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•Headlamps On
•Key In Ignition
•Check TPM System
EVIC Functions
Press the EVIC button until one of the following func-
tions are displayed on the EVIC:
•Compass/Temperature/Audio
•Average Fuel Economy
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
•Elapsed Time
•Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
•Personal Settings
To Reset The Display
Pressing and holding the EVIC button once will clear the
function currently being displayed. Reset will only occur
if a resettable function is currently being displayed. To
reset all resettable functions, press and release the EVIC
button a second time within 3 seconds of resetting the
currently displayed function (Reset ALL will be dis-
played during this 3 second window).
Compass/Temperature/Audio
Press and release the EVIC button to display one of eight
compass headings to indicate the direction the vehicle is
facing, the outside temperature and the current radio
station.
For additional information regarding the compass, refer
to Personal Settings (Customer Programmable Features)
in this section.
EVIC Button
154 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read
“RESET” or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the
history information will be erased, and the averaging will
continue from the last fuel reading before the reset.
Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be travelled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. This is not resettable.
NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.
When the DTE value is less than 30 miles (48 kilometers)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will change
to a text display ofLOW FUEL. This display will
continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding a
significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off theLOW FUELtext and a new DTE value will be dis-
played, based on the current values in the DTE calcula-
tion and the current fuel tank level.
Elapsed Time
Shows the total elapsed time of travel since the last reset
when the ignition switch is in the ACC position. Elapsed
time will increment when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
Refer to Section 5, “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) for system operation.
Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
This allows the driver to set and recall features when the
transmission is in PARK (automatic transmission) or the
vehicle is stopped (manual transmissions).
Press and release the EVIC button until Personal Settings
is displayed in the EVIC.
Use the EVIC button to display one of the following
choices:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 155
4
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heat at the windshield. This setting is good for main-
taining comfort while reducing moisture on the wind-
shield.
Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use this mode with
maximum fan and temperature settings for best wind-
shield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:
The air conditioning compressor operates in
both Mix and Defrost or a blend of these modes even if
the Air Conditioning Snowflake button is not pressed.
This dehumidifies the air to help dry the windshield. To
improve fuel economy, use these modes only when
necessary.
Air Outlets
The airflow from each of the instrument panel outlets can
be adjusted for direction and turned on or off to control
air flow.
NOTE:For maximum airflow to the rear seat passen-
gers, the center instrument panel outlets can be aimed, sothat the left center outlet is directed toward the right rear
passenger and the right center outlet is directed toward
the left rear passenger.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate
the temperature of the air in-
side the passenger compart-
ment. The blue area of the
scale indicates cooler tem-
peratures while the red area
indicates warmer tempera-
tures.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser: located in front of the radiator, for an accumula-
tion of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray
from behind the radiator and through the condenser.
Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce air flow to the
condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
200 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................208
▫Automatic Transaxle...................208
▫Manual Transaxle.....................208
▫Normal Starting......................208
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below20°F Or29°C)................209
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................209
▫After Starting........................210
Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped........210
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock System.......211
▫Automatic Transaxle Ignition
Interlock System......................212▫Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (Cvt)...............212
▫Fuel Economy/Performance
Operation Feature.....................213
AutoStick — If Equipped................214
▫AutoStick Operation...................214
▫AutoStick General Information............215
Manual Transaxle Operation..............215
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............216
▫Downshifting........................217
All Wheel Drive System — If Equipped.....217
Parking Brake.........................218
5
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Brake System.........................219
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................220
Power Steering........................223
Driving On Slippery Surfaces.............224
▫Acceleration.........................224
▫Traction............................224
Tire Safety Information..................225
▫Tire Markings........................225
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........228
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........229
Tires — General Information..............233
▫Tire Pressure.........................233
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................234
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................236
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........236▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........237
▫Tire Spinning........................237
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................238
▫LifeOfTire .........................239
▫Replacement Tires.....................239
▫Alignment And Balance.................240
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) —
If Equipped
..........................241
▫Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Operation – If Equipped..........241
▫Premium System – If Equipped...........242
▫General Information...................246
Tire Chains...........................247
Snow Tires...........................247
Tire Rotation Recommendations...........247
Fuel Requirements.....................248
206 STARTING AND OPERATING
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▫Gasoline Engines.....................248
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................249
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............249
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................249
▫Materials Added To Fuel................250
▫Fuel System Cautions..................250
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............251
Adding Fuel..........................252
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............252
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............253
Vehicle Loading.......................254
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......254
Trailer Towing........................255
▫Common Towing Definitions.............255
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............256
▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........257
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............258
▫Towing Requirements..................259
▫TowingTips .........................263
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)
................264
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind
Another Vehicle (Flat Towing With All Four
Wheels On The Ground)................264
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.
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
engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON
position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the
“NORMAL STARTING” procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
STARTING AND OPERATING 209
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•When shifting into P (Park), firmly move the lever all
the way forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
•You must depress the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the P (Park) position.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other-
wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could
result. You must also depress the brake pedal.
“R” Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
“N” Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
“D”
This should be used for most driving and provides the
best ratio for optimum driveability, fuel economy, and
performance.
“L” Low
This range should be used for maximum engine braking
when descending steep grades. In this range, the trans-
axle will ratio up only to prevent transaxle damage or
engine over speed while ratioing down will occur as
early as possible
Fuel Economy/Performance Operation Feature
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel economy/
performance operation feature. This feature provides a
noticeable detent (bump/step) in accelerator pedal
movement when the accelerator pedal is near full
throttle. Pressing the accelerator pedal past this detent
changes the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
calibration to amaximum performancemode. Keeping
the accelerator pedal before this detent keeps the vehicle
in an “economy mode” of operation. The change from
economy to performance is most noticeable at speeds
above 50 mph (80 km/h).
STARTING AND OPERATING 213
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