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Operating Tips
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Automatic Temperature Control — If Equipped
The Infrared Dual-Zone Climate Control System auto-
matically maintains the interior comfort level desired by
the driver and passenger. This is accomplished by a dual
sun-sensor in the top of the instrument panel, and an
infrared sensor located in the face of the control unit.
There are also various sensors monitored by this system
which take account for vehicle speed, A/C pressure,
outside temperature, and engine cooling temperature.
The infrared sensor independently measures the surface
temperature of the driver and passenger. Based on the
sensor input, the system automatically adjusts the air
flow temperature, the air flow volume, and amount of
outside air recirculation. This maintains a comfortable
temperature even under changing conditions.Operation of the system is quite simple. Begin by turning
the right mode knob to AUTO, and place the blower
control (left knob) to either LO AUTO or HI AUTO. The
LO AUTO position should be used for front seat occu-
pants only. The HI AUTO position should be used when
more air flow is desired, or when rear seat occupants are
Automatic Temperature Controls
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present. Dial in the temperature you would like the
system to maintain by rotating the driver’s or passenger’s
control knob. Once the comfort level is selected the
system will maintain that level automatically using the
heating system. Should the desired comfort level require
air conditioning, the system will automatically make the
adjustment.
You will experience the greatest efficiency by simply
allowing the system to function automatically. Selecting
the OFF position on the fan control stops the system
completely and closes the outside air intake.
NOTE:The temperature setting can be adjusted at any
time without affecting automatic control operation.
The air conditioning in this system is automatic.
Pressing this button while in AUTO mode will
cause the LED to flash three times and remain off.
This indicates that the system is in AUTO and requesting
the air conditioning is not necessary.The system will automatically control recircu-
lation. However, pressing this button will tem-
porarily put the system in recirculation mode
(ten minutes). This can be used when outside
conditions such as smoke, odors, dust, or high humidity
are present. This will cause the LED to illuminate. After
ten minutes the system will return to normal AUTO
mode function and the LED will turn off.
NOTE:
•The surface of the climate control panel, and the top
center of the instrument panel should be kept free of
debris due to the climate control sensor’s location.
Mud on the windshield may also cause poor operation
of this system.
•To provide you with maximum comfort in the auto-
matic mode, during cold start-ups the blower fan will
remain off until the engine warms up. However, the
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fan will engage immediately if the defrost mode is
selected or if you manually select a blower speed.
•Under certain conditions (after the vehicle is turned
off) the climate control system may recalibrate and a
noise may be heard for 20 seconds. This is part of
normal operation.
•Most of the time, when in Automatic operation, you
can temporarily put the system into recirculation
mode by pressing the Recirc button. However, under
certain conditions in automatic the system is blowing
air out of the defrost vents. When these conditions are
present and the Recirc button is pressed the indicator
will flash and remain off. This tells you that you are
unable to go into recirculation mode at this time. If you
would like to go to Recirculation mode, you must firstmove your mode knob to panel, panel/floor or floor,
then hit the recirc button. This feature will reduce the
possibility of window fogging.
Manual Operation
This system offers a full complement of manual override
features which consist of Blower Preferred Automatic,
Mode Preferred Automatic, or Blower and Mode Pre-
ferred Automatic. This means the customer can override
the blower, the mode, or both. There is a manual blower
range used when the AUTO setting is not desired. The
left control can be set to any fixed blower speed by
rotating the knob.
NOTE:Please read the Automatic Temperature Control
Operation Chart below for details.
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The operator can override the AUTO mode setting and
select the direction of the air by rotating the right mode
knob to one of the following positions.
•Defrost
Air is directed to the windshield through the
outlets at the base of the windshield. Air is also
directed to the front door windows through the side
window demister grilles.
•Defrost/Floor
Air flows through the front and rear floor outlets
and the outlets at the base of the windshield. Air
is also directed to the front door windows
through the side window demister grilles.
•Floor
Air flows through the floor outlets located under
the instrument panel and into the rear seating
area through vents under the front seats.
•Bi-Level
Air flows both through the outlets located in the
instrument panel and those located on the floor.
Air flows through the registers in the back of the
center console to the rear seat passengers. These
registers can be closed to block airflow.
•Panel
Air flows through the outlets located in the in-
strument panel. Air flows through the registers in
the back of the center console to the rear seat passen-
gers. These registers can be closed to block airflow.
Depress this button to turn on and off the air
conditioning during manual operation only. Con-
ditioned outside air is then directed through the
outlets selected on the mode control dial. The button
includes an LED that illuminates when manual operation
is selected.
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NOTE:To manually control the air conditioning the
mode selector must be moved out of the AUTO position.
Press this button to turn on the rear window
defroster and the heated side mirrors (if
equipped). An LED in the button will illuminate indicat-
ing that the rear window defroster is ON. The defroster
automatically turns off after approximately 10 minutes of
operation for the first push of the button, and will turn
off after approximately 5 minutes for the second push of
the button.CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
This button can be used to block out smoke,
odors, dust, high humidity, or if rapid cooling
is desired. The recirculation mode should only
be used temporarily. The button includes an
LED that illuminates, which indicates that the recircula-
tion mode is active. You may use this feature separately.
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NOTE:Extended use of recirculation may cause the
windows to fog. If the interior of the windows begins to
fog, press the “Recirculate” icon button to return to
outside air. Some temp./humidity conditions will cause
captured interior air to condense on windows and ham-
per visibility. For this reason, the system will not allow
“Recirculate” to be selected while in the defrost or
defrost/floor modes. Attempting to use the recirculation
while in these modes will cause the LED in the button to
blink and then turn off.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual
for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
NOTE:Refer to the “Operating Tips” chart (for Manual
A/C Control) in this section for suggested control set-
tings in different weather conditions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
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