Page 76 of 417
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
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 for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all 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,
coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 170 of 417

holding the button in resets the trip odometer. Also,
pressing the “Reset” button will clear out any warning
messages in the odometer display.
13. Odometer/Trip Odometer
A vacuum fluorescent display indicates the total distance
the vehicle has been driven. Also, the cluster will display,
replacing the odometer/trip odometer, vehicle warning
messages such as: door/gate/glass ajar and low washer
fluid. See appropriate sections for more information.
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the overhead
console, the warnings “door”, “GATE”, “GLASS”, and
“LOWASH” will be displayed in the EVIC display (not in
the instrument cluster). For additional information, refer
to “Overhead Console — If Equipped” in Section 3.
NOTE:The warnings “LOCOOL” and “GASCAP” will
always be displayed in the odometer display.U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
14. Cruise Indicator Light
This indicator lights when the speed control
system is turned ON.
15. Oil Pressure Warning 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, have the system checked by your autho-
rized dealer.
170 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 258 of 417
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the indicators appear
in 2 or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this
point.
Life of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
•Driving style
•Tire pressure
•Distance driven
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 unmounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
258 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 321 of 417

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage
your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions as well as your kind of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine if any apply to you:
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C)
•Stop and go driving
•Extensive engine idling
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trip driving of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C)
•Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service)
•Trailer towing
•Off-road or desert driving
IfANYof these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown in schedule “B” of the “Mainte-
nance Schedules” section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule “A” of the “Main-
tenance Schedules” section of this manual
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 321
7
Page 408 of 417

LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)..... 68,69
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 273
LifeofTires ............................ 258
Lights............................. 117,361
Airbag............................ 64,173
Anti-Lock........................... 168
Back-Up............................. 365
Battery Saver......................... 117
Brake Assist Warning.................132,175
Brake Warning........................ 171
Bulb Replacement...................... 362
Cargo .............................. 154
Center Mounted Stop................... 365
Cruise .............................. 170
Daytime Running...................... 118
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............. 117,119
Dome.............................. 134Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Indicator...........................130,175
Electronic Throttle Control Warning......... 174
Fog ............................. 118,364
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 167
Fuses............................... 353
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 302
Headlight Switch...................... 117
Headlights........................... 362
High Beam Indicator.................... 166
Instrument Cluster................... 117,118
Interior........................... 118,119
Lights On Reminder.................... 118
Low Fuel............................ 173
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 168
Map Reading......................... 120
Oil Pressure.......................... 170
Passing............................. 119
Reading............................. 134
408 INDEX