
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to changethe engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Wheneverthe oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculatewhen the next oil change is required. If a situation occurswhere the oil is changed prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OILSOON message in the Driver Information Center (DIC)being turned on, reset the system.
After the oil has been changed, the CHANGE ENGINEOIL SOON message must be reset:
1. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position withoutstarting the engine.
2. Press the INFO button on the Driver InformationCenter (DIC) until OIL LIFE REMAINING isdisplayed. SeeDIC Operation and Displays onpage 4-62.
3. Press and hold the INFO RESET button until 100%is displayed. This resets the oil life indicator.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message comesback on when the vehicle is started, the engine oillife system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can beunhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Cleanyour skin and nails with soap and water, or a goodhand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing orrags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’swarnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If youchange your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from thefilter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting itin the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or intostreams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to aplace that collects used oil.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12forthe location of the engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the MaintenanceIIintervals and replace it at the first oil change after each50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduledMaintenance on page 7-3for more information. If youare driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filterat each engine oil change.
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How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you maychoose to have this done at the dealer/retailer servicedepartment.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructionshere or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little fluid can damageyour transmission. Too much can mean that someof the fluid could come out and fall on hot engineparts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire.Too little fluid could cause the transmission tooverheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if youcheck your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking thetransmission fluid level if you have been driving:
•When outside temperatures are above 32°C (90°F).
•At high speed for quite a while.
•In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
•While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be atnormal operating temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C(180°F to 200°F).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 24 km(15 miles) when outside temperatures are above10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C (50°F), you mayhave to drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the enginerunning.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift leverin P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shiftlever through each gear range, pausing for aboutthree seconds in each range. Then, positionthe shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Locate the transmission fluid cap which is locatednext to the radiator hose and below the engine aircleaner/filter assembly on the driver side of thevehicle. The cap is marked TRANS FLUID.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for more information on location.
2. After removing the engine air cleaner/filter assemblyto reach the transmission fluid cap, turn the capcounterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstickand wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
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3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, andthen pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick and readthe lower level. The fluid level must be in thecross-hatched area.
5. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push thedipstick back in all the way and turn the handleclockwise.
6. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/filter assembly.
How to Add Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine whatkind of transmission fluid to use. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants on page 7-8.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the properfluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area onthe dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at thedipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much fluid, generally less thanone pint (0.5 L). Do not overfill.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmissionfluid may damage the vehicle, and the damagesmay not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.Always use the automatic transmission fluid listedinRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-8.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level asdescribed under “How to Check AutomaticTransmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, pushthe dipstick back in all the way and turn thehandle clockwise.
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{WARNING:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank
pressure cap — even a little — they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolantas follows:
1. Remove the coolantsurge tank pressurecap when the coolingsystem, includingthe coolant surge tankpressure cap andupper radiator hose, isno longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise.If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hissmeans there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surgetank with the propermixture to theFULL COLD markon the side ofthe coolant surge tank.
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Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluidreservoir is located next tothe underhood fuseblock on the passengerside of the vehicle.SeeEngine CompartmentOverview on page 6-12for more informationon location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluidunless you suspect there is a leak in the system oryou hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this systemcould indicate a problem. Have the system inspectedand repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartmentcool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a cleanrag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the fluid level onthe dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. Ifnecessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up tothe mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, seeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-8.Always use the proper fluid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect fluid may damage thevehicle and the damages may not be covered bythe vehicle’s warranty. Always use the correct fluidlisted inRecommended Fluids and Lubricantson page 7-8.
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Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to helpprevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspectbrake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts inthe proper sequence to torque specifications inCapacities and Specifications on page 6-109.
Brake linings should always be replaced as completeaxle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does notreturn to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase inpedal travel. This could be a sign that brake servicemight be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied, with or without thevehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its manyparts have to be of top quality and work well together ifthe vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehiclewas designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.When parts of the braking system are replaced — forexample, when the brake linings wear down and newones are installed — be sure to get new approvedreplacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes mightnot work properly.
For example, if someone puts in brake linings that arewrong for the vehicle, the balance between the front andrear brakes can change — for the worse. The brakingperformance expected can change in many other ways ifthe wrong replacement brake parts are installed.
Battery
Refer to the replacement number on the original batterylabel when a new battery is needed.
{DANGER:
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
The battery is under the rear seat cushion. To accessthe battery, seeRear Underseat Fuse Block onpage 6-104. Access to the battery is not necessary tojump start the vehicle. SeeJump Starting on page 6-36.
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2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cablescan reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touchingeach other. If they are, it could cause a groundconnection you do not want. You would not be ableto start your vehicle and the bad grounding coulddamage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, setthe parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved inthe jump start procedure. Put an automatictransmission in P (Park) or a manual transmissionin NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave the radio or other accessorieson during the jump starting procedure, they could bedamaged. The repairs would not be covered by thewarranty. Always turn off the radio and otheraccessories when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplugunnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarettelighter or the accessory power outlets. Turn offthe radio and all lamps that are not needed. Thiswill avoid sparks and help save both batteries.And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) andnegative (!) terminal locations on the othervehicle. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jumpstarting terminal and a remote negative (!) jumpstarting terminal.
The remote positive (+) terminal is located in theengine compartment on the passenger’s side of thevehicle. Lift the red plastic cap to access theterminal. SeeEngine Compartment Overview onpage 6-12for more information on the locationof the remote positive (+) terminal.
A second remote positive (+) terminal is located onthe rear underseat fuse block.
The remote negative (!) terminal is located behindthe power steering pulley, near the engine cover.It is marked GND (!).
4.6L LD8 Engine shown,4.6L L37 Enginesimilar
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4. At a wall, measure from the ground upward (A) tothe recorded distance from Step 3 and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B) the width of thevehicle at the wall where it was marked in Step 4.
Notice:Do not cover a headlamp to improve beamcut-off when aiming. Covering a headlamp maycause excessive heat build-up which may causedamage to the headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps and place apiece of cardboard or equivalent in front of theheadlamp not being aimed. This should allow onlythe beam of light from the headlamp beingaimed to be seen on the flat surface.
7. Locate the vertical headlamp aiming screws. Theyare located under the hood near each headlampassembly. First lift the flap to access either of them.Each one is the top outboard screw by the “ V” on thecover panel next to the aiming flap.
The adjustment screw can be turned with a 6 mmhex wrench.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the headlampbeam is aimed to the horizontal tape line. Turn itclockwise or counterclockwise to raise or lower theangle of the beam.
The top edge of the cut-off should be positioned atthe bottom edge of the horizontal tape line.
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