Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for 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 for proper pressure.
Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected, the cause should be located and corrected.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77
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²AVG. MPG ± Shows the average fuel economy since
the last reset. When the fuel economy is reset, the
display will show dashes for two seconds. Then the
history information will be erased, and theaveraging
will continue from the last fuel average reading
before the reset. (Example: If your EVIC displays 18
AVG. MPG and the RESET button is pressed, the
previous averaging history will be erased and the
display will return to the 18 AVG. MPG, not to 0 AVG.
MPG). The display may take several miles/kilometers
for the value to change, depending upon driving
habits. If equipped with a 5.7L engine and Multi
Displacement System (MDS), FUEL SAVER may be
displayed along with the actual AVG. MPG. If
equipped with MDS option, the EVIC will display
FUEL SAVER when in fuel economy mode.
²MI TO EMPTY (Distance To Empty) ± Shows the
estimated distance that can be traveled with the fuel
remaining in the tank. This estimated distance isdetermined by a weighted average of fuel economy,
according to the current fuel tank level. MI TO EMPTY
cannot be reset through the RESET button.
NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.
When the DTE value is less than 30 miles (48 km)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will change
to a text display of9LOW FUEL.9This display will
continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding a
significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off the
9LOW FUEL9text and a new DTE value will display.
²Global Reset ± If the RESET button is pressed twice
within two seconds while in any of the three resettable
displays (AVG. MPG, ET (ELAPSED TIME) and TRIP),
all three displays will be reset.
168 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge shows level of fuel in the tank when
ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily. The
gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher temperature
when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, or
when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to exceed
the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the en-
gine running as you would not be able to react to the
temperature indicator if the engine overheats.The gauge pointer will remain near its last reading when
the engine is turned off. It will return to a true reading
when the engine is restarted.
3. Turn Signal Indicators
When a turn signal is activated, a right-pointing or
left-pointing arrow lights up and flashes to indicate the
direction of the turn. These indicators also indicate
proper operation of the front and rear turn signal lights.
If either indicator flashes at a faster rate than normal,
check for a defective bulb. If either indicator fails to light
up when the lever is moved, check for a defective fuse or
turn signal LED. A single chime is activated when the
left/right turn signal is left on with the engine RPM
vehicle speed greater than 15 mph (24 km/h) for more
than one mile.
4. Low Fuel Warning Light
This indicator lights when the fuel gauge reads
1/16 of a tank or less.
204 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
If the MIL comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service. See an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see an authorized dealer for service as soon
as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and driveability.
If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur. Immediate
service is required. See an authorized dealer for
service immediately.24. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 213
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As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
214 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
engine speed or power may be noticed when the com-
pressor cycles. This is a normal occurrence since the
compressor will cycle on and off to maintain comfort and
improve fuel economy.
Front Blower Control
The front blower controls the
amount of air delivered to the
passenger compartment.
There are four blower speeds.
The fan speed increases as
you turn the control clock-
wise. When the front blower
control is turned to OFF, the
blower will be turned off and
the system will be positioned
in recirculation mode.
Front Mode Control
The mode control allows you to
choose from several patterns of air
distribution.
NOTE:To improve your selection choices, the system
allows you to operate at intermediate positions between
the major modes. These intermediate positions are iden-
tified by the small dots and give an even blend of both
modes.
256 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
FAN Control
Use this knob to regulate the amount of air delivered
through the system in any mode you select. Rotation
of the knob to increase (clockwise) or decrease (counter-
clockwise) fan speed.
Air Conditioning Operation
Press this button to enable the air conditioning
system. Compressor operation is automatic when
you press the AUTO button and no snowflake is
shown. A snowflake indicates that the A/C system is
enabled. The snowflake will not be displayed in AUTO
mode even though the A/C system is enabled.
The compressor may operate at any temperature above
32ÉF (0ÉC).
NOTE:The compressor will not engage until the engine
has been running for several seconds. Slight changes inengine speed or power may be noticed when the com-
pressor cycles. This is a normal occurrence since the
compressor will cycle on and off to maintain comfort and
improve fuel economy.
Recirculate Button
Press this button to recirculate the air inside the
vehicle. Outside air is prevented from entering
the vehicle. Use this mode to temporarily block
out any outside odors, smoke, dust or when
rapid cooling of the interior is required.
Manual control of recirculation is possible only in Panel,
Floor, and Bi-Level modes. It will not operate in Mix, or
Defrost modes. The recirculation symbol will flash three
times indicating recirculation is not available in these
modes.
262 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
NLimited-Use Spare Ð If Equipped......... 320
NTire Spinning....................... 321
NTread Wear Indicators................. 321
NLife Of Tire......................... 322
NReplacement Tires.................... 323
NAlignment And Balance................ 324
mSupplemental Tire Pressure Information
Ð If Equipped......................... 325
mTire Chains.......................... 325
mSnow Tires.......................... 326
mTire Rotation Recommendations............ 327
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 328
NBase System ± If Equipped.............. 330NPremium System ± If Equipped........... 332
NGeneral Information................... 335
mFuel Requirements..................... 335
NReformulated Gasoline................. 336
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 336
NE-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 337
NMMT In Gasoline.................... 338
NMaterials Added To Fuel............... 338
NFuel System Cautions.................. 338
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings............. 340
mFlexible Fuel (4.7L Engine Only)
Ð If Equipped......................... 340
NE-85 General Information............... 340
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
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