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WARNING!
To use your brakes and accelerator more safely, follow these
tips:
²Do not ªrideº the brakes by resting your foot on the pedal.
This could overheat the brakes and result in unpredictable
braking action, longer stopping distances, or brake dam-
age.
²When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking
can cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmission
whenever possible.
²Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially when
roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water can build up
between the tire tread and the road. This hydroplaning
action can cause loss of traction, braking ability, and
control.
²After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes may
become wet, resulting in decreased performance and un-
predictable braking action. Dry the brakes by gentle,
intermittent pedal action while driving at very slow
speeds.
Brake Pad Break-In
The brakes on your vehicle do not require a long break-in
period, but avoid repeated hard brake applications from
high speeds during initial break-in. Also avoid severe
brake loading such as may be encountered when de-
scending long mountain grades.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason, the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
196 STARTING AND OPERATING
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In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways ±Slow down and use the highest
gear possible.
²In city traffic ±While stopped, put the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
²In city traffic ±While moving, shift into the highest
gear possible to reduce engine RPM.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum heat, the mode control to floor, and the fan controlto HIGH. This allows the heater core to act as a supple-
ment to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªH,º pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned OFF until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
ªH,º turn the engine OFF immediately, and call for
service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 233
6
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WARNING!
Cuts or punctures larger than approximately 0.16 in. (4 mm),
tire damage caused by driving with extremely low tire
pressure or on a flat tire, or a damaged wheel can pose a
hazard while driving. TIREFIT should not be used in such
circumstances. Do not drive the vehicle under such circum-
stances. Contact your nearest authorized dealer for assis-
tance.
Take care not to allow the contents of TIREFIT to come in
contact with hair, eyes or clothing. TIREFIT is harmful if
inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin: It causes
skin, eye and respiratory irritation. Any contact with eyes
or skin should be flushed immediately with plenty of
water. If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT, change
clothing as soon as possible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a physician
immediately. Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children. If
swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with plenty of water
and drink plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting! Consult
a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame or heat source.
Sealing tire with TIREFIT
1. Set the parking brake and turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
2. Move the transmission selector lever to the PARK
position (manual transmission to FIRST or REVERSE
gear) and turn off the engine.
3. Remove the TIREFIT kit and electric air pump from
the area below the cargo compartment carpet.
4. Open flap (2) on the electric air pump.
5. Pull the power plug (4) and air hose (5) along with the
pressure gauge out of the air pump housing.
6. Screw the air hose (5) onto the hose connection on the
TIREFIT sealant bottle (1).
7. Holding the sealant bottle by the top, insert it down-
wards into the recess (3) on the air pump.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 235
6
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Jacking the vehicle should only be necessary in the event
that a tire has been severely damaged, and must be
replaced. (See TIREFIT Tire Repair section for a descrip-
tion of cuts and punctures that may be repairable with
TIREFIT.)²Turn on the hazard warning flashers and park the
vehicle on a firm, level surface; avoid ice or slippery
areas.
²Firmly set the parking brake and shift the transmission
selector lever into PARK (manual transmission to
FIRST or REVERSE gear).
²Turn OFF the engine.
²Block the wheel diagonally
opposite the flat tire.
²Passengers must not remain in the vehicle when the
vehicle is jacked.
238 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach butwithout letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake,
place the transmission in NEUTRAL and turn the igni-
tion OFF for both vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 243
6
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CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission/axle overheating and fail-
ure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using flat
bed equipment. This method is preferable to other types
of towing.
CAUTION!
Important! If towing the vehicle, please note the
following: With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in the ignition switch turned to the
ON/RUN position, the vehicle doors lock if the left
front wheel and the right rear wheel are turning at
vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more. To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 245
6
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CAUTION!
If the vehicle is towed with the front wheels raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in the ignition switch
turned to the OFF/LOCK or ACC positions). Other-
wise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and will
apply the rear wheel brakes. Switch OFF the tow-away
alarm as well as the automatic central locking system.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground and the transmission shift lever in the NEUTRAL
position for distances up to 30 mi (48 km) and at a speed
not to exceed 30 mph (48 km/h). The key must be turned
to the ON/RUN position in the ignition. To be certain to
avoid a possibility of damage to the transmission; how-
ever, we recommend the drive shaft be disconnected at
the rear axle drive flange for any towing beyond a short
tow to a nearby garage.Always comply with applicable state or local towing
ordinances.
CAUTION!
²Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling-type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
²Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method of
towing is with a flatbed truck.
²Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal and fascia will occur.
²Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
246 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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NExhaust System......................279
NCooling System.......................280
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......284
NBrakes.............................285
NAutomatic Transmission................288
NManual Transmission..................289
NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................290
mConvertible Top Care....................295
NWashing............................296
NGeneral Cleaning.....................296
NWeather Strip Care....................297
mFuses...............................297NUnderhood Accessory Fuse Block Fuses.....297
NRelay Control Module Fuses.............302
NInterior Fuses........................303
mReplacement Bulbs......................305
NInterior Light Bulbs....................305
NExterior Light Bulbs...................305
mExterior Light Bulb Service................306
NHeadlights..........................306
NFront Turn Signal And Parking/Standing
Lights.............................307
NFront And Rear Sidemarker Lights.........307
NTail, Stop, Back Up And Turn Signal Lights . . . 308
NLicense Plate Light....................309
258 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE