The engine oil, transmission fluid, and axle lubricant
installed at the factory is high-quality and energy-
conserving. Oil, fluid, and lubricant changes should be
consistent with anticipated climate and conditions under
which vehicle operations will occur. The recommended
viscosity and quality grades is shown in Section 7.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
NOTE:A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered as a normal part of the break-in and
not interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
23. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should turn on when the
ignition switch is first turned ON and remain on briefly
as a bulb check. If the light stays on, or turns on while
driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s non-essential
electrical devices (i.e., radio) or slightly increase engine
speed (if at idle). If the light remains on, it means that the
charging system is experiencing a problem. See your
local authorized dealer to obtain service immediately.
24. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD. The OBD system monitors engine
and automatic transmission control systems. The
MIL will turn on when the key is in the ON position
before engine start. If the MIL does not come on when
turning the key from OFF to ON, have the condition
checked promptly.Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the MIL
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The MIL flashes to alert you to serious conditions that
could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs. (See page 387 for more
information.)
25. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle, and shut OFF the engine as soon as possible. A
single chime will sound when this light turns on.
208 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Over-Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the trans-
mission oil temperature. If the transmission exceeds nor-
mal operating temperature, the transmission will change
the way it shifts to help control the condition. This may
result in a slightly different feeling or response during
normal operation in DRIVE position. After the transmis-
sion cools down, it will return to normal operation.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to the ON
position, and the brake pedal must be depressed.
BTSI Override
There is an override for the BTSI that allows you to move
the shift lever out of the PARK position if an electricalsystem malfunction occurs (i.e., dead battery). To access
the override, remove the rubber tray from the storage bin
located to the right of the shift lever. The override access
port is at the top of the bin to the right of the shift lever
gate.
Brake Interlock Override
304 STARTING AND OPERATING
CAUTION!
•Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
314 STARTING AND OPERATING
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................317,321
Fluid Check....................... 411,437
Hoses.............................. 410
Master Cylinder....................... 411
Parking............................. 315
Warning Light.....................201,317
Brakes.............................317,410
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 304
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 73
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 139
Bulb Replacement.....................427,428
Bulbs,Light .......................... 77,427
Calibration, Compass..................... 220
Capacities, Fluid........................ 435
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 361
Oil (Engine).......................... 392
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 406Car Washes............................ 415
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 75,360
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 364
Catalytic Converter...................... 395
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............232,251
Cellular Phone..................... 88,251,253
Certification Label....................... 364
Chains, Tire............................ 343
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 329
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 388
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 74
Checks, Safety........................... 74
Child Restraint.................. 64,65,66,69,71
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 68,69
Child Safety Locks........................ 30
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 358
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 416
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 402
460 INDEX
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 394
Air Conditioning....................290,400
Engine Fuel.......................... 395
Engine Oil........................393,436
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 393
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 370
Turn Signal...................... 77,138,199
Flash-To-Pass........................... 138
Flooded Engine Starting................... 300
Floor Console.......................... 190
Fluid, Brake........................... 437
Fluid Capacities......................... 435
Fluid Leaks............................. 77
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 413
Brake............................... 411
Cooling System....................... 404Engine Oil........................... 391
Power Steering........................ 400
Fluids ................................ 436
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 436
Fog Lights..........................137,199
Folding Rear Seat........................ 125
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 380
Front Suspension Ball Joints................ 401
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 414
Fuel................................. 357
Adding............................. 361
Additives............................ 359
CleanAir ............................ 358
Ethanol............................. 358
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................... 361
Filter ............................... 395
Gasoline............................ 357
Gauge.............................. 205
Hoses.............................. 409
464 INDEX
Settings, Personal........................ 226
Shifting ............................... 301
Automatic Transmission...............301,305
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage.............. 44
Shoulder Belts........................... 40
Side Airbag........................... 50,57
Side Curtain (Window Airbag)............... 50
Side View Mirror Adjustment................ 85
Signals, Turn...................... 77,138,199
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 312
SmartBeams........................... 134
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 343
Snow Tires............................ 344
Sound Systems (Radio).................232,251
Spark Plugs.........................394,436
Specifications
Fuel (Gasoline)........................ 436
Oil ................................ 436
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........150,153Speedometer........................... 199
Starting............................. 25,297
Automatic Transmission................. 298
Cold Weather......................... 299
Emergency (Jump Starting)............... 377
Engine Fails to Start.................... 300
Remote.............................. 25
Starting and Operating.................... 297
Starting Procedures...................... 297
Steering
Column Controls...................... 137
Linkage............................. 401
Power...........................319,400
TiltColumn .......................... 147
Wheel, Tilt........................... 147
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 281
Storage............................190,427
Storage, Vehicle......................290,427
474 INDEX