²As the airbags deflate, you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's instruc-
tions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
seat belt pretensioner, and seat belt retractor assem-
bly replaced by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Also, have the Occupant Classification Sys-
tem serviced as well.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact that causes airbag deployment,
with the vehicle stopped, and the vehicle communication
network intact, and the power intact, the Enhanced
Accident Response System performs the following func-
tions:
²Cuts off fuel to the engine.
²Flashes hazard lights.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
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
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows level of fuel in tank when
ignition switch is in the ON position. (See page 359
for more information.)
2. Fuel Cap Indicator
This symbol indicates the side of the vehicle
where the fuel cap is located.
3. Low Fuel Warning Light
This indicator lights when the fuel level drops to
approximately 1/8 tank. (See page 359 for more
information.)4. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Ð If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by 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
determine 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 are significantly under-inflated. Ac-
cordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
190 INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat 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.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility 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 the
TPMS 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. (See page 346 for more
information.)
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 191
4
6. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors emissions, engine, and
automatic transmission control systems. The light
will turn on when the key is in the ON position before
engine start. If the light does not turn on when turning
the key from LOCK or ACC to ON, have the condition
checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may turn on 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 it 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 catalyticconverter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs. (See page 399 for more
information.)
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required.
7. High Beam Indicator Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the Multi-Function Control Lever on
the left side of the steering column toward you to switch
to Low beam. (See page 133 for more information.)
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS 193
4
once again to display the outside temperature and com-
pass heading in the screen below the speedometer. Refer
to ªVacuum Fluorescent Displayº for details
Resetting the Trip Odometer
Display the trip mileage that you want to reset, ªTrip Aº
or ªTrip B.º Then push and hold the button (approxi-
mately 2 seconds) until the display resets to 0. The
odometer must be in Trip Mode to reset the trip odom-
eter.
26. 4WD Indicator Light Ð Vehicles Equipped with
Selec-TractII
This light alerts the driver that the vehicle is in
the full-time four-wheel drive auto mode. In
this mode, the system operates with a normal
torque split of 42% front axle and 58% rear axle.
It can redirect up to 100% of torque to the front or rear
axle, if necessary.(See page 292 for more information.)27. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. The trip odometer shows individual trip
mileage. Refer to ªTrip Odometer Buttonº for additional
information.
NOTE:U.S. federal regulations require upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify the mileage the
vehicle has been driven. Therefore, if the odometer
reading is changed because of repair or replacement, be
sure to keep a record of the reading before and after the
service so that the correct mileage can be determined.
Vehicle Warning Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, messages such as
ªdoorº (for door ajar), ªgATEº (for liftgate ajar), ªgLASSº
(for flip-up glass ajar), ªgASCAPº (for fuel cap fault), or
ªCHANgE OILº will display in the odometer.
200 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