3-5 INSTRUMENT PANEL
78J00-03E
(Delay Adjustment):
Move the lever to the delay position to
choose a delayed wiping cycle. Turn the
intermittent adjust band down for a longer
delay or up for a shorter delay.
(Off):
Move the lever to this position to turn off
the windshield wipers.
(Mist):
Move the lever all the way down to mist
and release for a single wiping cycle. The
windshield wipers will stop after one wipe
and then return to the original position. If
more wipes are needed, hold the lever on
mist longer.
Windshield WasherThere is a button marked with the wind-
shield washer symbol at the end of the
windshield wiper lever. Press this button to
spray washer fluid on the windshield. The
wipers will run for a few cycles to clear the
window and then either stop or return to
your preset speed. For more wash cycles,
press and hold the button longer.
Rear Window Wiper/WasherThe rear wiper and rear wash buttons are
located in the switchbank above the shift
lever.
(Rear Wiper):
Press this button to turn the rear wiper on
and off. When the button is on, the rear
wiper will run continuously at a preset
speed.
(Wash):
Press this button to spray washer fluid on
the rear window. The window wiper will
also come on. Release the button when
enough fluid has been sprayed on the win-
dow. The rear wiper will run a few more
cycles after it is released. If the rear wiper
function was already on, prior to pressing
the wash button, it will continue to stay on
until you press the wiper button again.
The rear window washer uses the same
fluid that is in the windshield washer reser-
voir. Refer to “Windshield Washer Fluid” in
“Checking Things Under the Hood” in the
“Service and Appearance Care” section.
Cruise ControlWith cruise control, you can maintain a
speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more
without keeping your foot on the accelera-
tor. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds
below 25 mph (40 km/h).
Setting Cruise Control
WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use your
washer until the windshield is
warmed. Otherwise the washer fluid
can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at a
steady speed. So, do not use your
cruise control on winding roads or in
heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could
lose control. Do not use cruise con-
trol on slippery roads.
WARNING
If you leave your cruise control on
when you are not using cruise, you
might hit a button and go into cruise
when you do not want to. You could
be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off
until you want to use cruise control.
4-10 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass
makes lights dazzle and flash more than
clean glass would, making the pupils of
your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that the headlamps light up far
less of a roadway when you are in a turn or
curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it
is easier to pick out dimly lighted objects.
Just as the headlamps should be checked
regularly for proper aim, so should your
eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers
suffer from night blindness – the inability to
see in dim light – and are not even aware
of it.Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
1527470
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trou-
ble. On a wet road, you cannot stop, accel-
erate, or turn as well because your tire-to-
road traction is not as good as on dryroads. And, if your tires do not have much
tread left, you will get even less traction. It
is always wise to go slower and be cau-
tious if rain starts to fall while you are driv-
ing. The surface may get wet suddenly
when your reflexes are tuned for driving on
dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in
good shape, a heavy rain can make it
harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road,
and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiper and
washer system in good shape and keep
your windshield washer fluid reservoir filled
with washer fluid. Replace your windshield
wiper inserts when they show signs of
streaking or missing areas on the wind-
shield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.
Driving too fast through large water pud-
dles or even going through some carwashes can cause problems, too. The
water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow
down before you hit them.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much
water can build up under your tires that
they can actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it
can if your tires do not have much tread or
if the pressure in one or more is low. It can
happen if a lot of water is standing on the
road. If you can see reflections from trees,
telephone poles, or other vehicles, and
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there
could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher
speeds. There just is not a hard and fast
rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is
to slow down when it is raining.
WARNING
Wet brakes can cause accidents.
They may not work as well in a quick
stop and may cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle. After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car wash, apply
the brake pedal lightly until the
brakes work normally.
4-12 DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
78J00-03E
The most important advice on freeway
driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to
the right. Drive at the same speed most of
the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic
flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a
passing lane.
At the entrance, there is usually a ramp
that leads to the freeway. If you have a
clear view of the freeway as you drive
along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you
expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge
into the gap at close to the prevailing
speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors, and glance over your shoul-
der as often as necessary. Try to blend
smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your
speed to the posted limit or to the prevail-
ing rate if it is slower. Stay in the right lane
unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors.
Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance
quickly over your shoulder to make sure
there is not another vehicle in your blind
spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway,
make certain you allow a reasonable fol-
lowing distance. Expect to move slightly
slower at night.When you want to leave the freeway, move
to the proper lane well in advance. If you
miss your exit, do not, under any circum-
stances, stop and back up. Drive on to the
next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes
quite sharply. The exit speed is usually
posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long TripMake sure you are ready. Try to be well
rested. If you must start when you are not
fresh – such as after a day’s work – do not
plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you
keep it serviced and maintained, it is ready
to go. If it needs service, have it done
before starting out. Of course, you will find
experienced and able service experts in
dealerships all across North America.
They will be ready and willing to help if you
need it.Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Is the reservoir full? Are all windows
clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:
Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
Lamps:
Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:
They are vitally important to a safe, trou-
ble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all
inflated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:
What is the weather outlook along your
route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:
Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway HypnosisIs there actually such a condition as high-
way hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling
asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hyp-
nosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery, along with
the hum of the tires on the road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you
sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it
8-4 INDEX
78J00-03E N
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA)
................................................................................7-3
Navigation/Radio System
...................................................3-67
New Vehicle Break-In
..........................................................2-12
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
..........................6-17
OOff-Road Recovery
..............................................................4-7
Oil Pressure Light ................................................................3-23
Older Children
......................................................................1-18
On-Board Vehicle Computers and Event Data
Recorders
.............................................................................7-2
Other Warning Devices
.......................................................3-3
Outlet Adjustment
...............................................................3-13
Outside Convex Mirrors
......................................................2-21
Outside Power Mirrors ........................................................2-21
Owner Checks and Services
..............................................6-13
PParking Brake
......................................................................2-17
Parking Over Things That Burn
.........................................2-18
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator ....................................3-17
Passenger Compartment Air Filter ....................................3-14
Passenger Folding Seatback
..............................................1-5
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
.............................3-16
Passenger Sensing System
................................................1-39
Passing
.................................................................................4-7
PASS-Key® III+
....................................................................2-10
Power Door Locks ...............................................................2-5
Power Seat
...........................................................................1-1
Power Steering Fluid
...........................................................5-16
Power Windows
...................................................................2-8Power Windows and Other Power Options
...................... 5-53
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............................. 2-6
QQuestions and Answers About Safety Belts
.................... 1-10
RRadio Reception
.................................................................. 3-74
Radio with CD (Base)
.......................................................... 3-41
Radio with CD (MP3) ........................................................... 3-44
Radio with CD and DVD (MP3)
........................................... 3-49
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System
..................... 3-13
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System and
Electronic Climate Controls
............................................... 3-14
Rear Door Security Locks
.................................................. 2-6
Rear Seat Entertainment System
...................................... 3-67
Rear Seat Passengers
........................................................ 1-15
Rear Seats
........................................................................... 1-6
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
.............................................. 3-5
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
.............................. 6-16
Recreational Vehicle Towing
............................................. 4-20
Reduced Engine Power Light ............................................ 3-24
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
............................... 2-1
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
............. 2-2
Remote Vehicle Start
.......................................................... 2-4
Replacement Bulbs
............................................................. 5-24
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
............. 1-43
Reporting Safety Defects
................................................... 7-3
Restraint System Check ..................................................... 1-42
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
..................................... 2-13
Right Front Passenger Position
........................................ 1-15
Running the Engine While Parked .................................... 2-19
8-6 INDEX
78J00-03E
Vehicle Identification
...........................................................5-52
Vehicle Identification Number
............................................7-1
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
...................................5-52
WWarning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
.............................3-15
Warranties
............................................................................7-2
Washing Your Vehicle
.........................................................5-49
Weatherstrips
.......................................................................5-49
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?
..........................................1-38
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?
....................1-38
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
....................................5-36
Wheel Replacement
.............................................................5-37
When It Is Time for New Tires
............................................5-34
When Should an Airbag Inflate? ........................................1-37
Where Are the Airbags?
......................................................1-35
Where to Put the Restraint .................................................1-24
Windows
...............................................................................2-8
Windshield and Wiper Blades
............................................5-50
Windshield Washer
.............................................................3-5
Windshield Washer Fluid
....................................................5-16
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
..............................5-25
Windshield Wiper Fuses
.....................................................5-53
Windshield Wipers
..............................................................3-4
Winter Driving
......................................................................4-14
YYour Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
........................4-1
Your Vehicle and the Environment
....................................6-1