
Maintenance schedule....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................... 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-4
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-4
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-6
2.5-liter non-turbo models ................................... 11-6
2.5-liter turbo models ......................................... 11-7
3.0-liter models .................................................. 11-8
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-9
Checking the oil level ......................................... 11-9
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-10
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-12
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .......................................... 11-13
Cooling system ................................................ 11-13
Hose and connections ...................................... 11-14
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-14
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-17
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-17
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-20
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-20
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-20
2.5-liter models ................................................ 11-20
3.0-liter models ................................................ 11-21
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-21
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-21
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-22Automatic transmission fluid
.......................... 11-22
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-22
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) .......... 11-24
Checking the oil level ...................................... 11-24
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-25
Rear differential gear oil .................................. 11-25
Checking the gear oil level ............................... 11-25
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-27
Power steering fluid ........................................ 11-28
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-28
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-28
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-29
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-29
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-29
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) ............................... 11-30
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-30
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-30
Brake booster .................................................. 11-31
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-31
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-31
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ........................................................ 11-31
Clutch pedal (Manual transmission vehicles) ........................................................ 11-32
Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-32
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-32
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-32
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ........................................................... 11-33Maintenance and service
11 

11-10Maintenance and service
.Be careful not to spill engine oil
when adding it. If oil touches the 
exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad
smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If
engine oil gets on the exhaust
pipe, be sure to wipe it off.
If you check the oil level just after stopping
the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan before checking
the level. 
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do not 
add any additional oil above the upper
level when the engine is cold. 
In 2.5-liter-engine models, the dipstick has 
a notch above the upper level. 
Just after driving or while the engine is 
warm, the engine oil level reading may be 
in a range between the upper level and 
the notch mark. This is caused by thermal
expansion of the engine oil. & Changing the oil and oil filter
Change the oil and oil filter according to
the maintenance schedule in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
The engine oil and oil filter must be
changed more frequently than listed in
the maintenance schedule when driving
on dusty roads, when short trips are
frequently made, or when driving in extremely cold weather. 
1. Warm up the engine by letting the 
engine idle for approximately 10 minutes
to ease draining the engine oil. 
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and 
stop the engine. 
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
2.5-liter models
3.0-liter models
4. Drain out the engine oil by removing 
the drain plug while the engine is still
warm. The used oil should be drained into
an appropriate container and disposed of
properly.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself with 
hot engine oil.
5. Wipe the seating surface of the drain
plug with a clean cloth and tighten it
securely with a new sealing washer after
the oil has completely drained out.   

2.5-liter models
3.0-liter models
6. Open the access cover by removing 
the clips and turning the access cover
counterclockwise. The oil filter will beexposed.
2.5-liter models
3.0-liter models
7. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. 
8. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a 
thin coat of engine oil to the seal. 9. Clean the rubber seal seating area of
the bottom of engine and install the oil
filter by hand turning. Be careful not to
twist or damage the seal. 
10. Tighten the oil filter by the amount 
indicated in the following table after the
seal makes contact with the bottom ofengine.
Model Oil filter
color Part
number Amount of
rotation
2.5-liter models Black
15208AA100 1 rotation
White 15208AA09A 2/3–3/4
rotation
3.0-liter models Black 15208AA031
3/4
rotation
CAUTION
. Never over tighten the oil filter
because that can result in an oil leak.
. Thoroughly wipe off any engine
oil that has spilled over the 
exhaust pipe and/or under-cover. 
If left unremoved, the oil could
catch fire.
11. Reinstall the cover under the oil filter. 
12. Pour engine oil through the filler neck. Maintenance and service
11-11
– CONTINUED –     

11-12Maintenance and service
Oil capacity (Guideline):
2.5-liter models: 4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 
Imp qt) 
3.0-liter models: 5.8 US qt (5.5 liters, 4.8 
Imp qt)
The oil quantity indicated above is only a 
guideline. The necessary quantity of oil
depends on the quantity of oil that has
been drained. The quantity of drained oil
differs slightly depending on the tempera-
ture of the oil and the time the oil is left
flowing out. After refilling the engine with
oil, therefore, you must use the dipstick to
confirm that the level is correct. 
13. Start the engine and make sure that no 
oil leaks appear around the filter ’s rubber
seal and drain plug. 
14. Run the engine until it reaches the 
normal operating temperature. Then stop
the engine and wait a few minutes to allow
the oil drain back. Check the oil level
again and if necessary, add more engineoil. &
Recommended grade and viscosity
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recom- 
mended grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC GF-4, which can be identified with 
the ILSAC certification mark (Starburst mark) 
or API classification SM with the words“ENERGY CONSERVING ”
These recommended oil grades can be 
identified by looking for either or both of 
the following marks displayed on the oil
container.
ILSAC Certification Mark (Starburst Mark)
API Service label 
1) Indicates the oil quality by API designa- tions
2) Indicates the SAE oil viscosity grade 
3) Indicates that the oil has fuel saving capabilities   

Tie-down hooks..................................................... 6-16
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center
Console .................................................................. 6-5
Ventilators ............................................................... 4-3
Center and side ventilators ............................................ 4-3
Changing Flat tire ................................................................... 9-4
Oil and oil filter ..................................................... 11-10
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-26
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ...................................................................... 3-25
Checking
Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-31
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-31
Clutch function ...................................................... 11-32
Clutch pedal free play ............................................ 11-32
Engine oil level ...................................................... 11-9
Fluid level ............................... 11-22, 11-28, 11-29, 11-30
Gear oil level ........................................................ 11-25
Child restraint systems ............................................... 1-27
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ................................ 1-30
Lower and tether anchorages .................................. 1-35
Child safety .................................................................... 5
Locks ................................................................... 2-19
Chime Key ........................................................................ 3-5 Seatbelt ........................................................ 1-14, 3-22
Cleaning
Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5 Ventilator grille
....................................................... 4-12
Climate control system Automatic ............................................................... 4-8
Manual ................................................................... 4-3
Clock ........................................................................ 3-34
Clutch Fluid ................................................................... 11-30
Pedal .................................................................. 11-32
Coat hook. ................................................................. 6-10
Cooling system ........................................................ 11-13
Corrosion protection ............................................ 8-10, 10-4
Cruise control ............................................................ 7-46
Set indicator light .................................................... 3-33
Cruise control indicator light ......................................... 3-33
Cup holder ................................................................. 6-7
Front passenger ’s.................................................... 6-8
Rear passenger ’s .................................................... 6-8
D
Daytime running light system ....................................... 3-40
Differential gear oil
Front ................................................................... 11-24
Rear ................................................................... 11-25
Dimensions ................................................................ 12-2
Disarming the system ................................................. 2-17
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................ 7-34
Dome light ......................................................... 6-2, 11-56
Door
Locks ..................................................................... 2-5
Door open warning light .............................................. 3-29
Drive belts ............................................................... 11-20 Index
14-3 

14-6Index
Low fuel warning light ................................... 3-7, 3-21, 3-29
LSD (Limited slip differential) ....................................... 7-33
Lumbar support ........................................................... 1-8
M 
Main fuse ................................................................. 11-49
Maintenance Precautions ........................................................... 11-3
Schedule .............................................................. 11-3
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-23
Tools .................................................................... 9-18
Manual Climate control system ............................................. 4-3
Mode ............................................................ 7-21, 7-27
Seat ....................................................................... 1-3
Transmission oil .................................................... 11-21
Transmission-5 speeds ........................................... 7-15
Transmission-6 speeds ........................................... 7-17
Map light ........................................................... 6-2, 11-57
Maximum load limits ................................................... 8-22
Meters and gauges .............................................. 3-5, 3-18
Mirrors ...................................................................... 3-48
Moonroof .................................................................. 2-26
Multi-information display ................................................ 3-8
N
New vehicle break-in driving .......................................... 8-2
O Odometer .................................................................. 3-19
Odometer/Tripmeter ..................................................... 3-9 Off road driving
........................................................... 8-6
Oil filter ................................................................... 11-10
Oil level
Engine .................................................................. 11-9
Front differential gear (AT vehicles) ... ...................... 11-24
Manual transmission ............................................. 11-21
Rear differential .................................................... 11-25
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-26
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-50
Outside temperature indicator ...................................... 3-35
Overhead console ....................................................... 6-7
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-12
PParking Brake stroke ........................................................ 11-33
Light switch ........................................................... 3-42
Parking your vehicle ................................................... 7-44
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Power
Door locking switches .............................................. 2-7
Seat ....................................................................... 1-4
Steering ................................................................ 7-33
Steering fluid ........................................................ 11-28
Windows ............................................................... 2-20
Precautions against vehicle modification ................ 1-27, 1-64
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-9
Printed antenna ........................................................... 5-2