Data parameters that may be recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for
electronically-controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system
•Airbag disable light status (if equipped)
•Timeof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Impact acceleration and angle
•Seat belt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Transmission gear selection
•Cruise control status
•Traction/stability control status
•Tire Pressure Monitoring System status
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time - babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it. Children
12 years and under should ride properly buckled up in a
rear seat, if available. According to crash statistics, chil-
dren are safer when properly restrained in the rear seats
rather than in the front.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult seat belt. Always check the child seat
Owner’s Manual to ensure you have the right seat for
your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your child.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Vehicle Warning Messages
For non-Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles, when the appropriate conditions ex-
ist, messages such as “door ajar” (indicates that a door(s)
may be ajar), “gASCAP” (which indicates that your gas
cap is possibly loose or damaged),CHANgE OIL”
(indicates that the engine oil should be changed), “Lo-
WASH” (low washer fluid), “Lo tirE” (low tire pressure),
and “noFUSE” (indicates that the IOD fuse is removed
from the Integrated Power Module), will display in the
odometer.
NOTE:If the vehicle is equipped with an EVIC, most
warnings will display in the EVIC. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) — If Equipped” in Section 4.
The outside temperature will display in the odometer for
non-EVIC equipped vehicles. Pressing the trip odometer
RESET button toggles the feature back to the odometer.LoW tirE
When the appropriate condition exists the odometer
display will toggle between LoW and tirE for three
cycles.
Change Oil Message
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Change Oil” message will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately
12 seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate
the next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle based, which
means the engine oil change interval may fluctuate
dependent upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Trip Odometer button on the instrument
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
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NOTE:The ESP control system will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when it is actively operating.
23. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system which monitors
the emissions and engine control system. If the
vehicle is ready for emissions testing, the MIL will come
on when the ignition is first turned on and remain on, as
a bulb check, until the engine is started. If the vehicle is
not ready for emissions testing, the MIL will come on
when the ignition is first turned on and remain on for
15 seconds, then blink for 10 seconds, and remain on until
the vehicle is started. If the MIL does not come on during
starting, see an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
If the MIL comes on and remains on while driving, it
suggests a potential engine control problem and the need
for system service.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
212 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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.)
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 tomaintain 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
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 213
4
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.25. Airbag Warning Light
The airbag indicator light illuminates and re-
mains lit for six to eight seconds when the
ignition is first turned ON. If the light does not
come on when the ignition is first turned on, or
the light stays on or comes on while driving, have the
airbag system checked by an authorized dealer.
26. 4WD Indicator
The 4WD indicator light illuminates when the
transfer case is in 4WD position.
27. SVC (Service) 4WD Indicator
The SVC 4WD light will illuminate when the
ignition key is turned to the ON position and
will stay on for two seconds. If the light stays
on or comes on during driving, it means that
the 4WD system is not functioning properly and that
service is required.
214 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Driving Through Water................. 304
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 304
▫Shallow Standing Water............... 304
Power Steering....................... 306
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 307
Parking Brake........................ 308
Anti-Lock Brake System................. 309
Electronic Brake Control System........... 312
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........... 312
▫Traction Control System (TCS)........... 313
▫Brake Assist System (BAS).............. 313
▫Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)......... 314
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP)........ 315▫Trailer Sway Control (TSC)............. 319
▫ESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light...................... 319
Tire Safety Information................. 320
▫Tire Markings....................... 320
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)......... 324
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure.......... 325
Tires — General Information............. 329
▫Tire Pressure....................... 329
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................ 330
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 331
▫Radial Ply Tires..................... 332
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped....... 332
286 STARTING AND OPERATING
▫Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped........ 333
▫Tire Spinning....................... 334
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 334
▫Life Of Tire........................ 335
▫Replacement Tires.................... 336
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information —
If Equipped.......................... 337
Tire Chains.......................... 337
Snow Tires.......................... 339
Tire Rotation Recommendations........... 339
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 340
▫Base System........................ 342
▫Premium System – If Equipped.......... 344▫General Information.................. 347
Fuel Requirements..................... 347
▫Reformulated Gasoline................ 348
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 349
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 349
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 350
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 350
▫Fuel System Cautions................. 350
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............ 351
Flexible Fuel (4.7L Engine Only) —
If Equipped.......................... 352
▫E-85 General Information............... 352
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)................... 353
STARTING AND OPERATING 287
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