Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-
able.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 79
2
Headlights On with Wipers (Available with Auto
Headlights Only)
When this feature is active, the headlights will turn on
approximately 10 seconds after the wipers are turned on
if the headlight switch is placed in the AUTO position. In
addition, the headlights will turn off when the wipers are
turned off if they were turned on by this feature.
The Headlights On with Wipers feature can be turned on
or off through the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) — if equipped. For details, refer to ”Headlights
On with Wipers,” under “Personal Settings (Customer
Programmable Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle In-
formation Center” in Section 4 of this manual.
SmartBeams — If Equipped
The SmartBeam system provides increased forward light-
ing at night by automating high beam control through
the use of a digital camera mounted on the inside
rearview mirror. This camera detects vehicle specific lightand automatically switches from high beams to low
beams until the approaching vehicle is out of view.
To Activate:
1. Select “Automatic High Beams — ON” through the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). For details,
refer to “Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter” in Section 4 of this manual.
2. Rotate the headlight switch counter-clockwise to the
AUTO (A) position.
3. Push the Multi-Function Lever away from you to
switch the headlights to the HIGH BEAM position.
NOTE:This system will not activate until the vehicle is
at or above 25 mph (40 km/h).
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
To Deactivate:
Perform either of the following steps to deactivate the
SmartBeam system.
1. Pull the Multi-Function Lever toward you to switch
the headlights from the HIGH BEAM to the LOW BEAM
position.
2. Rotate the headlight switch clockwise from the AUTO
(A) to the ON position.
NOTE:Broken, muddy, or obstructed headlights and
taillights of vehicles in the field of view will cause
headlights to remain on longer (closer to the vehicle).
Also, dirt, film, and other obstructions on the windshield
or camera lens will cause the system to function improp-
erly.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for 90 seconds (programmable) when leaving your ve-
hicle in an unlighted area.
To activate the delay feature, turn off the ignition switch
while the headlights are still on. Then, turn off the
headlights within 45 seconds. The delay interval begins
when headlight switch is turned off.
If you turn the headlights, park lights, or ignition switch
on again, the system will cancel the delay.
If you turn the headlights off before the ignition, they will
turn off in the normal manner.
NOTE:The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds
of turning the ignition off to activate this feature.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
3
The Headlight delay time is programmable on vehicles
equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). For details, refer to “Delay Turning Headlights
Off,” under “Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.
Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped
The high beam headlights will come on as Daytime
Running Lights, whenever the ignition switch is on, the
headlights are off, and the parking brake is off. The
headlight switch must be used for normal nighttime
driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound to alert the driver
when the driver’s door is opened.
Fog Lights — If Equipped
The front fog light switch is on the headlight
switch below the dimmer control. To activate the
front fog lights, turn on the parking lights or the
low beam headlights and press the fog light switch.
An indicator light in the instrument cluster illuminates
when the fog lights are turned on.
NOTE:The fog lights will operate with the low beam
headlights or parking lights on. However, selecting the
high beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.
Multi-Function Lever
The multi-function lever controls the operation of the
turn signals, headlight beam selection, and passing
lights. The lever is located on the left side of the steering
column.
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch
Push the Multi-Function Lever away from you to switch
the headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the Lever towards
you to switch the headlights back to LOW beam.
Flash to Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the Multi-Function Lever toward you.
This will cause the headlights to turn on at high beam
and remain on until the lever is released.
Overhead Console Map/Reading Lights
These lights are mounted between the sun visors on the
overhead console. Each light is turned ON by pressing
the lens. Press the lens a second time to turn OFF the
light. These lights also turn on when a door is opened, or
when the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter is pressed, or when the dimmer control is
turned fully upward, past the second detent.
Interior Lights
The interior lights come on when a door is opened.
To protect the battery, the interior lights will turn off
automatically 10 minutes after the ignition switch is
moved to the LOCK position. This will occur if the
interior lights were switched on manually or are on
Overhead Console
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
15. Trip Odometer Button
Trip Odometer Button — Base Cluster
The word\4TRIP\4will appear when this button is pressed.
Push in and hold the button for two seconds when the
trip odometer displays to reset it to 0 miles (kilometers).
A second press of the button will display the outside
temperature in the odometer.Trip Odometer Button — Premium Cluster
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of two trip odometer settings. The letter “A” or “B”
will appear when in the trip odometer mode. Push in and
hold the button for two seconds to reset the trip odometer
to 0 miles (kilometers). The odometer must be in trip
mode to reset it.
16. High Beam Light
This light will turn on when the high beam
headlights are ON. Push the Multi-Function lever
away from the steering wheel to switch the headlights to
high beam. (See page 134 for more information.)
17. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
208 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
“Confirmation of Voice Commands” — If
Equipped
When ON is selected, all voice commands from the
UConnect™ system are confirmed. To make your selec-
tion, press and release the FUNCTION SELECT button
until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
“Park Assist System” — If Equipped
When ON is selected, the system will scan for objects
behind the vehicle when the transmission is in the “R”
(Reverse) or “N” (Neutral) position. To make your selec-
tion, press and release the FUNCTION SELECT button
until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
“Turn by Turn Navigation” — If Equipped
When ON is selected, the Turn-by-Turn directions will
appear in the display as the vehicle approaches a desig-
nated turn within a programmed route. To make your
selection, press and release the FUNCTION SELECT
button until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
“Display Units of Measure in”
The EVIC, odometer, and navigation system (if
equipped) can be changed between English and Metric
units of measure. To make your selection, press and
release the FUNCTION SELECT button until “US” or
“METRIC” appears.
“Automatic High Beams” — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, the high beam headlights
will deactivate automatically under certain conditions. To
make your selection, press and release the FUNCTION
SELECT button until “ON” or “OFF” appears. Refer to
“SmartBeams” in section 3 of this manual for more
information.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 231
4
\3Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
Park/Turn Light, Inner Park Light, And
Outer Park Light – 300 Models............460
\3Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
And Park/Turn Light – 300C.............462
\3Backup Light, Side Marker Light, And Tail/
Stop Turn Light — 300 Models............465
\3Tail/Stop, Tail, Turn Signal Light, And Backup
Light — 300C Models..................468\3License Light........................472
\1Fluids And Capacities...................473
\1Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts........475
\3Engine.............................475
\3Chassis............................476
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 413
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