This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.
......................Compact Spare Tire . 234
....................Changing a Flat Tire . 235
.............If the Engine Won’t Start . 239
Nothing Happens or the
Starter Motor Operates
............................Very Slowly . 239
The Starter Operates
................................Normally . 240
................................Jump Starting . 241
..............If the Engine Overheats . 243
.........Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 245
..........Charging System Indicator . 245
.......Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 246
.......................Readiness Codes . 246
...............Brake System Indicator . 247
..................Closing the Moonroof . 248
..............................................Fuses . 249
..............................Fuse Locations . 253
......................Emergency Towing . 255
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
233
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Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Store the center cap in the trunk.
Make sure it does not get
scratched or damaged.
Lower the trunk f loor, then close
the trunk lid. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
orneutralorthestarterwillnot
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .
19.
241
CONT INUED
If the Engine Won’t StartNothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
Changing a Flat Tire, If the Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
239
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
06/08/08 14:54:38 31SDR620_244
Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. Seeon page .In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery connections (see page ). You can then try jump
starting the vehicle from a booster
battery (see page ). If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
255
229 241 171
82 249
255
Emergency T owing T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
240
06/08/08 14:54:47 31SDR620_245
´´
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it. The numbers in the illustration show
the order to connect the jumper
cable.
Put the transmission in neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, stereo system, lights, etc. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
241
BOOSTER
BATTERY
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
06/08/08 14:54:59 31SDR620_246
µOnce your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper
cables away from each other and
any metal on the vehicle until
everything is disconnected.
Otherwise, you may cause an
electrical short.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine. 7.
6. 5.
4.
Jump Starting
242
06/08/08 14:55:09 31SDR620_247
CONT INUED
....................................Accessories . 162
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................Position) . 83
.............Accessory Power Socket . 100
....................Additives, Engine Oil . 204
.............................Airbag (SRS) . 11, 24
..........Airbag System Components . 24
............................Air Conditioning . 106
.........................................Usage . 108
...............Air Intake, IMA Battery . 167
.......................Air Pressure, Tires . 224
..................Air Vent, IMA Battery . 167
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................Indicator . 61, 181
...................................Operation . 181
.Anti-theft Steering Column Lock . 83
............................................Armrest . 89
................................Audio System . 118
................................Auto Idle Stop . 177
...............Auto Idle Stop Indicator . 178
.............Automatic Speed Control . 147
..............Automatic Transmission . 172
..........................Capacity, Fluid . 260
.......................................Shifting . 172
.Shift Lever Position Indicator . 172
................Shift Lever Positions . 172
....................Shift Lock Release . 175
Battery
Charging System
...........................Indicator . 60, 245
............................Jump Starting . 241
..............................Maintenance . 229
............................Specifications . 261
..............................Before Driving . 155
..................................Belts, Seat . 10, 20
....................................Booster Seat . 51
Brakes
...........Anti-lock System (ABS) . 181
.............Break-in, New Linings . 156
...........................................Fluid . 211
.........................................Parking . 98
.................System Indicator . 60, 247
........................Wear Indicators . 180
.............................Braking System . 180
........................Break-in, New Car . 156
..Brightness Control, Instruments . 78
........................Brights, Headlights . 76
Bulb Replacement
................Front Parking Lights . 216
.........................Headlights . 214, 215
............................Specifications . 261
....................Turn Signal Lights . 216
..............................Bulbs, Halogen . 213
............................Capacities Chart . 260
.............Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
.............................Carrying Cargo . 164
.............CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
.......................................CD Player . 125
..........................Error Message . 131
........................Certification Label . 258
............................................Chains . 228
....................Changing a Flat Tire . 235
Changing Oil
........................................How to . 205
......................................When to . 193
....................Charge/Assist Gauge . 72
...Charging System Indicator . 60, 245
..............Check Fuel Cap Message . 73
Index
A
B
C
INDEX
I
06/08/08 15:00:16 31SDR620_282
............Checklist, Before Driving . 170
..................Childproof Door Locks . 85
............................Child Seats . 36, 43-49
...........Lower Anchorage Points . 45
..........Tether Anchorage Points . 49
..............Climate Control Sensors . 117
.........................Clock, Setting the . 145
......................................Coat Hook . 103
..................CO in the Exhaust . 54, 265
............Cold Weather, Starting in . 171
..............................Compact Spare . 234
.................Console Compartment . 101
.................Consumer Inf ormation . 272
.............Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant
........................................Adding. 207
....................................Checking. 160
.........................Proper Solution. 207
...................Temperature Gauge . 72
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................System. 265
............Cruise Control Operation . 147
.............Customer Service Of f ice . 272
...............DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................Dashboard . 4, 58
................Daytime Running Lights . 78
............Defects, Reporting Safety . 274
................Def ogger, Rear Window . 79
....................................Dimensions. 260
...............Dimming the Headlights . 76
Dipstick
..........Automatic Transmission . 210
..................................Engine Oil. 159
..........................Directional Signals. 76
........Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 180
.....................Disposal of Used Oil. 206
Doors
..............Locking and Unlocking . 84
..........DOT Tire Quality Grading . 262
...........Driver and Passenger Safety . 7
...........................................Driving. 169
....................................Economy. 161
..........Dual Temperature Control . 115
..............................Economy, Fuel. 161
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
.......................................Indicator. 66
............Emergencies on the Road . 233
.............Battery, Jump Starting . 241
...........Brake System Indicator . 247
................Changing a Flat Tire . 235
.....Charging System Indicator . 245
..................Checking the Fuses . 249
.....Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 245
...Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 246
..................Overheated Engine . 243
...........................Emergency Brake. 98
......................Emergency Flashers. 79
......................Emergency Towing. 255
.......................Emissions Controls. 265
Engine
....Coolant Temperature Gauge . 72
Malf unction Indicator
................................Lamp . 60, 246
..............Oil Pressure Indicator . 245
..............Oil, What Kind to Use . 203
...............................Overheating. 243
............................Specif ications. 261
............................Speed Limiter. 174
................................Starting . 83, 171
...................Engine Speed Limiter . 174
Index
D
E
II
06/08/08 15:00:22 31SDR620_283
...................................Inside Mirror . 93
.............................Inspection, Tire . 225
....................Installing a Child Seat . 44
..........Tether Anchorage Points . 49
.............................Using LATCH . 45
............................Instrument Panel . 59
........Instrument Panel Brightness . 78
........................................Introduction .i
.................Jacking up the Vehicle . 235
.......................................Jack, Tire . 235
................................Jump Starting . 241
..................................................Keys . 81
.......................Label, Certif ication . 258
.................Lane Change, Signaling . 76
........................Lap/Shoulder Belts . 21
Lights
....................Bulb Replacement . 213
.......................................Indicator . 63
.........................................Parking . 76
............................Turn Signal . 63, 76
....................................Load Limits . 165
......LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 83
Locks
.......Anti-thef t Steering Column . 83
............................Fuel Fill Door . 157
..................................Glove Box . 102
....................Lockout Prevention . 84
.................................Power Door. 84
...........................................Trunk. 88
........................Low Coolant Level. 160
...Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 172
...Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 60, 245
...Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 260
.........................................Luggage. 164
..................................Maintenance. 191
Owner’s Maintenance
...................................Checks. 198
........................................Record. 200
.........................Minder Indicator. 65
..........................................Saf ety. 192
................................Minder . 193-199
.Malfunction Indicator Lamp . 60, 246
...............................Meters, Gauges. 67
..........................Mirrors, Adjusting. 93
.................................Modif ications. 163
.........................................Moonroof. 97
...Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 156
.........................................Odometer. 68
Oil
........................Change, How to. 205
...............Change, When to . 193-199
......................Checking Engine. 159
..............Pressure Indicator . 60, 245
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................Chart. 203
...........ON (Ignition Key Position) . 83
...................Neutral Gear Position . 173
..................New Vehicle Break-in . 156
...................NOTICE, Explanation of .i
...............Numbers, Identif ication . 258
Index
J
K
L
M
N
O
IV
06/08/08 15:00:39 31SDR620_285