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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will
know how fast you are going, about how much fuel you have used, and many other things you will need to
know to drive safely and economically.
United States automatic transmission version shown, Canada similar
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical
system for malfunctions. The light tells you if there
is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensors, the airbag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag
systems, seeAirbag System on page 76.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not in ate in
a crash, or they could even in ate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to ON or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on
or off symbol to let you know the status of the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag.There is a label on your sun visor that says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.”
This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is
so great if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag if the system
detects a rear-facing child restraint, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. We recommend
that rear-facing child restraints be secured
in the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
United StatesCanada
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) displays
information such as the trip odometer,
personalization features, and warning messages.
The DIC display is located on the instrument
panel cluster.
DIC Controls and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) comes on
when the ignition is on.
If a problem is detected, a warning message will
appear on the display. Pressing and releasing
the trip odometer reset stem on the DIC will
acknowledge some current warnings or service
messages. Some messages will only clear
after the required action has been taken.
The DIC has different modes which can be
accessed by pressing the trip odometer reset stem
on the DIC. These modes are explained in the
following section. The DIC trip odometer reset stem
is located on the instrument panel cluster next to
the DIC display. To scroll through the available
functions, press and release the reset stem.
Trip Information
Odometer
The odometer is automatically displayed on the
DIC when you start the vehicle. The odometer
shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven in either miles for the United States
or kilometers for Canada.
Trip Odometer
Press and release the reset stem until TRIP
appears on the DIC display. The trip odometer
shows the current distance traveled since the last
reset of the trip odometer in either miles for the
United States or kilometers for Canada.
Press and hold the reset stem for about
four seconds to reset the trip odometer.
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FUEL CAP
This message displays if the vehicle’s fuel cap is
either off or loose. Pull over as soon as possible
and check to see if the fuel cap is secure. You may
also see the check engine light on the instrument
panel cluster. If the check engine light does
come on when the fuel cap was loose, it may take
a few driving trips before the light turns off. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 188for more
information if the light still remains on. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
LOW FUEL
This message displays if the level of fuel in
the vehicle is low. Also check the fuel gage. See
Fuel Gage on page 193for more information.
Re ll the fuel tank as soon as possible.
LOW TIRE
This message displays if a low tire pressure
is detected in any of the vehicle’s tires. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.The message appears at each ignition cycle
until the tires are in ated to the correct
in ation pressure. SeeTires on page 369and
In ation - Tire Pressure on page 377for
more information on tires and the correct
in ation pressures.
LOW TRAC (Traction)
If your vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS), this message displays when a
low traction condition is detected. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 249for more
information. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from
the display.
OIL
This message displays when the oil pressure is
low. SeeOil Pressure Light on page 191and
Engine Oil on page 325for more information.
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SERV (Service) VEH (Vehicle)
This message displays if your vehicle needs
service. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer
as soon as possible.
SERVICE CHARG (Charge)
SYS (System)
This message displays if there is a problem with
the battery charging system. Under certain
conditions, the battery warning light may also turn
on in the instrument panel cluster. SeeBattery
Warning Light on page 184. The battery will not be
charging at an optimal rate and the vehicle will
lose the ability to enter the fuel economy mode.
The vehicle is safe to drive, however have
the electrical system checked by your dealer.
Press and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.
TRACTION FAULT
If your vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS), this message may display if
there is a problem with the TCS. Check the
TCS as soon as possible and have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 249for more information.
Press and release the reset stem to acknowledge
the message and clear it from the display.
TURN SIGNAL
This message displays when the turn signal is on
for about 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of travel. Press
and release the reset stem to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the display.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or
always decrease stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not have
time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may
feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some
noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road conditions.
The system operates only if it senses that one
or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system reduces engine power and may
also upshift the transmission to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
The TCS button is
located on your
instrument panel.
Press this button
to turn the TCS
off and on.
When the traction control system is turned off, an
indicator light on the button will illuminate.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage.
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Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just
move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right. Always back up
slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very sharp
turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer
won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have
extra wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal asher.
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, consider the following: Engine coolant
will boil at a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If you turn your engine off immediately
after towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
your vehicle may show signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while
parked (preferably on level ground) with the
automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or the manual
transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If you do get the overheat warning,
seeEngine Overheating on page 340.
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