Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine
coolant heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have
an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord.
This will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater
when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as
noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment, near the power steering
uid reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord
will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact your dealer in the area where you will
be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the
best advice for that particular area.
2-22
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 5-30andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-27.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 5-22.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-42.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 5-36.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-42.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-38.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 5-109.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-41.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-37.
5-13
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 5-30andCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-27.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 5-22.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-15.
G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System
on page 5-30.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-42.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-42.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-36.
K. Brake Master Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-38.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 5-109.M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-41.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-37.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears on the
instrument cluster, it means you need to check
your engine oil level right away.
For more information, see CHECK OIL LEVEL under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-15