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REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Electric Rear Window Defroster
The electric Rear Window Defroster Control is
located on the climate control. Press this button to
turn on the rear window defroster and the heated side
mirrors (if equipped). An LED in the button will illumi-
nate when the rear window defroster is ON. The de-
froster automatically turns off after approximately 10
minutes of operation for the first push of the button, and
will turn off after approximately 5 minutes for the second
push of the button.
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 185
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures....................190
NAutomatic Transmission................190
NNormal Starting......................190
NExtremely Cold Weather (Below
220ÉF Or229ÉC).....................190
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................191
NAfter Starting........................192
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped........192
mAutomatic Transmission.................193
NAutomatic Transmission Ð General
Information.........................193
NBrake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . 195N5 Speed Automatic Transmission..........196
mAutoStickt...........................200
NAutoSticktOperation..................200
NAutoSticktGeneral Information...........201
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces.............202
NAcceleration.........................202
NTraction............................202
mParking Brake.........................203
mBrake System.........................204
NAnti-Lock Brake System................204
mPower Steering........................207
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mElectronic Brake Control System...........208
NABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............208
NTCS (Traction Control System)............208
NBAS (Brake Assist System)...............209
NESP (Electronic Stability Program).........209
NSynchronizing ESP....................212
NESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light................213
mTire Safety Information..................213
NTire Markings........................213
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........216
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........217
mTires Ð General Information..............221
NTire Pressure.........................221
NTire Inflation Pressures.................222
NRadial-Ply Tires......................224NTire Spinning........................224
NTread Wear Indicators..................225
NLife Of Tire.........................225
NReplacement Tires.....................226
NAlignment And Balance.................227
mTire Chains...........................227
mSnow Tires...........................228
mTire Rotation Recommendations...........229
NTire Rotation Ð Standard Tires............229
NTire Rotation Ð All Season Tires..........230
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Ð If
Equipped
............................230
NBase System Ð If Equipped..............232
NPremium System Ð If Equipped..........234
NGeneral Information...................237
mFuel Requirements.....................237
188 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 189 of 350
N6.1L Engine.........................237
NReformulated Gasoline.................238
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............238
NMMT In Gasoline.....................238
NMaterials Added To Fuel................239
NFuel System Cautions..................239
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............240
mAdding Fuel..........................240
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............240
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............243
mVehicle Loading.......................243NVehicle Certification Label...............243
NGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......244
NGross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........244
NOverloading.........................244
NLoading............................244
mTrailer Towing........................246
mRecreational Towing (Behind
Motorhome, Etc.)
......................246
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................246
STARTING AND OPERATING 189
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
²Never 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.
²Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
²Be 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 Transmission
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the ªSTARTº position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the ªLOCKº position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather (below220ÉF or229ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
190 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 191 of 350

If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear
any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!
²Never 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.
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Un-
burned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and
once the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly. See section 6 of
this manual for the proper jump-starting proce-
dures and follow them carefully.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15
STARTING AND OPERATING 191
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seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the key once
the engine is running smoothly. Do not overspeed the
engine.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure
should be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
192 STARTING AND OPERATING