
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level dipstick.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again.
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Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
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•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
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BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
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7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperature
150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal operating
temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of
driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(50°F-95°F [10°C-35°C]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250 ml) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by an authorized
dealer.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause shift and/or engagement concerns
and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
TRANSFER CASE FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................89
Air cleaner filter ...............308–310
Air conditioning ..........................68
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................................155–156
and child safety seats ............158
description ..............................156
disposal ....................................160
driver airbag ....................156, 158
indicator light .........................159
operation .........................156, 158
passenger airbag .............156, 158
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................287
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................215
Anti-theft system ......................131
arming the system ..................132
Audio system (see Radio) ...19, 23
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................221
fluid, adding ............................305
fluid, checking ........................305
fluid, refill capacities ..............311
fluid, specification ..................311
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....31
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........311
refill capacities ........................311
traction lok ..............................218
B
Battery .......................................285acid, treating emergencies .....285
jumping a disabled battery ....255
maintenance-free ....................285
replacement, specifications ...310
servicing ..................................285
Belt-Minder.............................150
deactivating/activating the
Belt-Minder...........................153
Booster seats .............................164
Brakes ........................................215
anti-lock ...................................215
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................215
fluid, checking and adding ....305
fluid, refill capacities ..............311
fluid, specifications .................311
lubricant specifications ..........311
parking ....................................216
shift interlock ..........................219
Bulbs ............................................77
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....311
Cargo cage .................................112
Cargo management system ......114
Cell phone use ..............................9
Changing a tire .........................247
Child safety restraints ..............164
child safety belts ....................164
Child safety seats ......................167
attaching with tether straps ..171
in front seat ............................169
in rear seat ..............................169
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................164
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............273
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Index
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filter, specifications ........284, 310
recommendations ...................284
refill capacities ........................311
specifications ..........................311
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................213
F
Fail safe cooling ........................292
Family entertainment system ....38
Floor mats .................................110
Fluid capacities .........................311
Foglamps .....................................72
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......228
driving off road .......................230
electronic shift ........................229
indicator light .........................228
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................218
Fuel ............................................293
calculating fuel
economy ..........................104, 298
cap ...........................................295
capacity ...................................311
choosing the right fuel ...........296
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................301
detergent in fuel .....................297
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................293, 295, 298
filter, specifications ........293, 310
fuel pump shut-off switch .....239
improving fuel economy ........298
octane rating ...........297, 314–315
quality ......................................297
running out of fuel .................297
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................293
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......239Fuses ..................................240–241
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............295
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................298
Gauges .........................................16
H
Hazard flashers .........................239
Head restraints .................134, 138
Headlamps ...................................72
aiming ........................................74
autolamp system .......................72
bulb specifications ....................77
daytime running lights .............73
flash to pass ..............................73
high beam .................................73
replacing bulbs .........................78
turning on and off ....................72
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................68
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................98
Hood ..........................................279
How to get going ........................19
I
Ignition .......................210, 314–315
Illuminated visor mirror .............83
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................167
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................303
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
322