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Control Setting Suggestions for Various Weather Conditions
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 201
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Electric Rear Window Defroster
Press this button, located on the Blower Control
knob, to turn on the rear window defroster and the
heated side mirrors — if equipped. A light in the button
will illuminate to indicate the rear window defroster is
ON. The defroster automatically turns off after about 10
minutes of operation.CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, chemically harsh or abrasive window
cleaners on the interior surface of the window.
Labels can be gently peeled off after soaking with
warm water.
202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................207
▫Automatic Transaxle...................207
▫Normal Starting......................207
▫Tip Start Feature — Automatic
Transaxle Only.......................208
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below20°F Or29°C)................208
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................208
▫After Starting........................209
▫Remote Start System — If Equipped........209
▫How To Use Remote Start...............209
Automatic Transaxle....................211▫Brake/Transaxle Interlock System..........212
▫Automatic Transaxle Ignition
Interlock System......................212
▫Four Speed Or Six Speed (AutoStick)
Automatic Transaxle...................212
AutoStick— If Equipped...............214
▫AutoStickOperation..................215
▫AutoStickGeneral Information...........215
Parking Brake.........................216
Brake System.........................217
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................218
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Electronic Brake Control System –
ABS/TCS/BAS/ESP
....................221
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................221
▫Traction Control System (TCS) —
If Equipped.........................221
▫Brake Assist System (BAS) — If Equipped....221
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP) —
If Equipped.........................222
Power Steering........................225
Driving On Slippery Surfaces.............226
▫Acceleration.........................226
▫Traction............................226
Tire Safety Information..................227
▫Tire Markings........................227
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........230
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........231
Tires — General Information..............235
▫Tire Pressure.........................235
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................236
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................238
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........238
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........239
▫Tire Spinning........................240
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................240
▫LifeOfTire .........................241
▫Replacement Tires.....................241
▫Alignment And Balance.................242
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) —
If Equipped
..........................243
▫Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Operation – If Equipped..........243
▫Premium System – If Equipped...........244
204 STARTING AND OPERATING
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▫General Information...................248
Tire Chains...........................248
Snow Tires...........................248
Tire Rotation Recommendations...........249
Fuel Requirements.....................250
▫2.4L And 2.7L Engines..................250
▫3.5L Engine.........................250
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................251
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............251
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................252
▫Materials Added To Fuel................252
▫Fuel System Cautions..................252
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............253
Flexible Fuel— 2.7L Engines Only
(Except California)
.....................253
▫E-85 General Information................253▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................254
▫Fuel Requirements....................254
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......255
▫Starting............................255
▫Cruising Range.......................255
▫Replacement Parts.....................255
▫Maintenance.........................255
Adding Fuel..........................256
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............256
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............257
Vehicle Loading.......................258
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............258
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......259
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........259
▫Overloading.........................259
STARTING AND OPERATING 205
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▫Loading............................260
Trailer Towing........................261
▫Common Towing Definitions.............261
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............263
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................263
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............264▫Towing Requirements..................265
▫TowingTips .........................269
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)
................270
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle (Flat Towing With All Four Wheels
On The Ground)......................270
206 STARTING AND OPERATING
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
Make sure all occupants have securely fastened their seat
belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selection lever or by
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause exces-
sive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in over-
heating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of Park.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
STARTING AND OPERATING 207
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start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
“OFF” position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
Tip Start Feature — Automatic Transaxle Only
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running.
Extremely Cold Weather (below20°F or29°C)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“NORMAL STARTING” procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than 15
seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
Ignition Key Position
208 STARTING AND OPERATING