2. Remove and replace the batteries. Avoid touching the
new batteries with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch the battery, clean it
with rubbing alcohol.
3. Reassemble the transmitter case. Snap the halves
together and test transmitter operation.
VEHICLE THEFT ALARM
The system monitors the doors, trunk, and ignition for
unauthorized operation.
If something triggers the alarm, the system will signal for
up to 18 minutes. For the first three minutes the horn will
sound and the headlights and interior lights will flash.
Then the horn will stop and if the source of the trigger is
still present, the lights will continue to flash for another
15 minutes.
NOTE:The engine will not start until you disarm the
system.
To set the alarm:
1. Remove the keys from the ignition switch and get out
of the vehicle.2. Lock the door using either the power door lock switch,
the key, or the Keyless Entry Transmitter and close all
doors.
3. The light in the instrument cluster will flash rapidly
for 15 seconds. This shows that the system is arming. If
the light comes on but does not flash, the system is still
armed, but there is a problem in the trunk circuit. After 15
seconds the light will continue to flash slowly. This
shows that the system is fully armed.
To disarm the system:
Unlock a front door using either the key or the Keyless
Entry Transmitter.
Tamper Alert
If the horn sounds 3 times when you unlock a front door
using either a key or the Keyless Entry Transmitter, the
alarm had been triggered. Check the vehicle for tampering.
Security System Manual Override
The system will not arm if you lock the doors using the
manual lock control.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
2
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
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 and
battery blanket heater package (available from your
dealer) is recommended.
Ignition Key Positions
STARTING AND OPERATING 147
5
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“NORMAL STARTING” or “EXTREME COLD
WEATHER” procedures, 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.
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 “EX-
TREME COLD WEATHER” procedure should be re-
peated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up. At cooler ambient temperatures, the idle
speed for the 2.7L engine may increase during extended
idles for improved heater performance.
BATTERY AND ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS — 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 near the air cleaner
housing.
148 STARTING AND OPERATING
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on top of the steering column,
just behind the steering wheel. Depress the switch
and both cluster indicators and all front and rear direc-
tional signals will flash. Depress the switch again to turn
Hazard Warning Flashers off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may wear down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
Hazard Flasher Switch
198 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key actuated test
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD system is ready, you must do
the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see your MIL symbol come on as part of a normal
bulb check.
5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn off
the ignition key or start the engine. This means that
your vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you
shouldnotproceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or
start the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD
system isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M
station.
216 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Autostick............................. 176
Auxiliary Power Outlet................... 79
Ball Joints............................ 228
Battery............................... 225
Emergency Starting.................... 204
Gas Caution......................206,225
Heater............................. 148
Jump Starting........................ 204
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 18
Location.........................204,225
Belts, Drive........................... 222
Belts, Engine.......................... 224
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 228
Boot, Convertible Top.................... 50
B-Pillar Location....................... 163
Brake, Parking......................... 153
Brake System.......................155,236
Anti-Lock (ABS)...................... 155
Fluid Check......................... 238
Hoses.............................. 237
Master Cylinder...................... 238
Warning Light........................ 93Brake/Transmission Interlock...........149,151
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 42
Bulb Replacement...................... 251
Bulbs, Light........................... 251
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 257
Capacities, Fluid....................... 257
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 185
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 183
Oil (Engine)......................... 221
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 234
Car Washes........................... 242
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 180
Carpeting............................. 243
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 128
Cassette Tape Player...............100,109,112
Catalytic Converter..................... 223
CD (Compact Disc) Changer......108,113,118,120
CD (Compact Disc) Player.......105,114,116,127
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 255
Central Locking......................... 14
Chains, Tire........................... 175
INDEX 289
10
General Information................... 167
High Speed......................... 169
Inflation Pressures.................... 168
Jacking............................. 200
Life of Tires......................... 173
Load Capacity....................163,164
Quality Grading...................... 284
Radial............................. 170
Replacement......................... 173
Rotation............................ 175
Safety...........................158,167
Sizes............................... 160
Snow Tires.......................... 175
Spinning............................ 171
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 172
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight............. 189
Top Cover............................. 50
Towing.........................185,208,209
Disabled Vehicle...................... 208
Guide.............................. 188
Weight............................. 188
Traction Control....................71,89,157
Traction Control Switch................71,157Trailer Towing......................... 185
Cooling System Tips................... 195
Hitches............................. 187
Minimum Requirements................ 190
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 189
Wiring............................. 193
Trailer Towing Guide.................... 188
Trailer Weight......................... 188
Transaxle............................. 239
Additives........................... 241
Automatic.....................149,151,239
Autostick........................... 176
Filter.............................. 240
Overdrive........................... 152
Selection of Lubricant.................. 239
Transmission
Range Indicator....................... 92
Transmission....................See Transaxle
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry)................... 18
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink).75
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)...... 15
Transporting Pets........................ 42
300 INDEX