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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.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81
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WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7 and follow the
warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
5. Front Fog Light Indicator Light — If Equipped This light shows when the fog lights are ON. (See
page 148 for more information.)
6. Low Fuel Warning Light This indicator lights when the fuel level drops to
approximately one-eighth tank. (See page 372 for
more information.) 7. Turn Signal Indicator Light
The left or right arrow will flash in unison with the
corresponding front and rear turn signal lights when
the turn signal switch is operated. (See page 149 for more
information.)
NOTE: A chime will sound if the vehicle is driven more
than 1 mi (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.
NOTE: Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if
either indicator flashes at a rapid rate.
8. High Beam Indicator Light This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the multifunction lever on the left side
of the steering column toward you to switch to low beam.
(See page 150 for more information.)
9. Speedometer
Shows the vehicle speed.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
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16. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light —
If EquippedThis light will turn on briefly as a bulb check
when the ignition switch is turned ON. This
light will also turn on while the engine is
running if there is a problem with the Elec-
tronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.
If the light turns on while the engine is running, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as possible,
place the shift lever in PARK, and cycle the ignition key.
The light should turn off. If the light remains lit with the
engine running, your vehicle will usually be drivable.
However, see your authorized dealer for service as soon
as possible.
If the light is flashing when the engine is running,
immediate service is required. In this case, you may
experience reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle
or engine stall, and your vehicle may require towing. Also, have the system checked by an authorized dealer if
the light does not turn on during starting.
17. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
will turn on and remain on when the ignition
switch is turned from the LOCK or ACC position to the
ON position. The light will turn off after the engine is
started.
If the light does not turn on during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the light turns on and remains on while driving, safely
bring the vehicle to a stop and shut off the engine. DO
NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS
CORRECTED. This light does not show the quantity of
oil in the engine. The engine oil level must be checked
using the proper procedure. (See page 424 for more
information.)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 211
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•Channel # Transmit. Refer to “Garage Door Opener” in
Section 2.
•Channel # Training. Refer to “Garage Door Opener” in
Section 2.
•Channel # Trained. Refer to “Garage Door Opener” in
Section 2.
•Clearing Channels. Refer to “Garage Door Opener” in
Section 2.
•Channels Cleared. Refer to “Garage Door Opener” in
Section 2.
•Did Not Train. Refer to “Garage Door Opener” in
Section 2.
•Left Front Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
information on “Tire Pressure” and “Tire Pressure
Monitor” in Section 5.
•Left Rear Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer to
information on “Tire Pressure” and “Tire Pressure
Monitor” in Section 5.
•Right Front Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer
to information on “Tire Pressure” and “Tire Pressure
Monitor” in Section 5.
•Right Rear Low Pressure (with a single chime). Refer
to information on “Tire Pressure” and “Tire Pressure
Monitor” in Section 5.
•Check TPM System (with a single chime). Refer to
information on “Tire Pressure Monitor” in Section 5.
•Low Fuel
•Cal
•Oil Change Required (with a single chime)
•Low Washer Fluid
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) —
If Equipped ...........................355
▫ Base System — If Equipped ..............358
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ..........360
▫ General Information ...................363
Flexible Fuel— 2.7L Engines Only
(Except California Emission States) ..........364
▫ E-85 General Information ................364
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................365
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................365
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .......366
▫ Starting ............................367
▫ Cruising Range .......................367 ▫
Replacement Parts .....................367
▫ Maintenance .........................367
Fuel Requirements ......................368
▫ 2.4L And 2.7L Engines ..................368
▫ 3.5L Engine .........................368
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................369
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............369
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................370
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................371
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................371
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............372
Adding Fuel ..........................372
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............372
STARTING AND OPERATING 305
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These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 in (2 mm). When the tread is worn to the
tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced.
Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this
point.
Life of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including, but not limited to:
•Driving style
•Tire pressure
•Distance driven
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have an accident resulting
in serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed. (Refer to the paragraph on
352 STARTING AND OPERATING
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CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads “H,”
safely pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the A/C turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
“H,” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the en-
gine OFF immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant. You
may want to call a service center if your vehicle over-
heats. If you decide to look under the hood yourself,
refer to Section 7 and follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Gas and 2.0L
Diesel Engines Only (If Equipped)
On hot days the engine oil temperature may become too
hot during sustained high-speed driving or if towing a
trailer up long grades. If this happens, a HOTOIL mes-
sage will flash in the odometer and the vehicle speed will
be reduced to 48 mph (77 km/h) maximum until the
engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:Although the maximum vehicle speed is re-
duced to 48 mph (77 km/h), you may of course reduce
vehicle speed further as needed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 395
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2.7L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 — Coolant Bottle7 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
2 — Coolant Pressure Cap 8 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post
3 — Power Steering Fluid 9 — Remote Jump-Start Negative Post
4 — Engine Oil Fill 10 — Fuses (Totally Integrated Power Module [TIPM])
5 — Engine Oil Dipstick 11 — Air Cleaner Filter
6 — Automatic Transaxle Dispstick 12 — Washer Fluid Bottle
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 419
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