning,
choose the direction of the air through
the outlets by selecting between the
Air Conditioning Recirculation, Panel-
Air Conditioning, or Bi-Level Air Con-
ditioning modes on the Mode Control.
Air Conditioning modes are indicated
by the snowflake symbol shown above in illustration.
Adjust the Temperature and Fan Controls.
Manual Air Conditioning and Heating Controls
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 133
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Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the air conditioning compressor is on. This is a
normal occurrence as the compressor will cycle on and
off to maintain comfort and increase fuel economy.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the air condition-
ing condenser for an accumulation of dirt or insects. The
air conditioning condenser is located in front of the
radiator. Clean with a gentle water spray from behind the
radiator and through the condenser. Fabric front fascia
protectors may reduce air flow to the condenser, reducing
air conditioning performance.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. The blue area of the
scale indicates cooler temperatures
while the red area indicates warmer
temperatures.
Mode Control
The mode control allows you to
choose from several patterns of air
distribution.
•Recirculation—Air Conditioning
Recirculated interior air is cooled and sent
through the instrument panel vents. Upon
initial start up of the vehicle in very hot or
humid weather, open windows and put in
outside air modes to flush hot/humid air out. Then
turn on the Recirculation mode to cool the vehicle
interior rapidly. The Recirculation mode can also be
used to temporarily block out any outside odors,
smoke, or dust.
NOTE:
Continuous use of the Recirculation mode may
make the inside air stuffy and under mild, humid condi-
tions cause windows to fog. Use of this mode for longer
than 15 minutes is not recommended.
134 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................144
▫Automatic Transaxle...................144
▫Normal Starting......................144
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below -20°FOr
-29°C) .............................145
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................146
▫After Starting........................146
Battery And Engine Block Heaters—
If Equipped
..........................146
Automatic Transaxle....................147
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock.............147▫Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................148
▫Four Speed Automatic Transaxle..........149
▫Reset Mode.........................149
▫Gear Ranges For Four Speed Automati
Transaxle...........................149
Parking Brake.........................151
Brake System.........................153
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)—
If Equipped.........................153
Power Steering........................155
Traction Control—If Equipped...........155
5
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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
STARTING AND OPERATING 145
5
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If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“NORMAL STARTING”or“EXTREME COLD
WEATHER”procedures, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the“NORMAL STARTING”or“EX-
TREME COLD WEATHER”procedure should be re-
peated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up. At cooler ambient temperatures, the idle
speed for the 2.7L engine may increase during extended
idles for improved heater performance.
BATTERY AND ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS—If
EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord. The engine block
heater cord is found under the hood near the air cleaner
housing.
146 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt AC electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) are
expected to last for several days.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Brake/Transmission Interlock
This interlock system prevents you from moving the gear
selector out of the Park position unless the brake pedal is
pressed. The system is active when the ignition switch is
in the RUN position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle you should shift
the transmission into Park, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the park brake. Once the key is
removed from the ignition the transmission shift
lever is locked in the Park position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle. The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have engaged the transmission shift
lever into the“Park”position:
•When shifting into Park, depress the button on
the shift lever and firmly move the lever all the
way forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console
to ensure it is in the“P”position.
•When engaged in Park you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the
shift lever button.
STARTING AND OPERATING 147
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CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the
engine is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of“P”or
“N”if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK and the shift knob push-button
is out. It also prevents shifting out of PARK unless the
key is in the OFF or RUN positions.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system may trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
148 STARTING AND OPERATING