
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7 of this manual. NON-DETERGENT
OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE
USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 79
2

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.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
82 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

13. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
will turn on and remain on when the ignition
switch is turned from the LOCK or ACC position to the
ON position. The light will turn off after the engine is
started. If the light does not turn on during starting, have
the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the light turns on and remains on while driving, safely
bring the vehicle to a stop and shut off the engine. DO
NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS
CORRECTED.
This light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked using the proper
procedure. (See page 403 for more information.)
14. Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. This light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and it may
stay on for approximately 3 seconds.If the light remains on or turns on during driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally, provided 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
switch to the ON position, but do not start the vehicle.
The light should turn on. If the light does not turn on,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer. (See
page 310 for more information.)
15. Tachometer
This gauge measures engine revolutions-per-minute
(rpm x 1000). Before the pointer reaches the red area, ease
up on the accelerator to prevent engine damage.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 195
4

NOTE:As the coolant temperature gauge approaches
9H,9this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will
sound. Further overheating will cause the temperature
gauge to pass9H.9In this case, the indicator will flash
continuously and a continuous chime will sound, until
the engine is allowed to cool.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the 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 and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
23. Coolant Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indicates
that the cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The
gauge pointer will likely indicate a high temperature
when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in
heavy traffic, or when towing a trailer. If the pointer rises
to the ªHº mark, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If
198 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

NOTE:If the instrument cluster is equipped with the
optional Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC),
then most warnings will display in the EVIC. (See page
206 for more information.)
Fuel Cap Fault Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, the
words ªgASCAPº will display in the odometer. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the
odometer reset button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
(See page 399 for more information.)Change Oil Message (Base & Mid Line Clusters Only)
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªCHANgE OILº message will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer for approximately 12
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON position. To
turn off the message temporarily, press and release the
Trip Odometer button on the instrument cluster. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance) perform the following proce-
dure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 201
4

²Door(s) Ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
²Liftgate Ajar (with a single chime)
²Left Front Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
ªTire Pressure Monitoring Systemº in Section 5 of this
manual.
²Left Rear Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
ªTire Pressure Monitoring Systemº in Section 5 of this
manual.
²Right Front Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer
to ªTire Pressure Monitoring Systemº in Section 5 of
this manual.
²Right Rear Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer
to ªTire Pressure Monitoring Systemº in Section 5 of
this manual.
²Check TPM System (with a single chime). Refer to
ªTire Pressure Monitoring Systemº in Section 5 of this
manual.
²Check Gascap (refer to ªAdding Fuelº in Section 5 of
this manual for more details)
²Service Park Assist System (with a single chime)
²Oil Change Required (with a single chime)
Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The ªOil Change Requiredº message
will flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10
seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate the
next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 209
4

Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON position. To
turn off the message temporarily, press and release the
Menu button. To reset the oil change indicator system
(after performing the scheduled maintenance) perform
the following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.Trip Functions
Press and release the MENU button until one of the
following Trip Functions displays in the EVIC:
²Average Fuel Economy
²Distance To Empty
²Elapsed Time
²Display Units of Measure in
Press the SCROLL button to cycle through all the Trip
Computer functions.
The Trip Functions mode displays the following informa-
tion:
²Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read
ªRESETº or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the
210 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m3.7L Engine Compartment................398
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........399
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............400
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................400
mReplacement Parts......................402
mDealer Service.........................402
mMaintenance Procedures..................402
NEngine Oil..........................403NEngine Oil Filter......................405
NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 406
NSpark Plugs.........................406
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................406
NFuel Filter..........................407
NCatalytic Converter....................407
NCrankcase Emission Control System........409
NMaintenance-Free Battery................409
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............411
7