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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.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 101 of 344

ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The yellow ESP/TCS Indicator Light located in
the instrument cluster comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.
The light should go out with the engine run-
ning, unless the system has been turned off. The ESP/
TCS Indicator Light starts to flash as soon as the tires lose
traction and the ESP system becomes active. The ESP/
TCS Indicator Light also flashes when TCS is active. If the
ESP/TCS Indicator Light begins to flash during accelera-
tion, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle
as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to
the prevailing road conditions.WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded. ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, or hydroplaning.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents. The capabilities of an ESP-equipped ve-
hicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 3 available operating modes:
ESP On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP. Whenever
the vehicle is started, the ESP system will be in this
mode. This mode should be used for most all driving
situations. ESP should only be turned off for specific
reasons as noted in the following paragraphs.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 101
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22. Tire Pressure Monitor Warning Light — If
Equipped
This light will turn on continuously when
there is a Low tire pressure condition. The
light will also turn on if a problem exist with
any tire sensor. When a system fault is
detected, the indicator lamp will flash repetitively for
ten seconds. The flash cycle will repeat every ten
minutes or until the fault condition is removed and
reset. The light will remain on or flashing until the tire
pressure is properly set or the problem with the sensor
is corrected.
This light will turn on momentarily as a bulb check when
the engine is started.
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the Tire and Loading Information Placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, andmay affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard.
23. Anti-Lock Brake Light — If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System.
The light will turn on when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position and may stay on for as
long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 139
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................190
▫Normal Starting......................190
Transmission Shifting...................192
▫5 Speed Automatic Transmission..........192
▫Automatic Transmission —
General Information...................197
AutoStick............................199
▫AutoStick Operation...................199
▫AutoStick General Information............200
Parking Brake.........................201
Brake System.........................202
▫Anti-Lock Brake System................202
Power Steering........................205
Tire Safety Information..................206
▫Tire Markings........................206
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........210
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........211
Tires—General Information...............215
▫Tire Pressure.........................215
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................216
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................218
▫Tire Spinning........................218
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................219
5
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▫Life Of Tire.........................219
▫Replacement Tires.....................220
▫Alignment And Balance.................221
Tire Pressure Monitor System —
If Equipped
..........................221
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring — Base System.....221
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring —
Premium System......................223
▫General Information...................225
Tire Chains...........................226
Snow Tires...........................227
Tire Rotation Recommendations...........227
▫Tire Rotation — Standard Tires............227
▫Tire Rotation — All Season Tires..........228
▫Tire Rotation — General Information.......228
Ground Clearance.....................229
Fuel Requirements.....................229
▫Spark Knock.........................229
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................230
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............230
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................230
▫Materials Added To Fuel................231
▫Fuel System Cautions..................231
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............232
Adding Fuel..........................233
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............233
Vehicle Loading.......................235
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............235
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......235
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........235
▫Overloading.........................236
▫Loading............................236
188 STARTING AND OPERATING
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The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) prevents the
rear wheels from over-braking and provides greater
control of available braking forces applied to the rear
axle.
WARNING!
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
STARTING AND OPERATING 203
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WARNING!
The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason, the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and does not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
STARTING AND OPERATING 205
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WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolong operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•
P(Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
206 STARTING AND OPERATING