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The system allows the driver to select information by
pressing the following buttons on the Instrument Panel
Switch Bank:
Press and release the MENU button to advance
the display to Trip Functions or Personal Set-
tings or to return to the default System Status
display.
Press and release the STEP button to advance
the display through the various Trip Functions
or Personal Settings.
Press and release the COMPASS button to
display the compass heading and the outside
temperature.Press and release the RESET Button to accept a
selection. The RESET Button also resets various
Trip Functions.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages.
²Turn Signal On (with a continuous warning chime)
²Left Front Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime)
²Left Rear Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime)
²Right Front Turn Signal Light Out (with a single
chime)
²Right Rear Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime)
MENU
Button
STEP
Button
COM-
PASS
Button
RESET
Button
188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 249 of 454

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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Page 251 of 454

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, the inside
and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if present,
instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat belts.
WARNING!
²Never 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
seriously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
²Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever. Accidents can also be
caused by pressing 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 selector lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting the gear selector lever to any driving gear.
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON position
and you must press the brake pedal before shifting the
gear selector lever out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 251
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If Engine Fails to Start
WARNING!
²Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle 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 dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6 of
this manual for proper jump starting procedures
and follow them carefully.
Without Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold Weatherº proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
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.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15
STARTING AND OPERATING 253
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Page 255 of 454

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver side of the
vehicle.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
²Shift the gear selector lever into PARK only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
²Shift the gear selector lever into or out of RE-
VERSE only after the vehicle has come to a com-
plete stop and the engine is at idle speed.
²Do not shift the gear selector lever from RE-
VERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into any forward
gear when the engine is above idle speed.
²Before shifting the gear selector lever into any gear,
make sure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
NOTE:You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting the gear selector lever out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
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WARNING!
²It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of or if
the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your
foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly
on the brake pedal.
²Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should al-
ways shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the key
from the ignition, and apply the parking brake.
Once the key is removed from the ignition, the
selector lever is locked in the PARK position, secur-
ing the vehicle against unwanted movement. Fur-
thermore, you should never leave children unat-
tended inside a vehicle.
Brake/Transaxle Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of ªPº PARK and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.Always press the brake
pedal first, before moving the gear selector out of
PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of PARK. Battery power is required to release the
Brake/Transaxle Interlock system. However, an override
system allows you to shift out of PARK in case of loss of
power. To activate the override system:
²Firmly apply the parking brake.
²Insert the ignition key into the ignition key lock
cylinder and rotate it to the ON position.
²Remove the cup holder liner.
256 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 259 of 454
WARNING!
Never use PARK position on an Automatic Transaxle
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
CAUTION!
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL positions into another gear range as
this can damage the drivetrain.REVERSE
Use this range for moving the vehicle rearward. Shift into
this range only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL
Engine may be started in this range.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
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²Transaxle shifting will be more noticeable when
Autosticktis engaged.
²If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
²If a downshift would cause the engine to over-speed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
Mostly the transaxle will stay in the manually selected
ratio, however:
þIf the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transaxle will revert to the automatic shift mode and
remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
þIf the system detects a problem, it will disable the
AutoSticktmode and the transaxle will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transaxle as
a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector
lever in the ªPº (Park) position first, and then apply the
parking brake.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING