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 198.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery saver feature designed
to protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown protection system
will automatically turn the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery. This vehicle also
has a retained accessory power feature. If the radio
is on, it will turn off after 10 minutes or if any door
on the vehicle is opened. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 116.
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9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
fan speed. In any setting other than off, the fan will
run continuously with the ignition on. To turn off
the air completely, turn the fan to 0 and select the
recirculation button.
Use the right knob to select from the
following modes:
There is one position between each mode to nely
adjust air ow position.
H(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 the remaining air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air
to the oor outlets with some air directed to the
windshield and side windows.
The right knob may also be used to select the
defrost and defog modes that are described in
this section.You can also select modes by using the following
buttons:
;(Outside Air):Press this button to turn the
outside air mode on. When this mode is on,
outside air will circulate throughout the vehicle.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light
in the button will come on to let you know that
it is activated. The outside air mode can be used
with all modes, but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode.
@(Recirculation):Press this button on the
center knob to recirculate cabin air through
the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air
and odors from entering the vehicle or to help heat
or cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly.
An indicator light above the symbol will come on
in this mode. Operation in this mode during periods
of high humidity and cool outside temperatures
may result in increased window fogging. If window
fogging is experienced, select the defrost mode.
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#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air conditioning system on or off. When
this button is pressed, an indicator light on the
button will come on to let you know the air
conditioning is activated. The air conditioning can
be selected in any mode as long as the fan
switch is on.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside
air escape; then close them. This helps to reduce
the time it takes for the vehicle to cool down. It
also helps the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the
following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the outside air.
3. Select air conditioning.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
6. Once the vehicle’s interior temperature is
below the outside temperature, select
recirculation mode for enhanced cooling.Using these settings together for long periods
of time may cause the air inside of the vehicle to
become too dry. To prevent this from happening,
after the air inside of the vehicle has cooled,
turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture
from the air, so you may sometimes notice a small
amount of water dripping underneath the vehicle
while idling or after turning off the engine. This
is normal.
((Heated Seats):If your vehicle has heated
seats, seeHeated Seats on page 10.
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Defogging and Defrosting
Fog or frost 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. To avoid fogging
windows on rainy and humid days at temperatures
above freezing, turn on the air conditioning
system. Also, it is best to avoid the use of the
recirculation mode, except when maximum
A/C performance is needed or for short times to
avoid exterior odors.
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. When you select either of these
modes, or the oor mode which also helps defog
the windows slightly, the system runs the air
conditioning compressor and cancels recirculation
mode to dry the air; however, the recirculation light
will stay on. For best results, clear all snow and ice
from the windshield before defrosting.Turn the right knob to select the defog or
defrost mode.-(Defog):This mode directs half of the air to
the windshield and the side window outlets,
and half to the oor outlets.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield and the side window outlets, with
some air directed to the oor outlets.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in RUN.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. An indicator light on
the button will come on to let you know that
the rear window defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will only work when
the ignition is in RUN. The rear window defogger
will stay on for about 10 minutes after the
button is pressed, unless the ignition is turned to
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