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Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will
help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to your warning
lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
you will see in the details on the next few
pages, some warning lights come on brie y when
you start the engine just to let you know they’re
working. If you are familiar with this section,
you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let
you know when there’s a problem with your
vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on when you are driving, or when one of the
gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly — and even dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights and
gages. They’re a big help.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll
know how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive
safely and economically. The indicator warning lights and gages are explained on the following pages.
United States version shown, Canada similar
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in
both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per
hour (km/h). Your odometer shows how far your
vehicle has been driven, in either miles (used
in the United States) or kilometers (used in
Canada).
Your vehicle has a tamper-resistant odometer.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle
needs a new odometer installed. The new one can
be set to the mileage total of the old odometer.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can display how far you have
driven since you last reset it.
For more information seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 249.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a
chime will come on for several seconds to remind
people to fasten their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay
on for several
seconds, then it will
ash for several more.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition
is on and the vehicle is in motion, the chime
and safety belt light will be repeated. You should
buckle your seat belt. If the driver’s belt is
already buckled, neither the chime nor the light
will come on.
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Passenger Safety Belt Reminder
Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to RUN or
START, a chime will come on for several seconds
to remind the front passenger to buckle their safety
belt. This would only occur if a passenger is
detected by the passenger sensing system. See
Passenger Sensing System on page 106for more
information. The passenger safety belt light will also
come on and stay on for several seconds, then it
will ash for several more.You should have the
passenger buckle their
safety belt.
This light and chime reminder will be repeated if
the ignition is on, the vehicle is in motion, the
passenger is still unbuckled and the passenger
airbag is enabled.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical
system for malfunctions. The light comes on if
there is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the airbag modules,
the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 96.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not in ate in
a crash, or they could even in ate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If
the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
side impact airbag (if equipped).If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the
passenger airbag status indicator, it means that
the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags
are enabled (may in ate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have
a rear-facing child restraint installed in the
right front passenger’s seat, it means that
the passenger sensing system has not
turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact airbag (if
equipped). A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured or killed if
the right front passenger’s airbag in ates.
This is because the back of the rear-facing
child restraint would be very close to the
in ating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat if the airbag is turned on.
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If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the
airbag status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has turned off the right
front passenger’s airbag or airbags. See
Passenger Sensing System on page 106for more
on this, including important safety information.
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or the passenger
sensing system. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together, 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 seat may not have
the protection of an airbag. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 234.
Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on brie y
when you turn on the
ignition, but the
engine is not running,
as a check to show you
it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it
stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the charging system.
It could indicate that you have problems with a
generator drive belt, or another electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. 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
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part isn’t 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 could be a
brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.This light should come on brie y when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there’s a 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 oor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light on page 239andTowing Your
Vehicle on page 410.
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