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Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged:
Push and hold the SET−until the desired
lower speed is reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, brie y
push the SET−. Each time this is done, the
vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle slows down to the previous cruise
control speed that was set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control works on hills
depends upon the vehicle’s speed, load, and the
steepness of the hills. When going up steep
hills, you might have to step on the accelerator
pedal to maintain the vehicle’s speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a
lower gear to keep the vehicle at a lower speed.When the brakes are applied this turns off the
cruise control. Many drivers nd this to be
too much trouble and do not use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to disengage the cruise
control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; when cruise
control disengages, the cruise symbol in the
instrument panel cluster goes out.
Press the on/off button, to turn off the cruise
control system.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased,
when the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
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When the DRL system is on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, parking lamps, and instrument
panel lights are not on unless you turn the
exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamp system when they are needed.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic
headlamp system turns on the headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such
as the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, and
the instrument panel lights. The radio lights
will also be dim.
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel that controls the automatic
headlamp system. Make sure it is not covered or
the automatic headlamp system will be on
when it is not needed.
There is a delay in the transition between the
daytime and nighttime operation of the DRL and
the automatic headlamp systems so that
driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRLand automatic headlamp systems will only be
affected when the light sensor sees a change in
lighting lasting longer than this delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system comes on
immediately. Once you leave the garage, it takes
about one minute for the automatic headlamp
system to change to DRL if it is light outside.
During that delay, the instrument panel cluster may
not be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control is in the full
bright position. See “Instrument Panel Brightness
Control” underInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 151.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the ignition on and set the
exterior light switch to the off/on position. For
Canadian vehicles, the transmission must stay in
PARK (P) for this function.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamps when they are needed.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You
will know how fast you are going, how much fuel you are using, and many other things you will need
to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this instrument panel cluster, which includes indicator warning lights and gages that are
explained on the following pages.
United States version shown, Canada Similar
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Passenger Safety Belt Reminder
Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to ON or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds to
remind the front passenger to buckle their safety
belt. This would only occur if the passenger airbag
is enabled. SeePassenger Sensing System on
page 77for more information. The passenger
safety belt light will also come on and stay on for
several seconds, then it will ash for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the
passenger remains
unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster, which shows the airbag
symbol. The system checks the airbag’s
electrical system for malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the airbag sensor, the
pretensioners, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 67.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds.
Then the light should go
out. This means the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on when you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
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