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•Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for an extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with the engine running for
more than a short time, adjust the ventilation system
to force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
•Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
•Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside the
vehicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn
into the vehicle.
•On hardtop models, keep the tailgate window closed
when driving your vehicle. On fabric top models, do
not drive with the rear window curtain up unless the
side curtains are also open. This will prevent carbon
monoxide and other poisonous exhaust gases from
entering the vehicle.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding seat belt or
retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a indicator check when the ignition switch is
first turned on. If the indicator is not lit during starting,
have it serviced. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Defrosters
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.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
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▫To Raise The Rear Seat ..................94
To Open And Close The Hood ..............94
Lights ................................95
▫ Interior Lights ........................95
▫ Multifunction Control Lever ...............97
▫ Parking Lights, Instrument Panel Lights,
And Headlights .......................97
▫ Lights-On Reminder ....................98
▫ Headlight Dimmer Switch ................98
▫ Passing Light .........................99
▫ Front Fog Lights — If Equipped ............99
▫ Turn Signals ..........................99
▫ Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped ......99
Windshield Wipers And Washers ............100
▫ Intermittent Wiper System ...............100
▫ Windshield Wiper Operation .............100
▫ Windshield Washers ...................101
▫ Mist Feature .........................101
Tilt Steering Column ....................101
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped ......102
▫ To Activate ..........................102
▫ To Set At A Desired Speed ...............103
▫ To Deactivate ........................103
▫ To Resume Speed .....................103
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ...............103
▫ Manual Transmission ..................104
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▫To Accelerate For Passing ...............105
Electronic Brake Control System ............105
▫ ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ............105
▫ TCS (Traction Control System) ............106
▫ BAS (Brake Assist System) ...............107
▫ ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation) ..........108
▫ ESP (Electronic Stability Program) .........109
▫ ESP/BAS Warning Light ................115
Electrical Power Outlet ...................116
▫ Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off .......117
Cupholders ...........................117
▫ Front Cupholders .....................117
▫ Rear Cupholders ......................118
Storage ..............................118
▫ Console Storage Compartment ............118
▫ Rear Storage Compartment ..............119
Dual Top — If Equipped .................120
▫ Removing The Soft Top .................120
▫ Installing The Soft Top .................122
Freedom Top Three-Piece Modular Hard Top . . . 125
▫ Front Panel(s) Removal .................126
▫ Front Panel(s) Installation ...............128
▫ Front Panel(s) Installation Only
(With Rear Hard Top Removed) ...........128
▫ Rear Hard Top Removal ................129
▫ Rear Hard Top Installation ...............131
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MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror
The mirror should be adjusted to center on the view
through the rear window. A two-point pivot system
allows for horizontal and vertical adjustment of the
mirror.Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).
Adjusting Rearview Mirror
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Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirror(s)
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight
overlap of the view obtained on the inside mirror.WARNING!
•Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your
right side mirror could cause you to collide with
another vehicle or other object.
•Use your inside mirror when judging the size or
distance of a vehicle seen in the right side mirror.
Outside Rearview Mirror
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Next, locate handle in middle of the front end of the
hood. Insert hand into gap between hood and top of
grille, and push handle to the side to raise hood. You may
have to push down slightly on the hood before pushing
the handle. Insert the support rod into the slot on the
hood panel.
To close the hood, remove the support rod from the hood
panel and place it in the retaining clip. Lower the hood
slowly. Secure both of the hood latches.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are latched fully before
driving.
LIGHTS
Interior Lights
The overhead light will come on when a door is opened.
It may also be turned on by rotating the control for the
dimmer switch on the multifunction control lever fully
upward.
The overhead light will automatically turn off in about 20
minutes if a door is left open or the dimmer control is left
in the dome light position. Turn the ignition switch ON to
restore the overhead light operation.
Cargo Lamp
The courtesy and dome lights will turn on when the front
doors are opened, when the dimmer control (rotating
wheel on the right side of the switch) is rotated to the
upward detent position, or if equipped, when the UN-
LOCK button is pressed on the RKE key fob.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95
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Also, the rear cargo lamp may be turned on by pressing
the lens. Press the lens again to turn it off.When a door is open and the interior lights are on,
rotating the dimmer control all the way down to the OFF
detent will cause all the interior lights to turn off. This is
also known as the
Partymode because it allows the
doors to stay open for extended periods of time without
discharging the vehicle’s battery.
Cargo Lamp
Rear Cargo Lamp (Four-Door Models)
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE