Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Disengage the cruise control, but do not turn it off.
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the thumbwheel up toward RES+ and hold it
until your vehicle accelerates to the desired speed,
and then release the switch. To increase the speed
in very small amounts, press the thumbwheel up
toward RES+ brie y and then release it. Each
time this is done, the vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push the thumbwheel toward−SET and hold
until the desired lower speed is reached, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
thumbwheel toward−SET brie y. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the previously set cruise
control speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle’s speed, load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s speed. When
going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a lower
gear to maintain the vehicle’s speed. Of course, applying
the brakes ends cruise control. Many drivers nd this to
be too much trouble and do not use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to disengage the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or clutch; when
cruise control disengages, the indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster goes out.
Press the on/off button, this will turn off the cruise
control system.
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Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know how
fast you are going, about how much fuel you have and many other things you will need to know to drive safely
and economically.
United States cluster, Canada similar
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag sensor,
the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the wiring and
the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the airbag system, seeAirbag System
on page 1-53.
This light will come
on when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. The light
should go out and the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not in ate in a crash, or they
could even in ate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a
few seconds when you start the engine. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed immediately.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also come
on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-50for
more information.
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{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no
one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off. We recommend that
rear-facing child restraints be secured in the
rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-63
for more on this, including important safety information.If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
airbag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-29for more on this, including
important safety information.
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All information appears in the DIC display located in the
instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC displays the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system problem
is detected.
The DIC also displays the compass direction, outside air
temperature, and shift position indicator at the top of the
DIC display. If there is a problem with the system that
controls the temperature display, the numbers will be
replaced with dashes. If this occurs, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If an abnormal
temperature reading is displayed for an extended period
of time, consult your dealer/retailer. Under certain
circumstances, especially when the engine is idling,
a delay updating the temperature display is normal.
SeeDIC Compass on page 3-48andAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-23for more
information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the reset stem located on the instrument
panel cluster. These displays are explained in the
following section. To scroll through the available
functions, press and release the reset stem.
ODOMETER
Press and release the reset stem until ODOMETER
displays. This display shows the distance the vehicle
has been driven in either miles (mi) or kilometers (km).
TRIP
Press and release the reset stem until TRIP displays.
This display shows the current distance traveled in either
miles (mi) or kilometers (km) since the last reset for
the trip odometer.
To reset the trip odometer to zero, press and hold the
reset stem while the trip odometer is displayed.
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DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that some
action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
Some messages may not require immediate action, but
you can press the reset stem on the instrument panel
cluster to acknowledge that you received the messages
and to clear them from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC display
because they are more urgent. These messages require
action before they can be cleared. Take any messages
that appear on the display seriously and remember that
clearing the messages will only make the messages
disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the charging system
detects that the battery is being drained. You may notice
that the vehicle attempts to reduce the drain for you by
turning off accessories, such as interior fans, rear
defogger, and heated seats. Turn off all accessories.
If the vehicle is not running, start and run the engine
for at least 10 minutes to allow the battery to recharge.
If the engine is running and the condition persists,
see your dealer/retailer immediately.
BUCKLE PASSENGER SEATBELT
This message reminds you to buckle the passenger’s
safety belt. SeePassenger Sensing System on
page 1-63.
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt is buckled, the
passenger’s safety belt is unbuckled with the passenger
airbag enabled, and the vehicle is in motion. You should
have the passenger buckle their safety belt.
This reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on,
the vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled and the
passenger is still unbuckled, and the passenger airbag
is enabled. If the passenger’s safety belt is already
buckled, this message and chime will not come on.
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BUCKLE SEATBELT
This message reminds you to buckle the driver’s
safety belt.
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
ignition is on, the driver’s safety belt is unbuckled,
and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle your
safety belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is
on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will be
repeated. If the driver’s safety belt is already buckled,
this message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-28.
CALIBRATING COMPASS: TURN IN
CIRCLES
This message displays when calibrating the compass.
Drive the vehicle in circles at less than 5 mph (8 km/h)
to complete the calibration. SeeDIC Compass on
page 3-48.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when service is required for the
vehicle. See your dealer/retailer. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-13andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
Acknowledging this message will not reset the OIL LIFE
REMAINING display. That must be done at the OIL
LIFE screen. See “OIL LIFE” underDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-44andEngine Oil Life System
on page 5-16for more information.
CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
This message displays when the life of the
transmission uid has expired and it should be
changed. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
andRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12
for the proper uid and change intervals.
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ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-23for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-23
for more information.
This message displays along with a continuous chime
when the engine has overheated. Stop and turn the
engine off immediately to avoid severe engine damage.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-23.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but
there is no reduction in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may be reduced the next
time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a
reduced speed while this message is on, but acceleration
and speed may be reduced. Anytime this message stays
on, the vehicle should be taken to your dealer/retailer for
service as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when your vehicle is low on fuel.
Re ll the fuel tank as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-41andFilling the Tank on page 5-8for more
information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays on some vehicles when the
hood is not closed properly. Close the hood completely.
SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE
This message displays when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
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