Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has f astened his or
her seat belt (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
1.
2.
58
66 12
39
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Preparing to Drive
Driving
113
Make sure the convertible top and
the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb, and put the transmission in
f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb, and put the transmission in
reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is on an
incline.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
CONT INUED
Parking
Parking T ipsBraking System
Parking, Braking System
Driving
117
If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Raise the convertible top cover.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If you store your vehicle f or 1 year or
longer, have your dealer perf orm the
inspections called f or in the 2 years/
30,000 miles (48,000 km)
maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
125
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
155
Î
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .3, 38
................
Daytime Running Lights . 48
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .42
.................................
Dead Battery .166
............
Defects, Reporting Safety . 196
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 50
................
Defrosting the Windows . 77
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .138
....................................
Dimensions .184
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 48
Dipstick ..................................
Engine Oil .103
..........................
Directional Signals .48
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 118
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .134 ...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer . 119
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 54
.......................
Monitor Indicator .41
......................
Power Door Locks .54
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 186
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .115
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .111
....................................
Economy .104
........................
Driving Guidelines .112
..............................
Economy, Fuel .104
..................................
Emergencies .157
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 166
...........
Brake System Indicator . 172
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 159
.....
Charging System Indicator . 170
..................
Checking the Fuses . 174
...
Closing the Convertible Top . 173
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 49
............................
Jump Starting .166
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 170
.....................................
Child Saf ety .23
..............................
Booster Seats .32
...................................
Child Seats .28
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 26
..........................
Larger Children .31
.......................
Risk with Airbags .24
.............................
Small Children .27
.......................................
Child Seats .28
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .145
.................................................
Clock .45
...................................
Clutch Fluid .139
........................
CO in the Exhaust .189
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 114
......................
Compact Spare Tire .158
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 194
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 37
..............................
Convertible Top .61
...............
Convertible Top Cover . 63
..
Lowering the Convertible Top . 61
................................
Maintenance .65
.....
Raising the Convertible Top . 64
Coolant ........................................
Adding .134
....................................
Checking .104
.........................
Proper Solution .134
...................
Temperature Gauge . 45Crankcase Emission Control
........................................
System .189
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 41
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 95
......................................
Cup Holder .69
.............
Customer Service Of f ice . 194
Index
D
E
II
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 140
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 49
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .140
............
Daytime Running Lights . 48
..................
High Beam Indicator . 42
...........................
Reminder Tone .48
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 140
...................................
Turning on .48
.........
Heating and Cooling System . 74
............................
High Beam Lever .48
.......................
Hood, Opening the .102
..................................................
Horn .46
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .139
Identif ication Number, .......................................
Vehicle .182
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .51
...........................................
Switch .53
............
Timing Control System . 190
........................
Immobilizer System .52 .........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators ..............
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) . 41
Brake (Parking and Brake ............................
System) .40, 172
................
Charging System . 40,170
.............................
Cruise Control .41
....................................
Door-open .41
DRL(Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .42
EPS (Electrical Power ..................................
Steering) .41
...................................
High Beam .42
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 42
......................................
Low Fuel .42
................
Low Oil Pressure . 40,170
...............
Maintenance Required . 43
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .41, 171
.......................................
Seat Belt .40
...............................................
SRS .41
..................................
Trunk-open .41
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .42
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 40...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 149
........
Recommended Pressures . 150
...................................
Inside Mirror .66
.............................
Inspection, Tire .150
....................
Installing a Child Seat .28
............................
Instrument Panel .39
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 49
...........................................
Interiors .40
........................................
Introduction . i
.......................
Label, Certif ication .182
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 48
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 12,16
..................................................
Keys .51
................
Jacking Up the Vehicle . 160
.......................................
Jack, Tire .159
................................
Jump Starting .166
Index
I J
K
L
H
IV
CONT INUED
Lights....................
Bulb Replacement .140
.......................................
Indicator .40
..................................
Turn Signal .48
....................................
Load Limits .108
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 53
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 53
............................
Fuel Fill Door .101
.................................
Power Door .54
...........................................
Trunk .54
........................
Low Coolant Level .104
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .42
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 40,170
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 184
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) . 107..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 100
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .116
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 182
..................................
Maintenance .121
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .124
........................................
Record .127
......................
Required Indicator .43
..........................................
Saf ety .122
....................................
Schedule .123 .
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 41,171
...................
Manual Transmission . 115
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 137
...............................
Meters, Gauges .44
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 100
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .66
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 106
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 49
...........................................
Parking .117
.................................
Parking Brake .67
Parking Brake and Brake System .....................................
Indicator .172
.................................
Parking Lights .48
.............................
PGM-FI System .190
...................................
Pollen Filter .146
..........................
Power Door Locks .54
..................
Power Socket Location . 68
..............................
Power Windows .59
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 100
.........................................
Odometer .44
...............................
Odometer, Trip .44
Oil ........................
Change, How to .132
......................
Change, When to .125
......................
Checking Engine .103
..............
Pressure Indicator . 40,170 Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart .132
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 53
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .189
.........................
Opening the Trunk .54
..............................
Outside Mirrors .66
....................
Overheating, Engine .167
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 124
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .100
Index
M N
O
P
INDEX
V