A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
²Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
²Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
²Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside ve-
hicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn into
the vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
2
NOTE:Once programmed, all transmitters linked to
memory can be easily enabled or disabled at one time.
Refer to Remote Linked to Memory under9Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Ð Customer Pro-
grammable Features9in Section 4 for more information.
Easy Entry/Exit Seat
This feature provides automatic driver's seat positioning
which will enhance driver mobility out of and into the
vehicle.
There are two possible Easy Exit and Easy Entry adjust-
ments available:
²The seat cushion will move rearward approximately
2.5 inches (60 mm) if the starting position of the seat is
greater than or equal to 2.67 inches (68 mm) forward of
the rear seat stop when the key is removed from the
ignition switch. The seat will then move forwardapproximately 2.5 inches (60 mm) when the key is
placed into the ignition and turned out of the LOCK
position.
²The seat shall move to the position located 0.3 inches
(8 mm) forward of the rear stop if the starting position
is between 0.9 inches to 2.67 inches (23 mm to 68 mm)
forward of the rear stop when the key is removed from
the ignition switch. The seat will move forward to the
memory/driving position when the key is placed into
the ignition, and turned out of the LOCK position
toward the RUN position.
The Easy Entry/Easy Exit feature will be automatically
disabled if the seat is already positioned closer than 0.9
inches (23 mm) forward of the rear stop. At this position
there is no benefit to the driver by moving the seat for
Easy Exit or Easy Entry.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 111
3
8. Tachometer
The red segments indicate the maximum permissible
engine revolutions-per-minute (r.p.m. x 1000) for each
gear range. Before reaching the red area, ease up on the
accelerator.
9. Security Alarm System Indicator Light Ð If
Equipped
This light will flash rapidly for approximately 15 seconds
when the vehicle theft alarm is arming. The light will
flash at a slower speed continuously after the alarm is set.
The security light will also come on for about three
seconds when the ignition is first turned on.
10. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle, and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
continuous chime will sound when this light turns on.Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
11. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator
Light/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Light
This indicator light starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The ªESP/TCS Indicator Lightº also
flashes when TCS is active. If the ªESP/TCS
Indicator Lightº begins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions. The ªESP/TCS Indicator
Lightº will flash any time the ESP or TCS is active and
helping to improve vehicle stability. If the ªESP/TCS
Indicator Lightº is on solid, the ESP system has been
turned off by the driver or a temporary condition exists
that will not allow full ESP function.
174 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
21. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control system. If a problem
is detected the light will come on while the
engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when
the vehicle has completely stopped and the gear selector
is placed in the P (Park) position. The light should turn
off. If the light remains lit with the engine running your
vehicle will usually be drivable, however, see your dealer
for service as soon as possible. If the light is flashing
when the engine is running, immediate service is re-
quired and you may experience reduced performance, an
elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may
require towing. The light will come on when the ignition
is first turned on and remain on briefly as a bulb check.
If the light does not come on during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.22. Front Fog Light Indicator LightÐ If Equipped
This light shows the front fog lights are ON.
23. Voltage Warning Light
This light monitors the electrical system voltage.
The light should turn on momentarily as the
engine is started. If the light stays on or turns on while
driving, it indicates a problem with the charging system.
Immediate service should be obtained.
24. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 2.3 U.S.
Gallons (8.7 Liters) this light will come on and
remain on until fuel is added. The Low Fuel
Warning Light may turn on and off again, especially
during and after hard braking, accelerations, or turns.
This occurs due to the shifting of the fuel in the tank.
Also, a single chime will sound.
178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into P (Park) only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of R (Reverse) only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the
engine is at idle speed.
²Do not shift from R (Reverse), P (Park), or N
(Neutral) into any forward gear when the engine
is above idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of P
(Park) or N (Neutral) if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of P (Park) and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON position. Always depress thebrake
pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of P
(Park).
238 STARTING AND OPERATING
P (Park)
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking
brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should apply
the park brake, shift the transmission into P (Park),
and remove the key from the ignition. Once the key
is removed from the ignition the transmission shift
lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle.
R (Reverse)
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
N (Neutral)
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can roll
freely. Do not engage in N (Neutral) position while
driving except to coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g., on icy roads).
D (Drive)
The transmission automatically upshifts through fifth
gear. The D (Drive) position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions. For
additional shifting information, refer to ªAutostickº later
in this section.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING
can also provide the driver with more control during
passing, city driving, mountain driving, trailer towing,
and many other situations.
Autostick Operation
By placing the shift lever in the D (Drive) position the
lever can be moved from side to side. This allows the
driver to engage the AutoStick mode. Moving the shift
lever to the right (+) or the left (-) will engage the
Autostick mode. In normal driving mode (Boxed ªDº
displayed in the PRNDL), moving the shift lever to the
right (+) will engage the Autostick mode putting the
transmission in the currently engaged gear. Moving the
shift lever to the Left (-) will engage the Autostick mode
and downshift the transmission 1 gear. For example, the
transmission is in Normal Mode and is currently operat-
ing in 3rd gear, a boxed D is displayed in the PRNDL, a
push to the right will engage the Autostick mode in 3rd
and a Boxed 3 will be displayed in the PRNDL. A push to
the left (-) will engage Autostick mode and downshift to2nd gear and a Boxed 2 will be displayed in the PRNDL.
Once Autostick mode is engaged a move to the Right (+)
or left (-) will trigger a upshift (+) or trigger a downshift
(-).
NOTE:In the Autostick mode, the transmission will
only shift up and down when Left or Right (D-/D+) is
manually selected by the driver.
The transmission will not allow a downshift if the
downshift would result in a engine overspeed condition.
The transmission will always allow a upshift from 1st to
2nd gear, however 2nd - 3rd, 3rd - 4th, and 4th ± 5th
upshifts will not be allowed if the vehicle speed is to low
to maintain operation in the selected gear. The transmis-
sion will automatically downshift as the vehicle slows to
a stop.
When in the Autostick mode, as the engine RPM nears
the engine maximum speed, an ªUPSHIFTº message will
appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
242 STARTING AND OPERATING
(EVIC) portion of your instrument cluster. This message
appears in order to alert the driver that the engine speed
is approaching it's maximum value and a upshift to the
next gear is required. In the event that the driver does not
upshift, the engine control system will limit the engine
speed to protect the engine. Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle
Information Centerº in Section 4 of this manual.
Shifting into or out of the Autostick mode can be done at
any time without taking your foot off the accelerator
pedal. When the driver wishes to engage Autostick,
simply move the shift lever to the Left or Right (D-/D+)
position while in D (Drive).
Hold the shift lever to the right for at least one second to
disengage Autostick. The transmission will now operate
automatically; shifting between the five available gears.Autostick General Information
²
You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
²The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
²Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
²Avoid using speed control when Autostick is engaged.
²The transmission will not automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while Autostick is
engaged.
²Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autostick is engaged.
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
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