This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .212
....................
Maintenance Minder .213
....................
Maintenance Record .220
..............................
Fluid Locations .222
........................
Adding Engine Oil .224
Changing the Engine Oil
....................................
and Filter .226
..............................
Engine Coolant .228
....................
Windshield Washers .231
.......................
Transmission Fluid .232
..........
Automatic Transmission .232
..............
Manual Transmission .233
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .234
....................
Power Steering Fluid .235
.............................................
Lights .236
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .242
.....................................
Floor Mats .242
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .242
.................................
Wiper Blades .243
...............................................
Tires .245
...................
Checking the Battery .252
.............................
Vehicle Storage .254
297
Maintenance
Maint enance
211
Check the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use. When
you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
The
low washer
level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page ).
Check the f luid level by removing
the cap and looking at the level
gauge. 64
On Canadian models:
Windshield Washers
Maint enance
231
LEVEL GAUGELEVEL GAUGE
Except U.S. Si U.S. Si
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every 6 months.
Replace them if you f ind signs of
cracking in the rubber, and areas
that are getting hard or if they leave
streaks and unwiped areas when
used.To replace a wiper blade: Remove the cover, by squeezing the two tabs and pulling it straight
out.
Lift the wiper arm off the
windshield, raising the driver’s
side first, then the passenger’s
side. 2.
1.
CONT INUED
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
243
COVER
WIPER ARMS
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and wiper arms.
Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal
reinf orcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinf orcement strips f rom the old
wiper blade, and install them in
the slots along the edge of the new
blade.
Disconnect the blade assembly
from the wiper arm:
Press and hold the lock tab.
Slide the blade assembly toward
the lock tab until it releases
from the wiper arm.
When replacing a wiper blade,
make sure not to drop the wiper
blade or wiper arm down on the
windshield. Remove the blade from the blade
assembly:
Findthesideof theblade
labeled ‘‘LOCK.’’ This is the side
you pull out.
Pull back the end of the blade
assembly on the ‘‘LOCK’’ side of
theblade.Thengrabtheendof
the blade, and slide it out.
3. 4. 5.
Wiper Blades
244
BLADE ASSEMBLY
TAB WIPER BLADE REINFORCEMENT
STRIP
To saf ely operate your vehicle, your
tires must be the proper type and
size, in good condition with adequate
tread, and correctly inf lated.
The f ollowing pages give more
detailed inf ormation on how to take
care of your tires and what to do
when they need to be replaced.Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort.
Underinf lated tires wear unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel
economy, and are more likely to
fail from being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your
vehicleridemoreharshly,are
more prone to damage f rom road
hazards, and wear unevenly.
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
Install the new blade onto the
blade assembly:
Pull back either end of the blade
assembly.
Place the side of the blade not
labeled‘‘LOCK’’ontheendof
the blade assembly, and slide
the blade onto the assembly
until it is f ully installed.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Reinstall the cover onto the blade
assembly.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield, the passenger’s
side first, then the driver’s side. Make sure the blade is completely
installed and that its edge is not
bunched up.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
CONT INUED
Wiper Blades, Tires
T ires Inf lation Guidelines
Maint enance
245
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
Î
..............
Panel Brightness Control .73
........................
Park Gear Position .195
...........................................
Parking .198
...............................
Parking Brake .100
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator . 59, 269
.................................
Parking Lights .72
..
Parking Over Things that Burn .289
..................
Playing the Radio . 113, 130
........................
Playing a Disc . 122, 142
.........................
Playing a PC Card .151
.............................
PGM-FI System .288
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 16
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 16
........................
Protecting Children .33
.....................
General Guidelines .33
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .38
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 47
.............
Protecting Small Children . 39...................
Radiator Overheating . 265
.............
Radio/CD Sound System . 112
Radio/CD/PC Card Sound ........................................
System .130
...........................
Readiness Codes .268
Rear Lights, Bulb .......................
Replacement . 239-241
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding .93
............................
Rear View Mirror .99
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 74
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 91
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 192
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
................
Remote Audio Controls . 166
.......................
Remote Transmitter .88
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 242
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 226
..........................................
Fuses .270
................................
Light Bulbs .236
................
Maintenance Minder . 213
...........................................
Tires .249
.............................
Wiper Blades .243 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash .20
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant . 181, 228
...............................
Restraint, Child .33
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 195
................................
Rotation, Tire .248
..................................
Safety Belts . 8, 18
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 296
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 52
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts . 8, 18
...............
Additional Information . 18
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .19
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 14, 19
........................
Mainte nance . 20, 242
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper . 18, 59
Index
R
S
P
VI
Î
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .52
....................
Warranty Coverages .295
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .231
.......................................
Indicator .64
.....................................
Operation .71
Wheel ...............
Adjusting the Steering .75
............
Alignment and Balance .248
..........................
Compact Spare .256
...............................
Nut Wrench .258
Windows ..................
Operating the Power .96
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .74
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .71
...................................
Def roster .109
.......................................
Washers .71
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .243
.....................................
Operation .71
............................
Worn Tires . 247, 248
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 276
:U.S. only
Index
INDEX
IX