Fuel Requirements
Your vehicle will operate on both unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87, or E-85 fuel, or any mixture of
these two.
For best results, a refueling pattern that alternates be-
tween E-85 and unleaded gasoline should be avoided.
When you do switch fuels, it is recommended that
•you do not switch when the fuel gauge indicates less
than 1/4 full
•you do not add less than 5 gallons when refueling
•you operate the vehicle immediately after refueling for
a period of at least 5 minutes
Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in drivability
during warm up.
NOTE:When the ambient temperature is above 90°F,
you may experience hard starting and rough idle follow-
ing start up even if the above recommendations are
followed.
Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) and Gasoline Vehicles
Whether operating the vehicle on an E-85 ethanol fuel or
unleaded gasoline the engine oil requirements are the
same. Refer to “Engine Oil Selection in the “Maintenance
Procedures” section of this manual for the proper quality
and viscosity engine oil.
Starting
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for use
when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F. In the range
of 0°F to 32°F, you may experience an increase in the time
it takes for your engine to start, and a deterioration in
drivability (sags and/or hesitations) until the engine is
fully warmed up.
Cruising Range
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gallon than
gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel con-
sumption. You can expect your MPG and your driving
range to decrease by about 30% compared to gasoline
operation.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING
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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle in Park
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H”, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 199
6
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
•Day and night temperatures are below 32° F (0° C)
•Stop and Go driving
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C)
•Trailer towing
•Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service)
•Off— road or desert operation
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 219
7
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 5W-20 and SAE 5W-30 engine oils are recom-
mended for all operating temperatures. These engine
oils are designed to improve low temperature starting
and vehicle fuel economy. Refer to the engine oil filler
cap for the preferred engine oil viscosity grade for each
vehicle.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided that the
recommended oil quality requirements are met and the
recommended maintenance intervals for oil and filter
changes are followed.
Materials Added To Engine Oils
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and it’s
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil and Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil from
your vehicle. Used oil, indiscriminately discarded, can
present a problem to the environment. Contact your
dealer, service station, or governmental agency for advice
on how and where used oil can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced at every engine
oil change.
Engine Oil Fill Cap
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 221
7
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system;
or if exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle; or
when the underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged;
have a competent mechanic inspect the complete exhaust
system and adjacent body areas for broken, damaged,
deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or
loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the
exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubri-
cation or oil change. Replace as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing CO, fol-
low the preceding safety tips.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is controlled
by both the temperature of the engine cooling
system and the pressure in the air conditioning
system and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant
or steam from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, don’t open
the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator is hot.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 231
7
SCHEDULE “B”
Follow schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with an.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32° F (0° C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial ser-
vices).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:IFANYof these apply to you then flush and
replace the engine coolant every 100,000 miles (160,000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow
schedule B of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
SCHEDULE “B” 263
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
Latches
Hood............................61,228
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 178
Leaks, Fluid............................ 47
Life of Tires........................... 173
Lights..............................47,62
Airbag........................36,38,47,89
Anti-Lock............................ 91
Automatic Headlights................... 65
Brake Warning.....................92,153
Bulb Replacement..................248,249
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator)....... 89
Daytime Running...................... 66
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............64,66
Engine Temperature Warning............. 91
Exterior Check........................ 47
Fog ...........................66,90,252
Front Replacement.................... 252
Headlight Switch...................... 65
Headlights........................... 65
High Beam........................... 66
High Beam Indicator................... 89
Illuminated Entry...................... 13Instrument Cluster..................... 65
Interior.............................. 62
License............................. 254
Lights On Reminder.................... 66
Low Fuel............................ 93
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)....... 89
Map Reading......................... 64
Oil Pressure.......................... 92
Park............................... 251
Rear Servicing....................253,254
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 93
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............. 22
Service..........................248,249
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . 89
Side Marker......................... 251
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............. 93
Traction Control...................... 158
Turn Signal...................64,66,89,251
Voltage.............................. 89
Load Limits........................... 185
Loading Vehicle
Capacities........................... 185
Tires ............................163,185
INDEX 293
10
Rear Folding......................... 60
Reclining............................ 57
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............... 21
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........232,256
Sentry Key (Immobilizer)................. 9,11
Service Assistance...................... 278
Service Contract........................ 280
Service Engine Soon Light
(Malfunction Indicator)................... 89
Service Manuals........................ 281
Setting the Clock........................ 97
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 29
Side Airbag............................ 37
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters)......133,138
Signals, Turn........................... 89
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 208
Snow Tires............................ 175
Spare Tire.........................170,171
Spark Plugs........................... 222
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........70,88
Speedometer........................... 89
Starting.............................. 146
Cold Weather........................ 147Engine Fails to Start................... 148
Starting and Operating................... 146
Steering
Power...........................157,227
Tilt Column.......................... 68
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................ 125
Storage.............................. 248
Storage, Vehicle........................ 248
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 248
Stuck, Freeing......................... 209
Sun Roof.............................. 78
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 32
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 221
System, Navigation..................... 118
Tachometer............................ 89
Tape Player........................... 126
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)....... 129
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......91,199
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 21
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 21
Tilt Steering Column..................... 68
INDEX 297
10