The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine
cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It
can increase engine idle speed to generate more
power, whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of some accessories.Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action, this action may
be noticeable to the driver. If so, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or Service
Battery Charging System. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 264.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle’s
battery against drainage from the interior
lamps, trunk lamp, glove box lamp, or the garage
door opener. When the ignition is turned off,
the power to these features will automatically turn
off after 10 minutes (three minutes if a new car
has 15 miles (24 km) or less). Power will be
restored for an additional 10 minutes if any door is
opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy
lamp switch is turned on.
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Certain accessory power plugs may not be
compatible to the accessory power outlet and
could result in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If
you experience a problem, see your dealer
for additional information on the accessory
power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to
your vehicle may damage it or keep other
components from working as they should. The
repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not use equipment exceeding
maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your dealer before adding electrical
equipment.
Follow the proper installation instructions that are
included with any electrical equipment you install.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug because the
power outlets are designed for accessory
power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and
cigarette lighter.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other
ammable items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes
or other smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage your vehicle. Never
put ammable items in the ashtray.
Ashtray
The ashtray is located under the climate control
panel on the center console. Press on the door to
release the ashtray. The ashtray will automatically
slide open for use.
To empty the ashtray with the ashtray in full open
position, locate the release button to the right
of the ash receiver and slide it to the right (in the
direction of the arrow). The ash receiver will
unlock and lift slightly and can then be easily
removed from the housing. To replace the
ash receiver, place it into position in the ashtray
housing and push down rmly until it locks
into place.
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Cigarette Lighter
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating will not allow the lighter to back
away from the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating may occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in
while it is heating. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating of
15 amperes.
The cigarette lighter is located next to the ashtray.
The vehicle does not have any cigarette lighters
for the rear seat passengers.
To activate the cigarette lighter, push it into the
heating element and let go. When the lighter
is ready it will pop back out by itself.
Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle.
Automatic Operation
Vehicles With Heated and Ventilated Seats Shown,
Vehicles Without Similar
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Manual Operation
yNz(Mode):Pressing the mode switch and
changing the mode cancels automatic operation
and allows the operator to manually select the air
delivery location. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation.
The outboard air outlets always receive air ow
regardless of the mode selected. SeeOutlet
Adjustment on page 237to change this air ow
from the outboard outlets.
To change the current mode, select one of the
following:
Y(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level):This mode directs about half of the
air to the instrument panel outlets, and then
directs most of the remaining air to the oor
outlets. In automatic operation, cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to the
oor outlets.
[(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the oor outlets with some air directed to the
outboard outlets, and a little air directed to
the windshield and side windows.The mode switch can also be used to select the
defog mode. Information on defogging and
defrosting can be found later in this section.
yAz(Fan):Press this switch to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Pressing this switch
cancels automatic operation and allows the
operator to manually select the amount of air ow.
Press AUTO to return to automatic operation.
If the air ow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter may need to be replaced. For more
information, seePassenger Compartment Air Filter
on page 239andScheduled Maintenance on
page 505.
h(Recirculation):Press this button to control
the air source for the climate control system. If
in AUTO mode, press this button once to
select recirculation. This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle and recirculates the air
in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside
air and odors from entering the vehicle or to
help cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly.
232
Recirculation is not available in the defrost mode
and shuts off when defog mode is selected.
Both of these features are designed to limit fogging
in the vehicle. If recirculation is selected during
defog mode, it automatically turns off after
10 minutes to limit problems with fogging.
In some conditions, using recirculation for long
periods of time can cause the air inside the vehicle
to become too dry or stuffy. To prevent this from
happening, after the air in the vehicle has
cooled, select AUTO to return to automatic climate
control operation or push the recirculation button
again to select outside air.
Press this button a second time to select
outside air.
:(Outside Air):This mode forces the system
to pull air from outside the vehicle. It can be
used to bring fresh air into the vehicle.
Air Quality Sensor:Your vehicle could have an
air quality sensor to help limit the climate
control system from pulling in some harmfulexhaust fumes from older, poorly running, or
diesel-equipped vehicles that are driving near you.
This sensor, when active, monitors the air
quality in front of your vehicle and switches to air
recirculation when poor quality air is detected
outside your vehicle. Press the AUTO button on
the climate control to activate the air quality
sensor. The word AUTO comes on the center of
the climate control display. While the air quality
sensor senses poor quality air, the recirculation
graphic displays.
Under some conditions, the air quality sensor
system does not operate. In cold weather, the
system might not be active (even if AUTO is
displayed) because of concerns of fogging your
windows, which may occur by activating
recirculation mode. Also, the air quality sensor
system does not remain in recirculation mode for
extended periods of time that could cause stuffy or
very dry conditions in the vehicle. Following a
poorly running vehicle for an extended period of
time may not keep recirculation active inde nitely.
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The air quality sensor does not activate due to
organic odors, like skunk, and may not activate on
many chemical-related odors. If you wish to limit
these types of odors, manually select recirculation.
Your vehicle could also have a charcoal lter that
can limit many odors from being pulled into your
vehicle. This lter, like your engines air cleaner
lter, needs to be changed periodically. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 505. The air
quality sensor system does not protect against
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. SeeEngine Exhaust on page 125.
O(Power Driver’s Temperature):Press the
power button located on the driver’s side of
the climate control panel to turn the entire climate
control system on or off. Turn the knob to
increase or decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.
O(Power Passenger’s Temperature):Press
the power button located on the passenger’s side
of the climate control panel to turn the passenger’s
climate control system on if they wish to have adifferent setting than the driver. Turn the knob to
increase or decrease the temperature for the
front passenger. Turning the passenger’s
side power button off will not shut off the climate
control system for the passenger. The system
is set to the same setting as the driver.
{(Ventilated Seat):Press this button, to turn on
the driver or passenger’s side ventilated seat, if
the vehicle has this feature. SeeHeated and
Ventilated Seats on page 11.
J(Heated Seat):Press this button, to turn on
the driver or passenger’s side heated seat
and seatback, if the vehicle has this feature. See
Heated and Ventilated Seats on page 11.
^(Air Conditioning):Press this button to
manually turn off the air conditioning compressor.
Press AUTO to return to automatic operation or
press the A/C OFF button again. To limit fogging on
the windshield, the air conditioning compressor
cannot be off while in the defrost mode.
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Sensors
There is a solar sensor located on the instrument
panel, near the windshield.
There is also an interior temperature sensor
located next to the steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
These sensors monitor the solar radiation and the
air inside the vehicle, then use the information
to adjust the temperature, the fan speed and the
air delivery system, in order to maintain theselected temperature. The system may also
supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing
the sun. Do not cover the sensors or the automatic
climate control system will not work properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate
control system is used properly. There are
two modes to clear fog from the windshield. Use
the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or
moisture and warm the passengers. Use the
defrost mode to remove fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly.
yNz(Mode):Press this button until defog
appears on the display.
-(Defog):This mode directs the air between
the windshield and oor outlets with some
air supplied to the outboard panel outlets and side
window defogging outlets. When this mode is
selected, the system turns off recirculation
and runs the air-conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
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