•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
•If the shoulder belt contacts the child’s face or neck,
move the child closer to the center of the vehicle.
Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt under an
arm or behind their back.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7 of this manual. NON-DETERGENT
OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE
USED.
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
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)
follow the safety tips below.
•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside ve-
hicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn into
the vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
2
•On hardtop models, keep the tailgate window closed
when driving your vehicle. On fabric top models, do
not drive with the rear window curtain up unless the
side curtains are also open. This will prevent carbon
monoxide and other poisonous exhaust gases from
entering the vehicle.
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.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a indicator check when the ignition switch is
first turned on. If the indicator is not lit during starting,
have it serviced. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Sales Code RBQ—AM/FM Stereo Radio With 6 -
Disc CD Changer .......................160
▫ Radio Operation ......................160
▫ CD Player Operation ...................163
Satellite Radio — If Equipped ..............167
▫ System Activation .....................168
▫ Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ENS/SID) ....................168
▫ Selecting Satellite Mode In RBB, RAH And
RBK Radios .........................169
▫ Selecting Satellite Mode In RBP, RBU, RAZ,
RB1 And RBQ Radios ..................169
▫ Selecting a Channel ....................169
▫ Storing And Selecting Pre-Set Channels ......170 ▫
Using The PTY (Program Type) Button
(If Equipped) ........................170
▫ PTY Button Scan.....................170
▫ PTY Button Seek.....................170
▫ Satellite Antenna ......................171
▫ Reception Quality .....................171
CD/DVD Disc Maintenance ...............171
Radio Operation And Cellular Phones ........172
Climate Controls .......................172
▫ Heater Only — If Equipped ..............172
▫ Air Conditioning — If Equipped ..........174
▫ Operating Tips .......................177
144 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
13. Oil Pressure Gauge Indicates engine oil pressure. This gauge does not
indicate oil level, and pressure varies with engine
speed, temperature and oil viscosity. Consistent lower
readings indicate possible malfunction. Seek authorized
service.
14. Coolant Temperature Gauge Indicates engine coolant temperature. The red
zone to the far right indicates possible overheat-
ing. Seek authorized service immediately if the
gauge operates in the red zone. In U.S. vehicles, tempera-
ture is indicated in degrees fahrenheit; in Canadian
vehicles in degrees centigrade.
15. Airbag Warning Light This indicator lights and remains lit for 6 to 8
seconds when the ignition is first turned on. If
the light does not come on for 6 to 8 seconds, stays on or comes on while driving, have the airbag
system checked by an authorized dealer.
16. Check Gauges Warning Light
This light monitors the engine coolant tem-
perature, engine oil pressure, and voltage
gauges. If it detects an extreme condition a
chime will sound and the light will come on. If the light
comes on, check the operation of these gauges for a
malfunction condition.
17. Malfunction Indicator Light This light is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic
System called OBD II that monitors engine, and
automatic transmission control systems. The light
will illuminate when the ignition is in the ON position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the key from OFF to ON, have the condition
checked promptly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 149
4
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor quality fuel, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several typical driving styles. In most
situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
When the engine is running, the “Malfunction Indicator
Light” may flash to alert serious conditions that could
lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs. (See page 268 for more
information.)
18. Trip Odometer Button
Press and release this button to toggle between the
odometer and trip odometer displays. This button is also
used to reset the trip odometer to 0. While the display is
showing the trip odometer, press and hold the button for
approximately 2 seconds and the display will reset to 0. 19. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
The odometer will “illuminate” when the driver’s door
has been opened, and will remain on for 20 seconds after
exiting the vehicle.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so the correct mileage can be
determined.
The trip odometer shows individual mileage up to 999.9
miles (1 600 km). To switch from odometer to trip
odometer, press the trip odometer button.
150 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
Under certain conditions, the cellular phone being On in
your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy performance from
your radio. This condition may be lessened or eliminated
by relocating the cellular phone antenna. This condition
is not harmful to the radio. If your radio performance
does not satisfactorily “clear” by the repositioning of the
antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be
turned down or off during cellular phone operation.
CLIMATE CONTROLS
The controls for the heating and ventilation system in this
vehicle consist of three rotary control knobs.
NOTE: For the HVAC to operate efficiently and reduce
the possibility of fog build up on the interior of the
windows, the air exhausters should be kept clear at all
times. The air exhausters are the slots located on the rear
tailgate.
Heater Only — If Equipped
In snowy weather, always clear the air inlet grille at the
base of the windshield before driving your vehicle.
Manual Heater Control
172 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Bi-Level Outside air comes from both instrument panel and
floor outlets. Also, a slight amount of airflow may
be noticed at the defrost outlet located at the base of the
windshield.
Floor Outside air comes from the floor outlets. Also, a
slight amount of airflow may be noticed at the
defrost outlet located at the base of the windshield.
Mix Outside air comes from the floor and defrost outlets
with air being directed through the demisters. This
mode works best in cold or snowy conditions. It
allows you to stay comfortable while keeping the wind-
shield clear. Defrost
Outside air comes from the windshield outlets
with a slight amount of air being directed through
the floor and demisters. Use this setting when necessary
to defrost or defog your windshield.
Air Conditioning — If Equipped
Blower Switch
The blower switch is the rotary knob to the left of the
controls. Turn the knob to the right to one of the four
positions to obtain the blower speed you desire.
NOTE: The blower motor will run until the mode
selector knob is turned to the “Off” (“O”) position or the
ignition is turned OFF.
Temperature Control
The temperature control is the center knob located on the
climate controls. It controls the temperature of the air
delivered to the passenger compartment.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL