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 tread and sidewall for cuts or
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,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 85
2
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Tire Pressure Monitor Warning Light — If Equipped
This light will turn on when there is a Low tire
pressure condition. The light will remain on
until the tire pressure is properly set. The light
will also flash if a problem exist with any tire
sensor. The light will flash for approximately three sec-
onds every 10 minutes or until the problem with the
sensor is corrected.
This light will turn on momentarily as a bulb check when
the engine is started.
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the tire and loading information placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle ’ s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard and owner ’ s manual.
NOTE: If one of the vehicle active tires has been
replaced by the spare or a wheel rim not equipped with
a TPM sensor, the tire pressure monitor warning light
will flash for approximately three seconds every 10
minutes. Repair or replace the tire or sensor as soon as
possible.196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
NOTE: You must apply the brakes before shifting from
Park.
19. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for 4 minutes when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
20. High Beam Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever towards the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam. 21. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors engine and automatic
transmission control systems. The light will illu-
minate when the key is in the ON position before engine
start. If the bulb does not come when turning the key
from OFF to ON, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on 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.202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Ti re s — General Information ................316
▫ Tire Pressure .........................316
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................317
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ......................320
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........320
▫ Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........321
▫ Tire Spinning ........................322
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................322
▫ Replacement Tires .....................323
▫ Alignment And Balance .................324
Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped . . . 325
▫ 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure ...........325
▫ 1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) High Pressure ...........325 ▫ Check TPM System ....................326
▫ General Information ...................327
Tire Chains ...........................327
Snow Tires ...........................329
Tire Rotation Recommendations ............329
Fuel Requirements ......................330
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................331
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............331
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................331
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................332
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................332
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............333290 STARTING AND OPERATING
2. Economy —
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Underinflation also increases tire
rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consumption.
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability —
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Overinflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure for passenger cars
is listed on either the face of the driver ’ s door or the
driver ’ s side “ B ” pillar. For vehicles other than passenger
cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed on either
the “ B ” pillar, the Certification Label or in the Tire
Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove compartment.
Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information for vehicle loads that are less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con-
ditions will be found in the “ Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information ” section of this manual.
The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to Tire Placard Location STARTING AND OPERATING 317
5
WARNING!Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
CAUTION!Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid, all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure. Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses which have unique material charac-
teristics to provide adequate sealing and resist attack by
deteriorated gasoline.
Use only the manufacturers specified hoses in any fuel
system servicing. It is mandatory to replace all clamps
that have been loosened or removed during service. Care
should be taken in installing new clamps to insure they
are properly torqued.
Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
All automatic transmissions are equipped with a conven-
tional filler tube and dipstick. If fluid is added, it should
be added through the dipstick hole in the case.402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Adding Fuel ........................... 334
Adding Washer Fluid .................. 286,392
Additives, Fuel ......................... 332
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 146
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 388
Air Conditioning ..................... 262,267
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 262
Air Conditioning Filter ................. 284,389
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 284
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone ............. 270,279
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 388
Air Conditioning System .......... 262,267,272,388
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control ........ 263
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 317
Airbag ................................ 53
Airbag Deployment ....................... 65
Airbag Light ................... 57,58,68,84,199
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 67
Airbag, Window ......................... 54 Alarm Light ........................... 200
Alarm System ........................... 27
Alignment and Balance ................... 324
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 257
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........... 395,396,421
Disposal ............................ 397
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 303
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 199
Anti-Theft Security Alarm .................. 27
Appearance Care ........................ 406
Arming Theft System ...................... 27
Ashtray ............................... 171
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 40
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 92
Automatic Door Locks ................... 19,20
Automatic Headlights .................... 136
Automatic Temperature Control ............. 272
Automatic Transaxle ...................... 297458 INDEX
Caps, Filler
Fuel ................................ 334
Oil (Engine) .......................... 382
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 396
Car Washes ............................ 407
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................. 333
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier ....................... 182
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 181
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance ......... 260
Cassette Tape Player ................ 206,216,221
Catalytic Converter ...................... 385
Caution, Exhaust Gas .............. 38,83,333,393
CD Changer ................ 215,224,238,240,243
CD Player ......... 212,216,223,226,229,233,236,243
CD Player Maintenance ................... 261
Cellular Phone ........................ 96,261
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 420
Center Lap Belts ......................... 50 Chains, Tire ............................ 327
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 346
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 309
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator Light) ...................... 202,377
Child Restraint .......................... 69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 74
Child Safety Locks ........................ 33
Child Seat ............................ 68,76
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 331
Climate Control ......................... 262
Clock ................................ 204
Compact Disc Changer .................... 240
Compact Disc Maintenance ................. 261
Compact Disc Player .................. 206,212
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 320
Compass .............................. 151
Compass Calibration ..................... 152
Compass Variance ....................... 152460 INDEX