FEATURES AND CONTROLS
2
85Z14-03E
FEATURES AND CONTROLSKeys ...................................................................................... 2-1
Doors and Locks ................................................................. 2-4
Windows .............................................................................. 2-7
Theft-Deterrent Systems .................................................... 2-8
Daily Inspection Checklist .................................................. 2-10
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle ................................ 2-10
Mirrors .................................................................................. 2-20
Storage Areas ...................................................................... 2-21
Sunroof ................................................................................ 2-23
2-8
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z14-03E
Express-Down Window
The driver’s window also has an express-
down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Press the
switch then release it and the driver’s win-
dow will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering,
press the switch again. To raise the win-
dow, pull up and hold the switch.
Window Lockout
The driver’s power window controls also
include a lockout button.
Press the lockout button to disable the
front and rear passenger window switches.
The driver can still operate all the windows
with the lock on. Press the lockout button
again to return to normal window opera-
tion.
Sun VisorsTo block out glare, you can swing down the
visors. You can also remove them from the
center mount and swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle has vanity mirrors located on
the back of the sun visors. Swing down the
sun visor to expose the vanity mirror.
Theft-Deterrent SystemsVehicle theft is big business, especially in
some cities. Although your vehicle has a
number of theft-deterrent features, we
know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.Theft-Deterrent SystemYour vehicle may have a theft-deterrent
system.
Arming the System
To arm the system, do the following:
1) Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
and remove the key from the ignition. If
the key is inserted in the ignition switch,
the transmitter will not operate the theft-
deterrent system.
2) Close the doors, the windows, the
hood, and the trunk. Make sure the win-
dows are closed, as the system can be
activated even if the windows are open.
3) Lock the doors using the remote key-
less entry transmitter. The transmitter
must be used to activate the theft-deter-
rent system.
– The LED on the transmitter will flash
once.
– All of the doors will lock.
– The hazard warning lamps will flash
once and the horn will chirp.
– The theft-deterrent mode will activate.
N4U2011A
S4U2013A
Windows:
Theft-Deterrent Systems:
2-10
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z14-03E
Daily Inspection ChecklistBefore Driving1) Make sure that windows, mirrors, lights
and reflectors are clean and unob-
structed.
2) Visually check the tires for the following
points:
– the depth of the tread groove
– abnormal wear, cracks and damage
– loose wheel nuts
– existence of foreign material such as
nails, stones, etc.
Refer to “Tires” in the “SERVICE AND
APPEARANCE CARE” section for details.
3) Look for oil or other fluid leaks.
NOTE:
It is normal for water to drip from the air
conditioning system after use.
4) Make sure the hood is fully closed and
latched.
5) Check the headlights, turn signal lights,
brake lights and horn for proper opera-
tion.
6) Lock all doors.
7) Adjust the seat and adjustable head
restraints (if equipped).
8) Check the brake pedal.
9) Adjust the mirrors.
10)Make sure that you and all passengers
have properly fastened your seat belts.
11)Make sure that all warning lights come
on as the key is turned to the “ON” or
“START” position.12)Check all gauges.
13)Make sure that the BRAKE light turns
off when the parking brake is released.
Once a week, or each time you fill your fuel
tank, perform the following under-hood
checks:
1) Engine oil level
2) Coolant level
3) Brake fluid level
4) Power steering (if equipped) fluid level
5) Windshield washer fluid level
6) Hood latch operation
Pull the hood release handle inside the
vehicle. Make sure that you cannot
open the hood all the way without
releasing the secondary latch. Be sure
to close the hood securely after check-
ing for proper latch operation. See the
item “Lubricate Locks, Hinges & Hood
Latch” under “Chassis and Body” in the
“MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE” section
for the lubrication schedule.
Starting and Operating Your
VehicleNew Vehicle Break-In
WARNING
Make sure the hood is fully closed
and latched before driving. If it is not,
it can fly up unexpectedly during
driving, obstructing your view and
resulting in an accident.
CAUTION
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elabo-
rate “break-in.” But it will perform
better in the long run if you follow
these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed – fast
or slow – for the first 500 miles (805
km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the
first 200 miles (322 km) or so. Dur-
ing this time your new brake linings
aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean prema-
ture wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this break-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Daily Inspection Checklist:
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle:
2-19FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z14-03E
Engine Exhaust Running Your Engine While You Are
Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine run-
ning. But if you ever have to, here are
some things to know.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your
vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting Into Park
(P)” or “Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission)” in this section.
WARNING
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains
the gas carbon monoxide (CO), which
you can’t see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds
strange or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a col-
lision.
Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the
road or over road debris.
Repairs weren’t done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had
been modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is com-
ing into your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle fixed immedi-
ately.
WARNING
Idling the engine with the climate
control system off could allow dan-
gerous exhaust into your vehicle. See
the earlier Warning under “Engine
Exhaust.”
Also, idling in a closed-in place can
let deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into
your vehicle even if the climate con-
trol fan is at the highest setting. One
place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust – with CO – can come in eas-
ily. NEVER park in a garage with the
engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a bliz-
zard. See “Winter Driving” in the
Index.
WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) or the appropriate position
with the parking brake firmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. To determine
the appropriate position, see “Park-
ing Your Vehicle”. Don’t leave your
vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t
move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P) or the appropriate position
as described under “Parking Your
Ve h i cl e ” .
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle:
Mirrors:
2-20
FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z14-03E
MirrorsManual Rearview MirrorWhen you are sitting in a comfortable driv-
ing position, adjust the mirror so you can
see clearly behind your vehicle. Grip the
mirror in the center to move it up or down
and from side to side.
The day/night adjustment allows you to
adjust the mirror to avoid glare from any
headlamps behind you. Push or pull the
tab for daytime/night use.
Outside Manual MirrorThe outside rearview mirrors should be
adjusted so you can see a little of the side
of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Adjust the outside mirrors with the control
levers on the driver’s and passenger’s
doors.
The outside rearview mirrors can be folded
flat against the side of the vehicle by push-
ing them toward the vehicle.
Outside Power MirrorsIf your vehicle has this feature, the control
for the power mirrors is located on the
driver’s side door trim.
Move the outside power mirror control to
“L” to adjust the left mirror and to “R” to
adjust the right mirror. If you place the con-
trol in the center position, no movement of
the mirror will occur. To adjust a mirror,
press the corresponding edges located on
the four-way control pad to move the mirror
in the direction that you want it to go. The
ignition must be to ON to adjust the mir-
rors.
The outside rearview mirrors can be folded
flat against the side of the vehicle by push-
ing them toward the vehicle.
L3U2021A
N4U2018A
N4U2019A
Mirrors:
2-21FEATURES AND CONTROLS
85Z14-03E
Outside Convex MirrorYour passenger’s side mirror is convex. A
convex mirror’s surface is curved so you
can see more from the driver’s seat.Outside Heated MirrorsIf your vehicle has this feature, when you
operate the rear window defogger, the
heated driver’s and passenger’s outside
power mirrors are warmed to help clear
them of ice and snow. See “Rear Window
and Outside Mirror Defogger” under “Cli-
mate Control System” in section 3 for more
information.
Storage AreasGlove BoxThe glove box is located in front of the pas-
senger’s seat on the instrument panel.
Open the glove box by pulling the bottom
of the handle upward. Close the glove box
with a firm push.
Cupholder(s)The cupholders are located in the center
console and in the rear seat center arm-
rest.
To use the front cupholder, move the inner
support forward or backward. If your vehi-
cle has rear cupholders, push down the
rear seat center armrest to use them.
WARNING
A convex mirror can make things
(like other vehicles) look farther away
than they really are. If you cut too
sharply into the right lane, you could
hit a vehicle on your right. Check
your inside mirror or glance over
your shoulder before changing lanes.
WARNING
Never drive with the glove box lid
open. It could cause injury if an acci-
dent occurs.
S4U2020A
N4U2021A
Storage Areas:
3-16
INSTRUMENT PANEL
85Z14-03E
(Defrost):
This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield, with some air directed to the
side window outlets. When you select this
mode, the system runs the air-conditioning
compressor. To defrost the windows faster,
turn the temperature control knob clock-
wise to the warmest setting.
Rear Window and Outside Rearview
Mirror DefoggerYour vehicle may have a rear window and
outside mirror defogger.
The rear window defogger uses a warming
grid to remove fog or frost from the rear
window. This feature will only work when
the ignition is in ON.
(Rear):
Press the button to turn the rear window
and outside mirror defogger on or off. The
defogger will turn off approximately 10 min-
utes after the button is pressed. Be sure to
clear as much snow from the rear window
as possible. An indicator light on the button
will come on to let you know that the fea-
ture is activated.
N4U3032B
N4U3032AN4U3032A
CAUTION
Don’t use anything sharp on the
inside of the rear window. If you do,
you could cut or damage the warm-
ing grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle license,
tape, a decal or anything similar to
the defogger grid.
Climate Controls:
4-7DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE
85Z14-03E
gerous move, since the passing vehicle
occupies the same lane as oncoming traf-
fic for several seconds. A miscalculation,
an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to
frustration or anger can suddenly put the
passing driver face to face with the worst of
all traffic accidents – the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to
the sides and to crossroads for situa-
tions that might affect your passing pat-
terns. If you have any doubt whatsoever
about making a successful pass, wait for
a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement mark-
ings and lines. If you can see a sign up
ahead that might indicate a turn or an
intersection, delay your pass. A broken
center line usually indicates it’s all right
to pass (providing the road ahead is
clear). Never cross a solid line on your
side of the lane or a double solid line,
even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you
want to pass while you’re awaiting an
opportunity. For one thing, following too
closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you’re following a larger
vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate
space if the vehicle ahead suddenly
slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable
distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is
coming up, start to accelerate but stay inthe right lane and don’t get too close.
Time your move so you will be increas-
ing speed as the time comes to move
into the other lane. If the way is clear to
pass, you will have a “running start” that
more than makes up for the distance you
would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to can-
cel your pass, you need only slow down
and drop back again and wait for another
opportunity.
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a
slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take
care that someone isn’t trying to pass
you as you pull out to pass the slow vehi-
cle. Remember to glance over your
shoulder and check the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane change
signal before moving out of the right lane
to pass. When you are far enough ahead
of the passed vehicle to see its front in
your inside mirror, activate your right
lane change signal and move back into
the right lane. (Remember that your right
outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away
from you than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at
a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider
before passing the next vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle
too rapidly. Even though the brake lamps
are not flashing, it may be slowing down
or starting to turn. If you’re being passed, make it easy for
the following driver to get ahead of you.
Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of ControlLet’s review what driving experts say about
what happens when the three control sys-
tems (brakes, steering and acceleration)
don’t have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver has
asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep try-
ing to steer and constantly seek an escape
route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the
vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to exist-
ing conditions, and by not “overdriving”
those conditions. But skids are always pos-
sible.
The three types of skids correspond to
your vehicle’s three control systems. In the
braking skid, your wheels aren’t rolling. In
the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to
slip and lose cornering force. And in the
acceleration skid, too much throttle causes
the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing
your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your
foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle: