Page 305 of 520
If your vehicle is equipped with Infrared Three-Zone
Automatic Temperature Control the rear defroster sym-
bol will show in the display screen when the rear
window defroster is on.CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 305
4
Page 306 of 520
Page 307 of 520
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .....................311
▫ Automatic Transmission ................312
▫ Normal Starting (Above 32°F / 0°C) ........312
▫ Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below
20°F / –29°C) .......................312
▫ High Altitude Starting
(Above 4,000 Ft ./1219m) ..............312
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................313
▫ After Starting ........................314
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........315
Automatic Transmission ..................315
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System .......316
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System .............................316
▫ Four Speed Automatic Transmission ........316
Parking Brake .........................319
Brake System ..........................321
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped .....321
Traction Control — If Equipped ............324
5
Page 308 of 520

Power Steering ........................325
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............326
▫ Acceleration .........................326
▫ Traction ............................327
Tire Safety Information ...................327
▫ Tire Markings ........................327
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........330
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........332
Tires — General Information ...............336
▫ Tire Pressure .........................336
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................337
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ......................339
▫ Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........340 ▫
Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........341
▫ Tire Spinning ........................341
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................342
▫ Life Of Tire .........................343
▫ Replacement Tires .....................343
▫ Alignment And Balance .................344
Tire Chains ...........................345
Snow Tires ...........................346
Tire Rotation ..........................346
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) — If
Equipped ............................347
▫ Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System Without
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — If
Equipped ...........................348
308 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 309 of 520

▫Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure
Warnings ...........................349
▫ Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System With
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — If
Equipped ...........................349
▫ Service Tire System Soon ................351
▫ Using Your Compact Spare — Basic Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Only ................352
▫ General Information ...................353
Fuel Requirements ......................353
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................354
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............354
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................355
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................355 ▫
Fuel System Cautions ..................356
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............356
Adding Fuel ..........................357
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............357
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............359
Flexible Fuel — Fleet Vehicles Only ..........360
▫ E-85 General Information ................360
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................361
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................361
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............362
▫ Starting ............................362
▫ Cruising Range .......................363
STARTING AND OPERATING 309
5
Page 310 of 520

▫Replacement Parts .....................363
▫ Maintenance .........................363
Vehicle Loading ........................363
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............364
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......364
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........364
▫ Tire Size ............................365
▫ Rim Size ...........................365
▫ Inflation Pressure .....................365
▫ Curb Weight .........................365
▫ Overloading .........................365
▫ Loading ............................366
Trailer Towing .........................367
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............368
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............371
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................372
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............374
▫ Towing Requirements ..................376
▫ Towing Tips .........................381
Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 382
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ............................382
310 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 311 of 520
STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.WARNING!
•Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the gear selection lever or
by pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause
excessive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in
overheating and vehicle fire which may cause
serious or fatal injuries.
•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
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up
may cause serious injury or death.
STARTING AND OPERATING 311
5
Page 312 of 520

Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting (Above 32°F / 0°C)
1. Do not depress the accelerator.
2. Turn and hold the ignition key in the START position
and release when engine starts.
3. If engine does not start after 3 seconds, depress the
accelerator lightly (while still cranking the engine).
4. If engine does not start after 15 seconds, turn the
ignition key off.
5. Wait 10 to 15 seconds, and repeat step s1—5.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below 20°F /
–29°C)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
High Altitude Starting (Above 4,000 ft. / 1 219 m)
Follow the same instructions in the “Normal Starting”
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
312 STARTING AND OPERATING