Page 1 of 288
Introduction 4
Instrument Cluster 12
Warning lights and chimes 12
Gauges 17
Entertainment Systems 19
Auxiliary input jack 25
Climate Controls 29
Manual heating and air conditioning 29
Rear window defroster 31
Lights 32
Headlamps 32
Turn signal control 35
Bulb replacement 36
Driver Controls 42
Windshield wiper/washer control 42
Steering wheel adjustment 43
Power windows 47
Mirrors 48
Cruise control 49
Moon roof 53
Locks and Security 60
Keys 60
Locks 62
Anti-theft system 68
Seating and Safety Restraints 72
Seating 72
Safety restraints 81
Airbags 97
Child restraints 113
Table of Contents
1
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Page 10 of 288
Multi-function lever (pg. 42) Instrument cluster
(pg. 12)
Hazard flasher control (pg. 188)
Headlamp control
(pg. 32)
Parking brake release (pg. 167) Speed controls*
(pg. 49) Hood release
(pg. 239) Steering wheel controls*
(pg. 52)
* if equipped
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Instrument Cluster
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Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the SecuriLock Passive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
Throttle control/Powertrain:
Illuminates when a powertrain fault
has been detected. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Door ajar: Illuminates when the
ignition is in the RUN position and
any door is open.
Turn signal: Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams: Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime: Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime: Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake ON chime: Sounds when the parking brake is left ON
and the vehicle is driven. If the warning stays on after the park brake is
off, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
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Instrument Cluster
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Page 32 of 288
HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp control to the
first position
to turn on the
parking lamps. Rotate to the second
position
to turn on the
headlamps.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
The headlamp control also operates
the foglamps. The foglamps can be
turned on when the headlamp
control is in the
,or
positions and the high beams are
not turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
will illuminate.
High beams
After turning the headlamps on,
push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
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Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the lowbeam headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
• the ignition must be in the 3 (RUN) position.
• the headlamp control must be in the OFF, parking lamps or autolamp
position.
• with automatic transmission, the transmission is not in P (Park),
• with manual transmission, the parking brake must be released.
WARNING: Always remember to turn on your headlamps at
dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp
(DRL) system does not activate the tail lamps and generally
may not provide adequate lighting during these conditions.
Failure to activate your headlamps under these conditions may
result in a collision.
INSTRUMENT PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
switches in the vehicle during
headlamp and parklamp operation.
Move the control to the full upright
position, past detent, to turn on the
interior lamps.
Rotate to full down position (past
detent) to prevent interior lamps
from illuminating when the doors
are opened.
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Lights
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AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by your authorized dealer.
Vertical aim adjustment 1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface, approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
• (1) 8 feet (2.4 meter)
• (2) Center height of lamp to
ground
• (3) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
• (4) Horizontal reference line
2. Measure the height from the center of your headlamp to the
ground and mark an 8 foot
(2.4 meter) horizontal reference
line on the vertical wall or
screen at this height (a piece of masking tape works well). The
center of the lamp is marked by a 3.0 mm circle on the headlamp
lens.
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and open the hood. Cover the left-hand headlamp with an opaque
cloth.
4. On the wall or screen you will observe a light pattern with a
distinct horizontal edge of high
intensity light towards the right.
If this edge is not at the
horizontal reference line, the
beam will need to be adjusted.
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Page 35 of 288
5. Locate the vertical adjuster on the headlamp, then us ea4mm
socket to turn the adjuster
either counterclockwise (to
adjust up) or clockwise (to
adjust down) aligning the upper
edge of the light pattern to the
horizontal line.
6. Move the opaque cloth to cover the right-hand headlamp and
repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the
left-hand headlamp.
7. HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS NON-ADJUSTABLE.
8. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
• Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
• Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
INTERIOR LAMPS
Cargo and dome lamp
Rear cargo lamp equipped with an
ON/OFF/DOOR control will light
when:
• the doors are closed and the
control is in the ON position.
• the control is in the DOOR
position and any door is open.
When the control is in the OFF position, it will not illuminate when you
open the doors.
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Page 36 of 288

Dome lamps and map lamps
The front dome lamp is located overhead between the driver and
passenger seats.
The dome lamp control has three
positions:
• OFF: In this position, the lamp
will not illuminate.
• DOOR: In this position, the dome
lamp will illuminate only when a
door is opened and will remain
illuminated for 25 seconds after
the door is shut.
• ON: In this position, the lamp will remain illuminated.
The map lamp controls (without
moon roof) are located on the dome
lamp. Press the button on either
side of each map lamp to illuminate
the lamps. Push the button again to
turn off the lamps.
For models equipped with a moon
roof, the map lamps are located on
the moon roof control panel. Press
the button on either side of each
map lamp to illuminate the lamps.
Push the button again to turn off
the lamps.
The map lamps will illuminate
whenever a door is opened. After
the door is shut, the lamps will remain illuminated for 25 seconds.
BULB REPLACEMENT
Headlamp Condensation
The headlamps are vented to equalize pressure. When moist air enters
the headlamp(s) through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur. This condensation is normal and will clear
within 45 minutes of headlamp operation.
2008 Tribute (j14)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Lights
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