Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel OverviewInstrument Panel Overview......4-4
ControlsSteering Wheel Adjustment.....4-6
Steering Wheel Controls.........4-6
Horn....................................4-7
Windshield Wiper/Washer.......4-7
Compass.............................4-8
Clock...................................4-8
Power Outlets.......................4-9
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.....................4-9
Instrument Cluster...............4-10
Speedometer......................4-11
Odometer...........................4-11
Trip Odometer.....................4-11
Tachometer........................4-11
Fuel Gage..........................4-11
Engine Oil Pressure Gage......4-12Engine Oil
Temperature Gage.............4-13
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage.............4-14
Transmission
Temperature Gage.............4-14
Voltmeter Gage...................4-15
Safety Belt Reminders..........4-16
Airbag Readiness Light.........4-17
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator...........................4-18
Charging System Light.........4-19
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp..................4-19
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-22
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light...........4-23
Traction Off Light.................4-23
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light.......4-24
Traction Control System
(TCS) OFF/StabiliTrak
®OFF
Light................................4-24
Tire Pressure Light..............4-24
Engine Oil Pressure Light.....4-25
Immobilizer Light.................4-26
Fog Lamp Light...................4-26
Taillamp Indicator Light.........4-26
Cruise Control Light.............4-26
Information DisplaysDriver Information
Center (DIC).....................4-27
Vehicle MessagesBattery Voltage and
Charging Messages............4-30
Brake System Messages......4-31
Compass Messages.............4-31
Cruise Control Messages......4-31
Door Ajar Messages............4-31
Engine Cooling System
Messages.........................4-32
Engine Oil Messages...........4-32
Engine Power Messages......4-33
Fuel System Messages........4-33
Key and Lock Messages......4-33
Lamp Messages..................4-33
Object Detection System
Messages.........................4-34
Ride Control System
Messages.........................4-34
Airbag System Messages......4-35
Safety Belt Messages...........4-35
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages.........................4-35
Service Vehicle Messages.....4-35
Tire Messages....................4-36
Transmission Messages........4-36
Vehicle Reminder
Messages.........................4-37
Instruments and Controls 4-1
A.Air Vents on page 7-3.
B. Driver Shift Controls
(If Equipped). SeeAutomatic
Transmission on page 8-26.
C.Instrument Cluster on page 4-10.
D.Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 4-7.
E.AM-FM Radio on page 6-8.
F.Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 5-4.Headlamp
High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 5-2.Flash-to-Pass
on page 5-3.Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 4-27
(If Equipped).G.Cruise Control on page 8-38.
H.Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 5-1.Front Fog Lamps
on page 5-5(If Equipped).
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 5-5.
I.Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 4-6.
J.Horn on page 4-7.
K.Steering Wheel Controls on
page 4-6.
L.Climate Control Systems on
page 7-1.M.Transmission Temperature
Gage on page 4-14.Voltmeter
Gage on page 4-15.Engine
Oil Temperature Gage on
page 4-13.Engine Oil Pressure
Gage on page 4-12.
N. Shift Lever. SeeShifting Into
Park on page 8-21.
O.Power Outlets on page 4-9.
P.Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 5-4.Power Door Locks
on page 1-7.
Q.Glove Box on page 3-1.
Instruments and Controls 4-5
This gage, located in front of the
shifter, shows the transmission
oil temperature when the ignition is
on. If the gage is reading in the
red area and/or a message appears
in the DIC, the vehicle must be
stopped and the cause checked.
One possible cause is a low level in
the transmission.For information on the DIC
messages seeTransmission
Messages on page 4-36.
Notice:If the vehicle is driven
with the transmission temperature
gage above the normal operating
range, the transmission can be
damaged. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not drive the vehicle while the
transmission temperature gage
reading is above normal. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Voltmeter Gage
This gage, located in front of the
shifter, shows the battery’s state of
charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, but the
ignition is on, this gage shows
the condition of the charging system.
The vehicle’s charging system
regulates voltage based on the state
of charge of the battery. It is normal
for the voltmeter to fluctuate. Canada
United States Version Shown,
Canada Similar
Instruments and Controls 4-15
Avoid downshifting to brake
or slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 RPM.
Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine in high
gear at low speeds. With a
manual transmission, shift to
the next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
Do not participate in racing
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during this
break-in period.
Check engine oil with every
refueling and add if necessary.
Oil and fuel consumption may
be higher than normal during
the rst 2 414 km/1,500 miles.
To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid
hard cornering for the rst
322 km/200 miles. New tires do
not have maximum traction and
may tend to slip.
New brake linings also need a
break-in period. Avoid making
hard stops during the rst
322 km/200 miles. This is
recommended every time
brake linings are replaced.
Should the vehicle be used for
racing or competitive driving
(after break-in), the rear axle
lubricant must be replaced
beforehand.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand,
see your dealer/retailer.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply
the brake pedal.
Driving and Operating 8-17
If charging or jump starting the
battery does not work, remove the
plug covering the hole below the
ignition lock. Insert a screwdriver into
the opening as far as it will go and
remove the key from the ignition.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for up to 10 minutes after
the engine is turned off:
•Audio System
•Power Windows
The power windows will continue to
work for up to 10 minutes or until any
door is opened. The radio will work
when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF,
the radio will continue to work for
10 minutes, or until the driver door
is opened or the key is removed
from the ignition.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
vehicle when it is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in
N (Neutral) and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
down to the floor and start the
engine. The vehicle will not start
if the clutch pedal is not all the
way down.Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as the engine
warms. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Allow
the oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key
is turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking
for a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine
does not start and the key
is held in START for many
seconds, cranking stops
after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage.
Driving and Operating 8-19
To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch
to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.
Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start
after 5-10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below 0°F or
−18°C), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for a
maximum of 15 seconds. Wait atleast 15 seconds between each
try, to allow the cranking motor to
cool. When the engine starts, let
go of the key and accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, repeat the
procedure. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not
race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics in the
vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates.
Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not,
the engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.Engine Heater
The engine coolant heater, if
available, can help in cold weather
conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C)
for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Plug in the coolant heater at least
four hours before starting the vehicle.
An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
8-20 Driving and Operating
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, move that
hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to
the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel
flash whenever signaling a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also flash, telling
other drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument panel flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you
may think other drivers are seeing
the signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to be
sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the transmission
is not shifted down, the brakes might
have to be used so much that they
would get hot and no longer
work well.Vehicles with an automatic
transmission can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads and/or
hilly conditions. For vehicles with
a manual transmission, it is
better not to use the highest gear.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades,
the vehicle may show signs similar
to engine overheating. To avoid
this, let the engine run while
parked, preferably on level ground,
with the automatic transmission
in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off.
Driving and Operating 8-51
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual’s Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system and brake system.
It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 9-24.
Trailer Towing
Before pulling a trailer, there are
three important considerations that
have to do with weight:
•The weight of the trailer.
•The weight of the trailer tongue.
•The total weight on your
vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,000 lbs (454 kg). But even
that can be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used.
For example, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature and
how much the vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It candepend on any special equipment
on the vehicle, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue”
later in this section for more
information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the tow
vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment,
passengers and cargo in the tow
vehicle must be subtracted from
the maximum trailer weight.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our
trailering information or advice, or
you can write us at our Customer
Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer
Assistance Offices on page 12-3
for more information.
Driving and Operating 8-53