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•Distance To Empty (DTE)
•Elapsed Time
•Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
•Personal Settings
To Reset The Display
Pressing and holding the EVIC button once will clear the
function currently being displayed. Reset will only occur
if a resettable function is currently being displayed. To
reset all resettable functions, press and release the EVIC
button a second time within three seconds of resetting the
currently displayed function. Reset ALL will be dis-
played during this three second window.
Compass/Temperature/Audio
Press and release the EVIC button to display one of eight
compass headings to indicate the direction the vehicle is
facing, the outside temperature and the current radio
station.
For additional information regarding the compass, refer
to Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)
in this Section.
Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read
“RESET” or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the
history information will be erased, and the averaging will
continue from the last fuel reading before the reset.
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Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. This is not resettable.
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 (48.3 km)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will change
to a text display ofLOW FUEL. This display will
continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding a
significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off the
LOW FUELtext and a new DTE value will be dis-
played, based on the current values in the DTE calcula-
tion and the current fuel tank level.
Elapsed Time
Shows the total elapsed time of travel since the last reset
when the ignition switch is in the ACC position. Elapsed
time will increment when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
Refer to Section 5, “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” for system operation.
Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable
Features)
This allows the driver to set and recall features when the
transmission is in PARK (automatic transmission) or the
vehicle is stopped (manual transmissions).
Press and release the EVIC button until “Personal Set-
tings” is displayed in the EVIC.
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NOTE:There is a difference in temperature between the
upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer
air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved
comfort during sunny but cool conditions.
Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets and side
window demister outlets with a small amount
through the defrost outlet.
Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost and side
window demister outlets. This setting works best in
cold or snowy conditions that require extra heat at
the windshield. This setting is good for maintaining
comfort while reducing moisture on the windshield.Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demister outlets. Use this mode with
maximum fan and temperature settings for best wind-
shield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in
both Mix and Defrost even if the Air Conditioning
Snowflake button is not pressed. This dehumidifies the
air to help dry the windshield. To improve fuel economy,
use these modes only when necessary.
Air Outlets
The airflow from each of the instrument panel outlets can
be adjusted for direction and turned on or off to control
air flow.
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Tire Chains.......................... 318
Snow Tires.......................... 318
Tire Rotation Recommendations............ 318
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)..... 319
▫Base System........................ 322
▫Premium System — If Equipped.......... 324
▫General Information................... 328
Fuel Requirements..................... 328
▫Reformulated Gasoline................. 329
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 329
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 329
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 330
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 331▫Fuel System Cautions.................. 331
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............. 332
Adding Fuel......................... 332
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 332
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 334
Vehicle Loading....................... 335
▫Vehicle Certification Label.............. 335
Trailer Towing........................ 337
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 337
▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 339
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)...................... 340
254 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See Section 6
of this manual for jump-starting instructions.
Extremely Cold Weather (Below20°F Or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there. Crank the engine for no more than 15 seconds. This
should clear any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the
accelerator pedal and repeat the “Normal Starting” pro-
cedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
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Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transaxle for optimal fuel economy,
it should be upshifted as listed in the following table.
Manual Transaxle Recommended Shift Speeds
Units in mph (km/h)
Engine
SizeAccel-
eration
Rate1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
All En-
ginesAccel 14 (23) 23 (37) 29 (47) 45 (72)
Cruise 12 (19) 18 (29) 25 (40) 32 (52)
Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to 2nd or 1st gear when descending a steep grade.
When turning a corner or driving up a steep grade,
downshift early so that the engine will not be
overburdened.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE — IF EQUIPPED
NOTE:The Continuously Variable Automatic Transaxle
(CVT) changes ratios in a continuous manner. This may
sometimes “feel” as if it is slipping, but this is normal and
does not harm anything.
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REVERSE
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NEUTRAL
The engine may be started in this range.
DRIVE
This should be used for most driving and provides the
best ratio for optimum drivability, fuel economy, and
performance.
AUTOSTICK— IF EQUIPPED
Autostickis a driver-interactive transmission that offers
six manual ratio changes to provide you with more
control. Autostickallows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also
provide you with more control during passing, city driv-
ing, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer
towing, and many other situations. Automatic ratiochanges upward will only occur to protect the Continu-
ously Variable Automatic Transaxle (CVT) and/or the
engine from overspeed. Changes down will only happen
at minimum engine speed to prevent stalling.
Operation
NOTE:Autostickis not functional until the CVT
warms up in cold weather.
Autostickoperation is activated in the DRIVE position
by moving the shift lever side-to-side. Moving the shift
lever to the (+) side will activate Autostickand shift up
to the next higher manual ratio, unless you are already
operating in or near Overdrive, in which case 6th ratio
will be selected. In like manner, moving the shift lever to
(-) will activate Autostickand shift to the next lower
manual ratio. After Autostickis activated, the manual
ratio selected is displayed in the transmission ratio
display and tipping the shift lever to the (+) or (-)
direction will cause an upshift or downshift by one ratio.
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•Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on
the chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and sus-
pension. Retighten them, if required, and torque to the
values specified in the Service Manual.
•Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These
things could be a fire hazard, or they might hide
damage to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals,
and propeller shafts.
•After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or
similar dirty conditions, have brake drums and rotors,
brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as
soon as possible.
•If you experience unusual vibration after driving in
mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for
packed material. Packed foreign material can cause a
wheel imbalance and cleaning the wheels will correct
the situation.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might
not have full braking power when you need it to
prevent an accident. If you have been operating your
vehicle in dirty conditions, get your brakes checked
and cleaned as necessary. Failure to do so may result
is serious injury.
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