
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). Your engine will not start in
any other position -- this is a safety feature.
To restart when you are already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to PARK (P)
only when your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in the NEUTRAL position
and the parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch
pedal to the oor and start the engine. Your
vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all
the way down. That is a safety feature.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go
down as the engine gets warm. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components.
If the ignition key is turned to the START
position, and then released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start and the
key is held in START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent
gear damage, this system also prevents
cranking if the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped by turning the
ignition switch to the ACC or LOCK position.
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Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can
overheat and damage the cranking motor, and
drain the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the cranking motor
to cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator pedal all
the way to the oor and holding it there as you
hold the key in START for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine starts, let go of the key
and accelerator. If the vehicle starts brie y but
then stops again, do the same thing. This
clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and transmission
gently until the oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, your engine might not
perform properly. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have this feature.
In very cold weather, 0°F (–18°C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can help. You will get easier
starting and better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should
be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to
starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F
(0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required.
Your vehicle may also have an internal thermostat
in the plug end of the cord. This will prevent
operation of the engine coolant heater when the
temperature is at or above 0F (−18C) as noted
on the cord.
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To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical
cord. The cord is located in the engine
compartment behind the underhood fuse block
on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded
outlet could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug the cord
into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not
reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts. If you do
not, it could be damaged.How long should you keep the coolant heater
plugged in? The answer depends on the outside
temperature, the kind of oil you have, and
some other things. Instead of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact your
dealer in the area where you will be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on
the steering column.
It features an electronic shift position indicator
within the instrument cluster. This display must
be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of
being moved out of PARK (P). This means that if
your key is turned off, but not in LOCK, there will be
a small current drain on your battery which could
discharge your battery over a period of time.
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Instrument Panel Overview........................ 156
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 158
Other Warning Devices............................. 158
Horn.......................................................... 158
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 158
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 159
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 160
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 161
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 161
Windshield Wipers..................................... 161
Windshield Washer.................................... 162
Cruise Control........................................... 163
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 166
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 167
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 167
Automatic Headlamp System..................... 168
Fog Lamps................................................ 169
Exterior Cargo Lamps................................ 169
Interior Lamps........................................... 170
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 170
Dome Lamp.............................................. 170
Dome Lamp Override................................ 170
Exit Lighting.............................................. 171
Electric Power Management...................... 171
Battery Run-Down Protection..................... 171Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 172
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 173
Climate Controls......................................... 173
Climate Control System............................. 173
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 176
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators..... 177
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 178
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 179
Trip Odometer........................................... 179
Tachometer............................................... 179
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 180
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light....... 180
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 181
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 182
Battery Warning Light................................ 184
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)........ 185
Brake System Warning Light..................... 185
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 186
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 187
Tire Pressure Light.................................... 187
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 188
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 191
Security Light............................................ 192
Cruise Control Light.................................. 192
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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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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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 437for more on this. Things
that are especially important in trailer operation
are automatic transmission uid (don’t over ll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you nd them
quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea
to review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may be equipped with a four-pin
trailer towing harness. This harness has a four-pin
trailer connector that is attached to a bracket on
the hitch platform. The four-wire harness contains
the following trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps/Park lamps
White: Ground
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch load from the
CWR for your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with
your trailer attached, so that you won’t go over
the GVWR or the GAWR.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out
the weight of your load the right way, and if
you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 300later in this section.
311