SeePassenger Sensing System on page 89for
more on this, including important safety information.
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or the passenger
sensing system. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together, it
means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens,
have the vehicle serviced promptly,
because an adult-size person sitting in the
right front passenger seat may not have
the protection of the frontal airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 169.
Charging System Light
This light should come
on briefly when you turn
on the ignition, before
starting the engine, as a
check to show you it
is working.
After the engine starts, the light should go out. If it
stays on or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with your charging system.
It could indicate a problem with the generator drive
belt, or some other charging system problem.
Have it checked right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
on, it helps to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
174
While your vehicle is parked:
•Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
•Familiarize yourself with its operation.
•Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment
to your vehicle, such as an audio system,
CD player, CB radio, mobile telephone,
or two-way radio, make sure that it can be
added by checking with your dealer. Also,
check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be
added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with the
operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has
been added.Notice:The chime signals related to safety
belts, parking brake, and other functions
of your vehicle operate through the radio/
entertainment system. If that equipment
is replaced or additional equipment is added to
your vehicle, the chimes may not work. Make
sure that replacement or additional equipment
is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 286.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio
system can be played even after the ignition
is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 122for more information.
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold the HR or MIN arrow for
two seconds. Then press HR until the correct hour
appears on the display. Press and hold MIN until
the correct minute appears on the display.
The time may be set with the ignition on or off.
188
For best results, use a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which
scrub the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner
cassette turn. The recommended cleaning cassette
is available through your dealer.
When cleaning the cassette tape player with the
recommended non-abrasive cleaning cassette, it is
possible that the cassette may eject, because
the cut tape detection feature on the radio
may recognize it as a broken tape, in error.
To prevent the cleaning cassette from being
ejected, use the following steps:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press and hold the TAPE DISC button for
five seconds. READY will appear on the
display and the cassette symbol will flash for
five seconds.
4. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette.5. Eject the cleaning cassette after the
manufacturer’s recommended cleaning time.
When the cleaning cassette has been ejected,
the cut tape detection feature will be active
again.
A non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner which
uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape
head can be used. This type of cleaning cassette
will not eject on its own. A non-scrubbing
action cleaner may not clean as thoroughly as the
scrubbing type cleaner. The use of a
non-scrubbing action, dry-type cleaning cassette is
not recommended.
After the player is cleaned, press and hold the
eject button for five seconds to reset the CLEAN
indicator. The radio will display --- or CLEANED to
show the indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound
quality may degrade over time. Always make sure
the cassette tape is in good condition before
the tape player is serviced.
225
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in
your vehicle: Buckle up. SeeSafety Belts: They
Are for Everyone on page 17.
{CAUTION:
Defensive driving really means “Be ready
for anything.” On city streets, rural roads,
or expressways, it means “Always expect
the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians
or other drivers are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate what they
might do and be ready. Rear-end collisions
are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow
enough following distance. Defensive
driving requires that a driver concentrate
on the driving task. Anything that distracts
from the driving task makes proper
defensive driving more difficult and can
even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do these
things, or pull off the road in a safe place to
do them. These simple defensive driving
techniques could save your life.
228
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or
a child darts out from between parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can avoid
these problems by braking — if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.
That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes.
SeeBraking on page 232. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision.
Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention and
a quick decision. If you are holding the steering
wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very
quickly without removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once you have avoided the
object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.
240
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transmission fluid (don’t overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you find 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
The optional heavy-duty trailer wiring package
includes a seven-wire harness assembly at
the rear of the vehicle and a four-wire
harness assembly under the left hand side
of the instrument panel. The seven-wire
harness assembly is taped together and
located in a frame pocket at the driver side
rear left corner of the frame.The seven-wire harness includes a 30-amp feed
wire. Both harnesses come without connectors and
should be wired by a qualified electrical technician.
The technician can use the following color code
chart when connecting the wiring harness to
your trailer and trailer brake controller.
Seven-Wire Harness
•Light Green: Back-up lamps
•Brown: Parking lamps
•Yellow: Left stoplamp and turn signal
•Dark Green: Right stoplamp and turn signal
•Dark Blue: Use for electric trailer brakes
•Red/Black Stripe: Trailer accessory
•White (heavy gage): Ground wire
Four-Wire Harness (Trailer Brake Controller)
•Black: Ground
•Red/White Stripe: Fused Battery
•Dark Blue: Trailer Brake Feed
•Light Blue: Fused Stoplamp/CHMSL
282
Appearance Care........................................ 377
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 377
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 378
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 379
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 380
Weatherstrips............................................ 380
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 380
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 381
Finish Care............................................... 381
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 382
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 382
Tires......................................................... 383
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 383
Finish Damage.......................................... 383
Underbody Maintenance............................ 384Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 384
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 385
Vehicle Identi cation.................................. 386
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)........... 386
Service Parts Identification Label............... 386
Electrical System........................................ 387
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 387
Headlamp Wiring....................................... 387
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 387
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 387
Floor Console Fuse Block......................... 388
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............... 390
Capacities and Speci cations.................... 393
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
285
Tire Size
The following examples show the different parts of
a tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P
as the first character in the tire size means a
passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards set
by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.(A) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The United
States version of a metric tire sizing system. The
letters LT as the first two characters in the tire size
means a light truck tire engineered to standards set
by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates
the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 75, as
shown in item C of the light truck (LT-Metric) tire
illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
75 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction;
the letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B means belted-bias
ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel
in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a
tire. The load index can range from 1 to 279.
Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
344