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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
Under normal driving conditions the gage will
read 210°F (100 °C) or less. If the gage pointer
is near 260°F (125 °C), the engine is too hot.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 410for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on
brie y when you turn
the ignition to ON.
It will also come on when one or more of your
tires are signi cantly underin ated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE Driver Information
Center (DIC) message will accompany the light.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 244
for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underin ated, in ate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 435for more information.
This light will ash for about 70 seconds and then
stay on if a problem is detected with the Tire
Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 444
for more information.
United StatesCanada
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to make sure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The check engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This can prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered
by your warranty.
Notice:Modi cations made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and can cause
this light to come on. Modi cations to these
systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This could also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 385.
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This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A mis re condition has
been detected. A mis re increases vehicle
emissions and could damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service might be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might be
required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possible.If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to
do so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to
park the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds, and restart the engine. If the
light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following. If the light is still ashing, follow
the previous steps and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 390.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
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Did you just drive through a deep puddle
of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be
wet. The condition is usually corrected when
the electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 388. Poor fuel
quality causes the engine not to run as efficiently
as designed. You might notice this as stalling
after start-up, stalling when you put the vehicle
into gear, mis ring, hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration — these conditions
might go away once the engine is warmed up.
This will be detected by the system and cause
the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment
and diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or
electrical problems that might have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or might begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced the battery or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This can take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for
lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer/retailer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
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