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Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when
you are not using cruise, you might hit a
button and go into cruise when you do
not want to. You could be startled and
even lose control. Keep the cruise control
switch off until you want to use cruise
control.
The cruise control pad
is located on the right
side of the steering
wheel.1. Press the ON-OFF button (A) to turn cruise
control on.
2. Accelerate to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET button and release it. The
cruise control light will come on in the
instrument panel cluster to show that the
cruise control is on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerate pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake pedal, or
the clutch pedal if you have a manual transaxle.
This, of course, shuts off the cruise control.
But you do not need to reset it. Once you are
going about 24 mph (39 km/h) or more, you can
briefly press the RESUME button.
You will go right back up to your chosen speed
and stay there.
If you hold in the RESUME button longer, the
vehicle will keep going faster until you release the
button or apply the brake pedal. So unless you
want to go faster, do not hold in the RESUME
button.
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Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog lamps, use them for better
visibility in foggy or misty conditions. The band
located on the middle of the turn signal/
multifunction lever controls the fog lamps.
While using the fog lamps, the ignition must be
turned to ON and the low-beam headlamps
or parking lamps must be on.
Turn the band to ON to turn the fog lamps on. An
indicator light will come on in the secondary
information center on the hatchback or in the
instrument panel cluster on the sedan, when the
fog lamps are on. SeeFog Lamp Light on
page 185.
Turn the band to OFF to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will also turn off when the
high-beam headlamps are turned on. When the
high-beam headlamps are turned off, the fog lamps
will turn on again.
Some localities have laws that require the
headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
This feature controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering
column. Turn the thumbwheel to brighten or dim
the lights.
HatchbackSedan
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Page 186 of 436

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 220. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. Here are some ways in which you can
help avoid distraction while driving.
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While your vehicle is parked:
•Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
•Familiarize yourself with its operation.
•Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment
to your vehicle, such as an audio system,
CD player, CB radio, mobile telephone,
or two-way radio, make sure that it can be
added by checking with your dealer/retailer.
Also, check federal rules covering mobile radio
and telephone units. If sound equipment can
be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment can interfere with
the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio,
or other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems can interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has
been added.
AM-FM Radio (Single Display,
Base Level)
Playing the Radio
O
(Power):Press this knob to turn the system
on or off.
u(Volume):Turn this knob to increase or to
decrease the volume. VOL will appear on the
display.
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Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this feature, some audio
controls can be adjusted at the steering wheel.
They include the following:
PWR (Power):Press and release this button to
turn the audio system on. Press and hold this
button for more than two seconds to turn the
system off.
When the system is on, press and release this
button to mute the system. Press and release
this button again to turn the sound back on.SEEK:Press and release this button within
0.5 seconds to go to the next preset station.
Press and hold this button for longer than
0.5 seconds to go to the next radio station.
The radio seeks stations only with a strong signal
that are in the selected band.
When playing a CD, press and release this button
within 0.5 seconds to go to the next track. Press
and hold this button for longer than 0.5 seconds to
fast forward through the tracks.
MODE:Press and release this button to select
FM1, FM2, FM-A, AM1, AM2, AM-A, or CD (MP3).
Press and release this button multiple times to
cycle through the audio playback options that are
available on your vehicle.
+ VOLUME−:Press the toggle bar located
below the + VOLUME−to adjust the volume.
Press the left side of the toggle bar, below the
+ (plus) sign to increase the volume. Press the
right side of the toggle bar, below the−(minus)
sign to decrease the volume.
Front View of the
Steering Wheel ControlsSide View of the Volume
Control
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Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or
always decrease stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not have
time to apply the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You might feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS, your
first reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down — might be the wrong thing to
do. Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do,
the vehicle cannot respond to your steering.Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was
headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That
could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze
the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you
hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake
pedal. This will help you retain steering control. If
you do have ABS, it is different. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System (ABS) on page 225.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the one
factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both
control systems — steering and braking — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand too much of
those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering
through a sharp curve and you suddenly
accelerate. Those two control systems — steering
and acceleration — can overwhelm those
places where the tires meet the road and make
you lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
the front wheels are straight ahead.
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