5-5 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Checking Things Under the
Hood
Hood ReleaseTo open the hood, do the following:
1617949
1) Pull the handle with this symbol on it. It
is located inside the vehicle, to the left
of the steering column.
1733505
2) Then go to the front of the vehicle and
release the secondary hood release by
pushing the lever up.
3) Lift the hood.Before closing the hood, be sure all the
filler caps are on properly. Then pull the
hood down and close it firmly.
WARNING
An electric fan under the hood can
start up and injure you even when the
engine is not running. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
WARNING
Things that burn can get on hot
engine parts and start a fire. These
include liquids like fuel, oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others could be burned. Be
careful not to drop or spill things that
will burn onto a hot engine.
5-6 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Engine Compartment OverviewWhen you open the hood, here is what you will see:
1708418
A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
Refer to “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in this section.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View).
Refer to “Power Steering Fluid” in this section.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). Refer to “When to Add
Engine Oil” under “Engine Oil” in this section.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick.
Refer to “Checking Engine Oil” under “Engine Oil” in this sec-
tion.
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. Refer to “Brake Fluid” under “Brakes”F. Underhood Fuse Block.
Refer to “Engine Compartment Fuse Block” in this section.
G. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
Refer to “Jump Starting” in this section.
H. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank.
Refer to “Cooling System” in this section.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. Refer to “Adding
Washer Fluid” under “Windshield Washer Fluid” in this sec-
tion.
5-12 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
If you have to add coolant more than four
times a year, have your dealer check your
cooling system.
Checking Coolant
1631523
The surge tank is located on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment. Refer to“Engine Compartment Overview” in this
section for more information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level
should be at the COLD FILL line. When
your engine is warm, the level should be at
the COLD FILL line or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL
® coolant mixture at the surge
tank, but only when the engine is cool.
When replacing the pressure cap, make
sure it is hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine OverheatingThere is a coolant temperature gage and a
warning light on the instrument panel clus-
ter that indicate an overheated engine con-
dition. Refer to “Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage” and “Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light” in “Warning
Lights, Gages, and Indicators” in the
“Instrument Panel” section for more infor-
mation.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION
If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling
system, you could damage your vehi-
cle. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this man-
ual for the cooling system. Refer to
“Recommended Fluids and Lubri-
cants” in “Maintenance Schedule” in
the “Maintenance Schedule” section
for more information.
WARNING
Turning the surge tank pressure cap
when the engine and radiator are hot
can allow steam and scalding liquids
to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap – even a little – when the engine
and radiator are hot.
WARNING
You can be burned if you spill cool-
ant on hot engine parts. Coolant con-
tains ethylene glycol, and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot enough. Do
not spill coolant on a hot engine.
WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you just
open the hood. Stay away from the
engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it. Turn it off and get every-
one away from the vehicle until it
cools down. Wait until there is no
sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles
engine is overheated, the liquids in it
can catch fire. You or others could be
badly burned. Stop your engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle
until the engine is cool.
Refer to “Overheated Engine Protec-
tion Operating Mode” in this section
for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
5-13 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning, but
see or hear no steam, the problem may not
be too serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no
sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
1) In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is
safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2) Set the climate controls to the highest
heat setting and fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warn-
ing, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive
slower for about 10 minutes. If the warning
does not come back on, you can drive nor-
mally.
If the warning continues and you have not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can
idle the engine for three minutes while you
are parked. If you still have the warning,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to
get service help right away.
Overheated Engine Protection Operat-
ing Mode
This emergency operating mode allows
your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in
an emergency situation. If an overheated
engine condition exists, an overheat pro-
tection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a significant
loss in power and engine performance.
The engine coolant temperature warning
light on the instrument panel will come on
to indicate the vehicle has entered over-
heated engine protection operating mode.
The temperature gage will also indicate an
overheat condition exists. Drivingextended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer
in the overheat protection mode should be
avoided.
Cooling SystemWhen you decide it is safe to lift the hood,
here is what you will see:
1733770
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION
If your engine catches fire because
you keep driving with no coolant,
your vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be cov-
ered by your warranty. Refer to
“Overheated Engine Protection Oper-
ating Mode” in this section for infor-
mation on driving to a safe place in
an emergency.
CAUTION
After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating mode, to
avoid engine damage, allow the
engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of cool-
ant loss, change the oil and reset the
oil life system. Refer to “Engine Oil”
in this section.
5-20 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
3) Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Unplug unnecessary accessories
plugged into the cigarette lighter or the
accessory power outlets. Turn off the
radio and all lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. And it could save the
radio!
4) Open the hood on the other vehicle and
locate the positive (+) and negative (–)
terminal locations on that vehicle.
You will not use your vehicle’s battery
for jump starting. It has a remote posi-
tive (+) jump starting terminal, located
on the underhood fuse block, for that
purpose. Refer to “Engine Compart-
ment Overview” in this section for more
information on location.
871917
To uncover the remote positive (+) ter-
minal, press the tab at the bottom of thefuse block and lift the cover up.
Always use the remote positive (+) ter-
minal instead of the positive (+) termi-
nal on the battery.
5) Check that the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here
are some basic things you should
know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+)
or to a remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Negative will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or
to a remote negative (–) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
WARNING
Fans or other moving engine parts
can injure you badly. Keep your
hands away from moving parts once
the engine is running.
WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode. People
have been hurt doing this, and some
have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add water
to the battery installed in your new
vehicle. But if a battery has filler
caps, be sure the right amount of
fluid is there. If it is low, add water to
take care of that first. If you do not,
explosive gas could be present.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Battery fluid contains acid that can
burn you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on
your skin, flush the place with water
and get medical help immediately.
CAUTION
If you connect a negative cable to the
Engine Control Module (ECM), ECM
mounting bracket or any cables that
attach to the ECM bracket, you may
damage the ECM. Attach the negative
cable to a heavy, unpainted metal
engine part, other than the ECM, ECM
bracket or cables attached to the
ECM bracket.
5-53 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Service Parts Identification LabelThis label is on the inside of the glove box.
It is very helpful if you ever need to order
parts. The label has the following informa-
tion:
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equip-
ment
Do not remove this label from the vehicle.
Electrical SystemAdd-On Electrical EquipmentAdd-on equipment can drain your vehicle’s
battery, even if your vehicle is not operat-
ing.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to add anything electrical to
your vehicle, refer to “Servicing Your Air-
bag-Equipped Vehicle” in “Airbag System”
in the “Seats and Restraint Systems” sec-
tion.Windshield Wiper FusesThe windshield wiper motor is protected by
a circuit breaker and a fuse. If the motor
overheats due to heavy snow or ice, the
wiper will stop until the motor cools. If the
overload is caused by some electrical
problem, have it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
OptionsCircuit breakers in the fuse panel protect
the power seats. When the current load is
too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and
closes, protecting the circuit until the prob-
lem is fixed.Fuses and Circuit BreakersThe wiring circuits in your vehicle are pro-
tected from short circuits by fuses and cir-
cuit breakers. This greatly reduces the
chance of circuit overload and fire caused
by electrical problems.
Your vehicle has an underhood fuse block
and an instrument panel fuse block.
To identify and check fuses, circuit break-
ers, and relays, refer to the Fuse Usage
Chart on the inside surface of the fuse
panel door.
CAUTION
Do not add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your
dealer first. Some electrical equip-
ment can damage your vehicle and
the damage would not be covered by
your warranty. Some add-on electri-
cal equipment can keep other compo-
nents from working as they should.
6-4 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
78J00-03E
Service Instruction Maintenance I Maintenance II
Inspect engine air cleaner fil-
ter. If necessary, replace filter. Refer to “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in “Checking Things Under the
Hood” in the “Service and Appearance Care” section.
If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.•
Inspect suspension and steer-
ing components. Visually inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts, signs of wear.
Inspect power steering cables for proper hook-up, binding,
cracks, chafing, etc. (if equipped).•
Inspect engine cooling sys-
tem. Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen, or deteriorated.
Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace parts as needed.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator
and air conditioning condenser is recommended at least once a
year.•
Inspect wiper blades. Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged or that streak
or miss areas of the windshield.•
Inspect restraint system com-
ponents. Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buck-
les, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag coverings, and have
them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.•
6-9 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
78J00-03E
Service Instruction Maintenance
Inspect engine air cleaner fil-
ter. If necessary, replace filter. Refer to “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in “Checking Things Under the Hood” in the
“Service and Appearance Care” section.
If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect the filter at each engine oil
change.•
Inspect suspension and steer-
ing components. Visually inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for damaged, loose,
or missing parts, signs of wear.
Inspect power steering cables for proper hook-up, binding, cracks, chafing, etc.
(if equipped).•
Inspect engine cooling sys-
tem. Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they are cracked, swollen, or
deteriorated.
Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace parts as needed.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and pres-
sure cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.•
Inspect wiper blades. Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged or that streak or miss areas of
the windshield.•
Inspect restraint system com-
ponents. Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors, and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag coverings, and have them repaired or
replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.•