²Cruise control status.
²Traction/stability control status.
²Tire pressure monitoring system status ± If Equipped.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats, rather than in the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's
size.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner's manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 75
2
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes.
The ABS warning light should be checked frequently to
assure that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key
to the on position, but do not start the vehicle. The light
should come on. If the light does not come on, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
24. Tire Pressure Monitor Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommendedby the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should deter-
mine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
184 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
NOTE:Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsi-
bility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check theTPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants
or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 185
4
(Refer to ªTire Inflation Pressuresº under ªTires Ð Gen-
eral Informationº and to ªTire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS)º in Section 5 of this manual for more informa-
tion).
25. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors emissions, engine, and
automatic transaxle control systems. The light
will illuminate when the key is in the ON/RUN position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the key from LOCK/OFF to ON/RUN, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.If the Malfunction Indicator Light flashes when the
engine is running, serious conditions may exist 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.
26. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the turn signal lever away from the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
27. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
DisplayÐPremium Cluster Only
This display shows the EVIC messages when the appro-
priate conditions exist. Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)º in this section for more informa-
tion.
186 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) ± IF EQUIPPED
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 gauges. The EVIC consists of the following:
²System Status
²Vehicle information warning message displays
²Personal Settings (customer programmable features)
²Compass heading display (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE,
SW)
²Outside temperature display (ÉF or ÉC)
²Trip computer functions
²Audio mode displays ± 12 preset Radio Stations or CD
Title and Track number when playing
²Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) displays (if
equipped)
EVIC Display Location
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187
4
mPower Steering........................270
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............271
NAcceleration.........................271
NTraction............................271
mDriving Through Water..................272
NFlowing/Rising Water..................272
NShallow Standing Water.................272
mTraction Control System (TCS) Ð If Equipped . . 274
mBrake Assist System (BAS) Ð If Equipped.....275
mElectronic Stability Program (ESP) Ð
If Equipped...........................276
NESP Operating Modes..................277
NESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light................278NSynchronizing ESP....................279
mTire Safety Information...................280
NTire Markings........................280
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........283
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........284
mTires Ð General Information...............288
NTire Pressure.........................288
NTire Inflation Pressures.................289
NRadial-Ply Tires......................291
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........292
NLimited Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........293
NTire Spinning........................294
NTread Wear Indicators..................294
248 STARTING AND OPERATING
NLife Of Tire.........................295
NReplacement Tires.....................296
NAlignment And Balance.................297
mTire Chains...........................297
mSnow Tires...........................298
mTire Rotation Recommendations............298
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Ð
If Equipped...........................299
NBase System Ð If Equipped..............302
NPremium System Ð If Equipped..........304
NGeneral Information...................307
mFuel Requirements......................307
N2.4L And 2.7L Engines..................307N3.5L Engine.........................308
NReformulated Gasoline.................309
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............309
NMMT In Gasoline.....................310
NMaterials Added To Fuel................310
NFuel System Cautions..................310
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............311
mFlexible FuelÐ 2.7L Engines Only
(Except California Emission States)..........312
NE-85 General Information................312
NEthanol Fuel (E-85)....................313
NFuel Requirements....................313
NSelection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......314
STARTING AND OPERATING 249
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