Page 165 of 432

For quick cool down on hot days press the AUTO button
and adjust the temperature to a cool, comfortable setting.
To achieve maximum cool down, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select recirculation mode.
3. Select the A/C on.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become
too dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air
in your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and uses the information to maintain the
selected temperature when operating in AUTO mode by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the
fan speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing
the sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated,
as necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel near the windshield or
the system will not work properly.
There is also a sensor located behind the front bumper.
This sensor reads the outside air temperature and
helps to maintain the temperature inside the vehicle.
Any cover on the front of the vehicle could give a false
reading in the temperature.
If the outside temperature goes up, the displayed
temperature will not change until:
The vehicle’s speed is above 12 mph (19 km/h)
for ve minutes.
The vehicle’s speed is above 32 mph (52 km/h)
for two and a half minutes.
3-29
Page 166 of 432

These delays prevent false readings. If the temperature
goes down, the outside temperature will be shown
when you start the vehicle. If it has been turned off for
less than three hours, the temperature will be recalled
from the previous vehicle operation.
There is also an inside temperature sensor located to
the left of the ignition switch. The automatic climate
control system uses this sensor to receive information,
so if you block or cover it, the system will not function
properly.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
and moisture condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the oor/defog mode to
clear the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use defrost to remove fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly. To prevent fogging on the
inside of the windows in modes other than oor/defog
and defrost, make sure the air conditioning compressor
is on and recirculation mode is off.Press the mode button until the defog mode appears on
the display.
-(Floor/Defog):This mode directs the air equally
between the windshield and the oor outlets with a small
amount to the side window outlets. When you select
this mode, the system turns off recirculation and runs
the air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
1(Defrost):Pressing this button directs most of the
air to the windshield, with a small amount directed to the
side window outlets. The light on the button will come
on and the digital display will show the defrost mode
symbol and fan speed when the front defrost mode is
being used. In this mode, the system will automatically
turn off the recirculation and run the air-conditioning
compressor, unless the outside temperature is at
or below freezing. Recirculation cannot be selected
while in the defrost mode. Pressing this button again
will return the system to the last operating mode.
For severe ice conditions, turn the driver’s temperature
knob to 90°F (32°C) while in defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
3-30
Page 173 of 432

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 indicates 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 1-43.
This light comes on when
the vehicle is started,
and ashes for a
few seconds. The light
should go out when
the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is
started or comes on while driving, the airbag system
may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced
right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not in ate in a crash, or they
could even in ate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few seconds
when the engine is started. If the light does not come on
then, have it xed immediately. If there is a problem with
the airbag system, an airbag Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-57for more information.
3-37
Page 203 of 432