Page 74 of 408

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid, trans-
mission fluid or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 167 of 408

4. Oil Pressure Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will come
on and remain on when the ignition switch is
turned from the OFF to the ON position, and the light
will turn off after the engine is started. If the bulb does
not come on during starting, have the system checked by
an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
5. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level drops to 2 gallons, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.6. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
7. Airbag Light
The light comes on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light does not
come on during starting, stays on, or comes on
while driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
8. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signal, when using the turn signal lever.
9. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the turn signal lever away from the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167
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Page 267 of 408

WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have an accident result-
ing in serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (refer to the paragraph on
“Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard for the size designation of your tire.
The service description and load identification will be
found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend
that you contact your original equipment or an autho-
rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.
STARTING AND OPERATING 267
5
Page 300 of 408
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of
this manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OVERHEATING
During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transaxle oil may
become too hot.
If this happens, the transmission overheat in-
dicator light will come on, and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the automatic transaxle
cools down enough to allow a return to the
requested speed. If the high speed is maintained, the
overheating will reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion.
300 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 321 of 408

The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The range markings will
consist of a crosshatch zone that says SAFE or a cross-
hatch zone that says MIN at the low end of the range and
MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one quart of
oil when the reading is at the low end of the indicated
range will result in the oil level at the full end of the
indicator range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine as
indicated by the range markings, as described above,
on the engine oil dipstick will cause oil aeration,
which can lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase
in oil temperature. This could damage your engine.
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 321
7
Page 399 of 408

Key, Programming........................ 16
Key, Replacement........................ 15
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 14
Key-In Reminder......................... 14
Keyless Entry System (Sedan)................ 24
Keys................................. 12
Lane Change and Turn Signals...........167,358
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 37
Latches
Hood............................... 123
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 277
LifeofTires ............................ 266
Liftgate (Sedan).......................... 32
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer............. 157
LightBulbs ............................ 354
Lights.............................. 74,118
Airbag.......................... 62,74,167
Back-Up............................. 358Brake Warning........................ 169
Bulb Replacement...................... 355
Cargo .............................. 152
Center Mounted Stop................... 361
Daytime Running...................... 120
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 119
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 142
Engine Temperature Warning.............. 168
Fog ..........................121,174,357
Headlight Switch...................... 119
Headlights........................... 119
High Beam Indicator.................... 167
Instrument Cluster..................... 119
License............................. 360
Lights On Reminder.................... 120
Low Fuel............................ 167
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 174
Map Reading......................... 118
Oil Pressure.......................... 167
INDEX 399
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