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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something may
be wrong with the airbag system. If this
ever happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger’s seat
may not have the protection of the frontal
airbag and side airbag (if equipped).
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 164
for more on this, including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briefly
when you turn on the
ignition, and the engine
is not running, as a
check to show you it
is working.
Then it should go out when the engine is started.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your dealer. Driving
while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come
on briefly when you turn
the ignition to ON. If it
does not come on then,
have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not fully release. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal
may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 241.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has an
Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), this light will
come on when the
ignition is turned to
ON and may stay on
for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the light comes on, stop as soon as possible and
turn the ignition off.Then start the engine again to reset the system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.
See your dealer. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but
you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do not
have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem
with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 168.
The ABS warning light will come on briefly when
you turn the ignition to ON. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it fixed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Speed Sensitive Power
Steering (SSPS) Warning Light
If your vehicle has
Speed Sensitive Power
Steering, this warning
light will come on briefly
when you turn the
ignition to ON as a check
to show you it is working.
Then it should go out after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not come on, have it fixed
so it will be able to warn you if there is a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or comes on while
you are driving, the system may not be working.
If this happens, see your dealer for service.
Hold Mode Light
If your vehicle has this
feature, this light will
come on when the hold
mode is active.
If the HOLD mode light flashes, have your vehicle
checked. See “Hold Mode” underAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 110for additional
information on this feature.
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The Check Engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed to
assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modi cations made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or replacement tires that do not
match your vehicle’s original tires can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modi cations to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 249.
When the ignition is on, this light should come on
and should go out after a few seconds as a
check to show you it is working. If the light does
not come on, have it repaired.
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This light will also come on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
•Light Flashing— A misfire condition has
been detected. A misfire increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
•Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
•Reducing vehicle speed
•Avoiding hard accelerations
•Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission
system malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 254.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
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Oil Pressure Light
If your vehicle has low
engine oil pressure, this
light will stay on after
you start your engine, or
come on when you
are driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving
enough oil. The engine could be low on oil,
or could have some other oil problem. Have it
fixed immediately by your dealer.
The oil light could also come on in three other
situations:
•When the ignition is on but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a test to
show you it is working. The light will go
out when you turn the ignition on. If it does
not come on with the ignition on, you
may have a problem with the fuse or bulb.
Have it fixed right away.
•If you are idling at a stop sign, the light may
blink on and then off.
•If you make a hard stop, the light may come
on for a moment. This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
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Here are four things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
•At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
•It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage may
have indicated the tank was half full, but it
actually took a little more or less than half the
tank’s capacity to fill the tank.
•The indicator moves a little when you turn a
corner or speed up.
•The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light comes on
when the fuel tank is
low on fuel.The low fuel warning light comes on when there is
about 2.0 gallons (7.5 liters) of fuel remaining in
the tank.
To turn the light off, add fuel to the fuel tank.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 254.
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 206. 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.
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