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Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the 
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at 
least once. The message should go 
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the select/reset knob. 
The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message 
will appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message of f .If the system still detects a leak in 
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator 
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill 
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should 
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
370
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
263
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Holding the grip, pull the support 
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole pointed 
by an arrow in the hood.Lif t the hood up most of the way. 
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to 
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
To close the hood, lower it to 
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then press down f irmly 
with your hands. Make sure the
hood is securely latched.
3.
V6 models
2.4engine models
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
265
V6 models
SUPPORT ROD
GRIP
2.4engine models CLIP
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Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the 
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower 
marks.
Remove the dipstick (orange 
handle/loop). Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
1. 2. 
3.4.
316
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
Service Station Procedures
266
UPPER MARKLOWER MARK
DIPSTICK 
(orange handle) DIPSTICK
(orange loop)
V6 models
2.4
engine models 2.4engine models
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Look at the coolant level in the 
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If 
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper 
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your 
vehicle.
320 312
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
267
UPPER MARK 
LOWER MARK MIN 
MAXMAX
RESERVE TANK
MIN
V6 models V6 models
RESERVE 
TANK
2.4
engine models
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µµ
µ µ
µ
µµ
Aggressive driving (hard 
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up) 
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your 
vehicle’s f uel economy: 
A properly maintained vehicle 
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering, 
and hard braking increase fuel 
consumption. 
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect 
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your 
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
An under-inf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces 
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel 
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or 
mud on your vehicle’s underside 
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
312
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity motor oil, displaying the A PI 
Certif ication Seal (see page
).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately 
Observe the speed limit 
Always drive in the highest gear 
possible 
Avoid excessive idling
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in 
your vehicle 
K eep your vehicle clean
317
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
269
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µµ
Fill the f uel tank until the nozzle automatically clicks of f . 
Reset trip counter to zero. 
Record the total gallons (liters) needed to ref ill.
Follow one of the simple calculations above.
The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine 
which makes it use more f uel. Use 
the f resh-air ventilation when 
possible. 
Combine several short trips into 
one. A warmed-up engine is more
f uel ef f icient than a cold one.
Direct calculation is the
recommended source of inf ormation 
about your actual f uel economy. 
Using f requency of f ill-ups or taking
f uel gauge readings are NOT
accurate measures of f uel economy.
Fuel economy may improve over the
f irst several thousand miles. 1)
2)
3)
4)
Fuel Economy
Checking Your Fuel Economy
Measuring T echniquesMinimize the use of the air 
conditioning system 
Plan and combine trips
Calculating Fuel Economy
270
Miles driven Gallons of
fuel Miles per
Gallon
100 KilometersL per 100 km
Liter
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This section gives you tips on 
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the 
manual and automatic transmissions. 
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, the vehicle
stability assist (VSA) system, the tire 
pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .280
.......................
Starting the Engine .281
...................
Manual Transmission .282
..............
Automatic Transmission .284
...........................................
Parking .289
.............................
Braking System .290
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .291 
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................
System .293
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .295
...........................
Towing a Trailer .298
Driving
Driving
279
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Youshoulddothefollowingchecks 
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. 
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully 
closed. 
Visually check the tires. If a tire 
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. 
Check that any items you may be 
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. When you start the engine, check 
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that 
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ). 
Make sure the doors are securely 
closed and locked. 
Check the steering wheel 
adjustment (see page ). 
Check the adjustment of the 
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ). 
Check the seat adjustment (see 
page ). 
Check the seat adjustment (see 
page ).
3. 
2. 1.
4. 
5. 6. 
7. 
8. 
9.
11.
10. 92
93
7514 55
101On vehicles with power adjustable seats
On vehicles with manual adjustableseats
Preparing to Drive
280
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