This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .158
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .159
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 164
................................
Jump Starting .166
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 167
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 170
..........
Charging System Indicator . 170
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 171
...............
Brake System Indicator . 172
.......
Closing the Convertible Top . 173
..............................................
Fuses .174
..........
Checking and Replacing . 175
..............................
Fuse Locations .177
......................
Emergency Towing .179
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 179
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
157
Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you press
the ENGINE START button.You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you press the ENGINE
START button, you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
areverydimordonotcomeonat
all, the battery is discharged. See on page . Press the ENGINE START button,
then release it. If the headlights do
not dim, check the condition of the
fuses.If thefusesareOK,thereis
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem. (See
on page .)
166 179
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
164
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you press the
ENGINE START button, but the
engine does not run.
If you f ind nothing wrong, you will
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working. 52
114
154
166 174
179
T he Starter Operates Normally
Emergency
Towing
Starting the
Engine
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
165
´´
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
To jump start your vehicle:
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
Turn of f all the electrical
accessories: heater, A/C, audio
system, lights, etc. Put the
transmission in Neutral, and set
the parking brake.
3.
1.
2.
Jump Starting
166
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
µThe reading on your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
If it reaches the red mark, you
should determine the reason (hot
day, driving up a steep hill, etc.).
If your vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge reading reaching the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper
cables away from each other and
any metal on the vehicle until
everything is disconnected.
Otherwise, you may cause an
electrical short. Start your vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 6.
7.
5. 4.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats
If the Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
167
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .105
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .53
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 69
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 132
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 19
................
Air Conditioning System . 74
............................................
Usage .76
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .150
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .100
......................................
Antif reeze .134
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .41, 119
...................................
Operation .118
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 53
............................
Anti-thef t System .94
......................................
Audio Panel .70
..................................
Audio System .78
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 17
...............
Automatic Speed Control . 95
........
Back-up Light Replacement . 144Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .40, 170
............................
Jump Starting .166
..............................
Maintenance .154
............................
Specif ications .185
................................
Bef ore Driving .99
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,16
.............................
Beverage Holder .69
..................................
Booster Seats .32
............................................
Brakes .117
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 118
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 100
...........................................
Fluid .139
.........................................
Parking .67
..........................
System Design .118
.................
System Indicator . 40,172
........................
Wear Indicators .118
.............................
Braking System .117
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 100
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 49
........................
Brights, Headlights .48
.........................
Bulb Replacement .140
..........................
Back-up Lights .144
.................................
Headlights .140
...........
Side Turn Signal Lights . 143............................
Specif ications .185
............
Turn Signal Lights . 142,144
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .140
............................
Capacities Chart .184
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 35
....................
Cargo, How to Carry .107
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...........................................
CD Care .90
.....................................
CD Changer .90
.......
CD Changer Error Messages . 92
........................
CD Error Messages .91
.........................................
CD Player .88
........................
Certif ication Label .182
.................................
Chains, Tires .153
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .159
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .132
......................................
When to .125
...
Charging System Indicator . 40,170
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 113
Index
B A
C
INDEX
I
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