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ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) ± If EquippedNOTE:The compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating,
eliminating the need to manually calibrate the compass.
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display. It is located in the lower
left part of the cluster below the fuel and engine tem-
perature gauge. The EVIC consists of the following:
²System Status
²Vehicle information warning message displays
²Personal Settings (customer programmable features)
²Compass heading
²Outside temperature display
²Trip computer functions
²UConnectŸ hands-free communication system dis-
plays Ð If Equipped
²Audio mode display
EVIC Location
240 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Display English or Metric
The EVIC, odometer, and navigation system units can be
changed between English and Metric.
Press and hold the EVIC button when in this display until
ªUSº or ªMETRICº appears to make your selection.
Automatic Compass Calibration
The compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating, eliminat-
ing the need to manually calibrate the compass. When
the vehicle is new, the compass may appear erratic and
the ªCALº indicator message will flash in the EVIC until
the calibration is complete.
A good calibration requires a level surface and an envi-
ronment free from large metallic objects such as build-
ings, bridges, underground cables, railroad tracks, etc.
Calibrate the compass by driving slowly, under 5 mph (8
km/h) in one or more complete circles in a area free fromlarge metallic objects, until the ªCALº indicator in the
EVIC turns off. The compass will now function normally.
NOTE:Keep all magnetic objects, such as laptop com-
puters, cell phones and PDA's (anything with a battery)
away from the compass sensor which is located in the top
of the instrument panel. These devices can interfere with
compass accuracy and performance.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears to be inaccurate, you may wish to
manually calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrating the
compass, make sure the proper Compass Variance Value
is selected (Refer to ªCompass Varianceº for additional
information). Then continue to calibrate the compass as
follows:
1. Start the engine and leave the transmission in the
PARK position.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 247
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Air Conditioning
Rotate this control to engage the
Air Conditioning. A lamp will il-
luminate when the Air Condition-
ing System is engaged
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor will not engage
until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds.
MAX A/C
To quickly cool the vehicle interior
follow the steps listed below:
1. Set the Temperature Control to Max Cool.
2. Set the Mode Control to Panel or Be-Level.
3. Press the Recirculation Button and the A/C Button.
4. Adjust the Fan Control to desired air flow setting.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 281
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................291
NAutomatic Transaxle...................291
NManual Transaxle.....................292
NNormal Starting......................292
NExtremely Cold Weather (Below220ÉF Or
229ÉC).............................292
NIf The Engine Fails To Start..............293
NAfter Starting........................293
NTurbocharger9Cool-Down9...............293mAutomatic Transaxle Ð If Equipped.........294
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......295
NAutomatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................295
NFour-Speed Automatic Transaxle...........296
NReset Mode.........................296
NGear Ranges For The Four-Speed Automatic
Transaxle...........................297
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NReplacement Tires.....................328
NAlignment And Balance.................329
mTire Chains...........................330
mSnow Tires...........................330
mTire Rotation Recommendations............331
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Ð
If Equipped...........................332
NBase System Ð If Equipped..............334
NGeneral Information...................336
mFuel Requirements Ð Gasoline Engines.......337
N2.4L And 2.4L Standard Turbo Engines......337
NReformulated Gasoline.................337
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............337NMMT In Gasoline.....................338
NMaterials Added To Fuel................338
NFuel System Cautions..................338
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............339
mAdding Fuel..........................340
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............340
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............342
mVehicle Loading........................342
mTrailer Towing.........................343
NCommon Towing Definitions.............343
NTrailer Hitch Classification...............345
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................347
STARTING AND OPERATING 289
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selector lever or by press-
ing the accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive
heat in the exhaust system, resulting in overheating
and vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal
injuries.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
The gear selector lever must be in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position before you can start the engine. Apply the
brakes and depress the gear selector lever knob button
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
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MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the gear
selector lever in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
NORMAL STARTING
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine has not
started within three seconds, slightly depress the accel-
erator pedal while continuing to crank. If the engine fails
to start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure above.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See Section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER (BELOW220ÉF or
229ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING
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IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than 15
seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON
position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
AFTER STARTING
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TURBOCHARGER(COOL-DOWN(
NOTE:Letting the engine idle after severe operation
allows the turbine housing to cool to normal operating
temperature. Do not increase the idle speed manually.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
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