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•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Steering Wheel And Column
•Instrument Panel
•Crash Sensor
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolsters
How The Airbag System Works
•
TheAirbag Control Module (ACM)determines if a
frontal collision is severe enough to require the airbags
to inflate.
•The ACM will not detect side, roll over, or rear
impacts.
•The ACM also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON position. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee bolster, the instru-
ment panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the
ignition key is in the OFF or ACC position, or not in
the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
•Also, the ACM turns on the “Airbag Warning Light” in
the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the
ignition is first turned on, then turns the light off. If it
detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns
on the light either momentarily or continuously. If the
ACM detects a malfunction, the “Airbag Warning
Light” will illuminate for a minimum of 12 seconds
and will remain illuminated as long as the malfunction
exists.
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Console Storage Compartment — If Equipped
To unlock, insert key and turn. To open, press the latch
button.
Add-A-Trunk™ — If Equipped
The factory-installed Add-A-Trunk™ option provides a
secured compartment for parcels or equipment when the
tailgate is closed and locked. To gain access to this
compartment, simply open the tailgate and release the
spring loaded latch pins. The cover of the Add-A-
Trunk™ can then be raised.
When the Add-A-Trunk™ is not desired, it can be easily
removed from the rear compartment. Remove the four
knobs that secure the “trunk” to the body. Lift the
Add-A-Trunk™ out and place the knobs in the molded-in
storage area. Storage space is also provided for the wheel
lock, and lock key tool.
Do not leave the Add-A-Trunk™ loose in your vehicle.
Remove it and store it in a safe place.
Center Console
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
Your vehicle is equipped with the instrument cluster
described on the following pages.
1. Voltmeter
Indicates available battery voltage and charging
system operation. The lower red zone indicates
that battery charge may be too low to start the engine.
With the engine running, the normal operating range is
between 11 and 15 volts. Prolonged gauge readings
between 8-11 (undercharge) or above 15 (overcharge)
indicate possible malfunction of generator, voltage regu-
lator or battery. See your dealer if such indications occur.
2. Front Fog Light Indicator Light — If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are on.
3. Cruise Indicator Light
This light shows when the electronic speed
control system is turned on.4. Sentry Key Indicator Light — If Equipped
Refer to “Sentry Key Immobilizer System” in
Section 2 of this manual.
5. Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute
(RPM).
CAUTION!
Do not operate the engine with the tachometer
pointer in the red area. Engine damage will occur.
6. Turn Signal Indicator Lights
The arrows will flash with the exterior turn signals
when the turn signal lever is operated. A tone will
chime if the turn signals are left on for more than 1 mile
(2 km).
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13. Oil Pressure Gauge
Indicates engine oil pressure. This gauge does not
indicate oil level, and pressure varies with engine
speed, temperature and oil viscosity. Consistent lower
readings indicate possible malfunction. Seek authorized
service.
14. Coolant Temperature Gauge
Indicates engine coolant temperature. The red
zone to the far right indicates possible overheat-
ing. Seek authorized service immediately if the
gauge operates in the red zone. In U.S. vehicles, tempera-
ture is indicated in degrees fahrenheit; in Canadian
vehicles in degrees centigrade.
15. Airbag Warning Light
This indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8
seconds when the ignition is first turned on. If
the light does not come on for 6 to 8 seconds,stays on or comes on while driving, have the airbag
system checked by an authorized dealer.
16. Check Gauges Warning Light
This light monitors the engine coolant tem-
perature, engine oil pressure, and voltage
gauges. If it detects an extreme condition a
chime will sound and the light will come on. If the light
comes on, check the operation of these gauges for a
malfunction condition.
17. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic
System called OBD II that monitors engine, and
automatic transmission control systems. The light
will illuminate when the ignition is in the ON position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the key from OFF to ON, have the condition
checked promptly.
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the gearshift control lever
in N (Neutral) and depress the clutch pedal before
starting vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch
interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless the
clutch pedal is pressed to the floor.
WARNING!
You or others around you could be injured if you
attempt to start the engine with a manual transmis-
sion in gear — your vehicle will move. Remember,
always push the clutch pedal in fully and shift into
N (Neutral) before attempting to start the engine.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the selector lever in the N (Neutral)
or P (Park) position. Apply the brake before shifting to
any driving range.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
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Page 179 of 352
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait 5
seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure.Extreme Cold Weather (below –20°F or –29°C)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
Ignition Key Positions
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If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold
Weather” procedures should be repeated.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord. The engine block
heater cord is found under the hood clipped to the tie rod
between the radiator grille and the dash panel.
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WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
•When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
•When engaged in P (Park), you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the shift
lever button.
186 STARTING AND OPERATING