Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
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 61
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Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound to alert the driver
when the driver’s door is opened.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for 90 seconds (programmable) when leaving your ve-
hicle in an unlighted area.
To activate the delay feature, turn off the ignition switch
while the headlights are still on. Then turn off the
headlights within 45 seconds. The delay interval begins
when headlight switch is turned off. If the headlights or
park lights are turned back on or the ignition switch is
turned on, the delay will be cancelled.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will turn off in the normal manner.
NOTE:The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds
of turning the ignition off to activate this feature
The Headlight delay time is programmable on vehicles
equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center(EVIC). Refer to“Delay Turning Headlights Off”in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center section for details.
Fog Lights—If Equipped
The front fog light switch is on the headlight
switch below the dimmer control. To activate the
front fog lights, turn on the parking lights or the
low beam headlights and press the fog light switch.
NOTE:The fog lights will operate with the low beam
headlights, or parking lights on. However, selecting the
high beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the Multi-Function Lever up or down and the
arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to
show proper operation of the front and rear turn signal
lights. You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
Releasing the lever at the detent will provide 3 flashes.
If either light has a very fast flash rate, check for a
defective outside light bulb. If an indicator fails to light
when the lever is moved, it would suggest that the fuse
or indicator is defective or there may be a circuit failure.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Electronic Speed Control Indicator Light — If
Equipped
This light will illuminate when the electronic
speed control is ON.
2. Low Fuel Indicator Light
When the fuel level drops to 1/8 tank, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
3. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
This light shows the front fog lights are ON.
(See page 105 for more information.)
4. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about one mile with the turn signals on, a chime
will sound to alert you to turn the signals off. If either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a defective
outside light bulb. (See page 105 for more information.)
5. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
6. Electronic Vehicle Information Center Display
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display shows
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) messages.
(See page 150 for more information.) (only on vehicles
equipped with steering wheel mounted switches).
NOTE:On non-EVIC equipped vehicles the odometer
is located here.
7. Tachometer
The red segments indicate the maximum permissible
engine revolutions-per-minute (r.p.m. x 1000) for each
gear range. Before reaching the red area, ease up on the
accelerator.
8. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light illuminates, and will be accompanied
by a single chime to warn of an overheated
engine condition. The engine temperature is
critically hot, and the vehicle should be turned off
immediately. The vehicle should be serviced as soon
as possible.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 143
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▫Body Lubrication.....................309
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................310
▫Windshield Washers/Headlight Washers—
If Equipped.........................310
▫Exhaust System......................311
▫Cooling System.......................312
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......316
▫Brakes.............................317
▫Brake Fluid Level Check................318
▫Fuel System Hoses....................319
▫Automatic Transmission................319
▫All Wheel Drive (AWD)—If Equipped.....320
▫Front And Rear Wheel Bearings...........321
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................321
▫Cleaning The Center Console Cup Holders—
300 Models..........................324▫Cleaning The Center Console Cup Holders—
300C And 300 Touring Models............325
Power Distribution Centers...............325
▫Front Power Distribution Center...........325
▫Rear Power Distribution Center...........328
Vehicle Storage........................332
Replacement Light Bulbs................332
Bulb Replacement......................334
▫Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
Park/Turn Light, Inner Park Light, And Outer
Park Light–300 Models................334
▫Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
And Park/Turn Light–300C.............336
▫Backup Light, Side Marker Light, And Tail/Stop
Turn Light—300 Models...............338
▫Tail/Stop, Tail, Turn Signal Light, And Backup
Light—300C Models..................340
▫License Light........................343
290 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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LIGHT BULBS—
Exterior (300C Models) Bulb Number
Low Beam Headlight (Standard Halogen).....9006XS
Low Beam Headlight–High Intensity Discharge
(HID).................. D1S(Serviced at Dealer)
High Beam Headlight.....................9005
Front Park/Turn Light..................3157AK
Front Fog Light........9145/H10 (Serviced at Dealer)
Front Sidemarker......... W5W(Serviced at Dealer)
Tail/Stop Light.........................3057
Tail Light.............................3057
Turn Signal Light........................3057
Backup Light...........................3057
Center High Mount Stop Light (CHMSL)....... LED
License.............................. W5WBULB REPLACEMENT
Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
Park/Turn Light, Inner Park Light, and Outer Park
Light–300 Models
•
Open the hood.
•Twist the appropriate bulb socket assembly counter-
clockwise and pull out. Pull the bulb out of the socket
assembly.
NOTE:Removal of the air cleaner filter housing may be
necessary prior to replacing bulbs on the headlight
assembly on the driver side of the vehicle.
•Replace the bulb and push into socket assembly.
Reinstall the socket assembly, and turn clockwise.
334 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 32
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)..... 56
Latch Plate............................ 33
Latches
Hood............................... 99
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 253
Life of Tires........................... 249
Lights.............................61,100
Airbag.......................44,51,61,144
Anti-Lock........................... 144
Automatic Headlights.................. 103
Brake Warning....................... 144
Bulb Replacement..................... 333
Courtesy/Reading.................... 100
Daytime Running..................... 104
Dimmer Switch, Headlight...........102,106
Engine Temperature Warning............ 143
Fog .............................105,143
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 274
Headlight Switch..................... 103
Headlights.......................103,336
Headlights On With Wipers..........103,108High Beam.......................... 106
High Beam Indicator................... 147
Illuminated Entry...................... 15
Instrument Cluster.................... 103
Interior............................. 101
License............................. 344
Lights On Reminder................... 105
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)...... 149
Oil Pressure......................... 149
Reading............................ 122
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 147
Service..........................333,334
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator)................. 149
SmartBeams......................... 104
Turn Signal.......................102,105
Voltage............................. 149
Load Leveling System................... 136
Loading Vehicle.....................260,261
Capacities........................... 261
Tires ............................... 239
Locks
Door............................... 15
380 INDEX
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