Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console.
These lamps come on automatically when any door is
opened.
For manual operation, press the button next to each
lamp to turn it on or off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM)
that estimates the battery’s temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best
performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When the
state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage
or a voltage display on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase engine
idle speed to generate more power, whenever needed.
It can temporarily reduce the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or
Service Battery Charging System. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver reduce the
electrical loads as much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-53.
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Air Quality Sensor:Your vehicle may have an air
quality sensor to help limit the climate control system
from pulling in irritating or harmful exhaust fumes from
other vehicles. This sensor, when active, monitors the
air quality in front of your vehicle and switches to air
recirculation when poor quality air is detected outside
your vehicle. The air quality sensor does not activate
due to organic odors like skunk, and may not activate on
many chemical-related odors. If you wish to limit these
types of odors, manually select recirculation.
To activate the air quality sensor, if your vehicle has one,
select the Auto Air Inlet on your climate control display.
The word AUTO is shown in the center of the display
under the outline shape of a vehicle. While the air quality
sensor senses poor quality air, the recirculation graphic
appears above the AUTO symbol.
Under some conditions, the air quality sensor system
does not operate. In cold weather, the system might
not be active (even if AUTO is displayed) because of
concerns of fogging your windows, which may occur by
activating recirculation mode. Also, the air quality sensorsystem does not remain in recirculation mode for
extended periods of time that could cause stuffy or very
dry conditions in the vehicle. Following a poorly running
vehicle for an extended period of time may not keep
recirculation active inde nitely.
The air quality sensor system does not protect against
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or smell.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-39.
Air Conditioning
#
(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air conditioning on or off, and override the automatic
system. When selecting the AUTO fan or AUTO mode,
the air conditioning compressor comes on automatically,
as necessary.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so water might drip underneath the vehicle while
idling or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
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