
•To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the trunk while driving. However, if for some reason it
must remain open, close all windows. Adjust the
heating or cooling system to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Safety belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed, during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometer, press and release
the Trip Odometer button. Press and release the Trip
button a second time to return to the odometer. While in
trip mode, press and hold the button for at least
1⁄2second
to reset the trip odometer.
Door, Deck or Trunk Ajar Warnings
If you move the vehicle and a door is not completely
closed, the word DOOR will replace the odometer dis-
play and a chime will sound once. The odometer display
will reappear when the door is closed. If the trunk is not
completely closed, the word DECK will replace the
odometer display. The odometer display will reappear
when the trunk is closed.
16. Anti-Lock Warning Light—If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
described elsewhere in this manual. This light
will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
RUN position and may stay on for several seconds. If
the light does not come on, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer. The warning light should be
checked frequently to assure that it is operating prop-
erly.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
17. Oil Pressure Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will
come on and remain on briefly when the igni-
tion is turned on as a bulb check. If the bulb does not
come on during starting, have the bulb repaired
promptly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 93
4

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads“H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle in Park
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the“H”, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 187
6

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
•Day and night temperatures are below 32°F(0°C)
•Stop and Go driving
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C)
•Trailer towing
•Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service)
•Off—road or desert operation
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 207
7

WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You may not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasion, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particular
attention should be made to examining those hose sur-
faces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid,
and brake fluid are used during assembly plant opera-
tions to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not neces-
sarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot
fluid when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before hose is replaced based
on leakage.
NOTE:Inspection of brake hoses should be done
whenever the brake system is serviced and every engine
oil change.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 225
7

Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever
comes first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•
Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transaxle and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
•Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
248 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
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U
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E
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Special Additives..................... 229
Autostick............................. 173
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 81
Ball Joints............................ 216
Battery............................... 212
Emergency Starting.................... 192
Gas Caution......................194,213
Heater............................. 146
Jump Starting........................ 192
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 22
Location.........................192,213
Belts, Drive........................... 210
Belts, Engine.......................... 212
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 216
B-Pillar Location....................... 160
Brake, Parking......................... 151
Brake System.......................153,224
Anti-Lock........................... 153
Fluid Check......................... 226
Hoses.............................. 225
Master Cylinder...................... 226
Warning Light........................ 94Brake/Transmission Interlock...........147,149
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 48
Bulb Replacement...................237,239
Bulbs, Light........................... 237
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 243
Capacities, Fluid....................... 243
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 178
Oil (Engine)......................... 209
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 222
Car Washes........................... 230
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 177
Carpeting............................. 231
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 124
Cassette Tape Player...............101,109,112
Catalytic Converter..................... 211
CD Changer..................108,113,118,120
CD Player....................106,114,116,124
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 241
Central Locking......................... 17
Chains, Tire........................... 171
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 187
INDEX 279
10

Bulb Replacement..................... 237
Check Engine......................... 91
Daytime Running...................... 67
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............66,68
Engine Temperature Warning............. 92
Exterior Check........................ 49
Fog ...........................67,92,240
Front Replacement.................... 240
Headlight Switch...................... 66
Headlights........................... 66
High Beam........................... 68
High Beam Indicator................... 91
Illuminated Entry...................... 15
Instrument Cluster..................... 66
Interior.............................. 64
License............................. 242
Lights On Reminder.................... 67
Low Fuel............................ 95
Malfunction Indicator................... 91
Map Reading......................... 65
Oil Pressure.......................... 93
Park............................... 239
Rear Servicing....................... 242Seat Belt Reminder..................... 95
Security Alarm........................ 23
Service............................. 237
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . 91
Side Marker......................... 239
Theft Alarm.......................... 95
Traction Control...................... 156
Turn Signal...................66,67,91,239
Voltage.............................. 91
Load Limits........................... 179
Loading Vehicle
Capacities........................... 179
Tires ............................160,179
Locks
Central.............................. 17
Child Protection....................... 18
Cylinder............................ 216
Cylinder Maintenance.................. 216
Door............................... 15
Ignition............................. 11
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 45
Lubricants............................ 216
INDEX 285
10