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WARNING! (Continued)
•Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Al-
ways properly reinstall and secure floor mats that
have been removed for cleaning.
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver foot well while the vehicle is moving.
Objects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
•If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss
of control of the vehicle.
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.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81
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CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions may cause interior
water damage, stains or mildew on the top material:
•Avoid high-pressure car washes, as they can dam-
age the top material. Also, increased water pres-
sure may force past the weather strips.
•Remove any standing water from the top and dry
the surface before opening it. Operating the top,
opening a door or lowering a window while the
top is wet may allow water to drip into the
vehicles interior.
•Use care when washing the vehicle, water pressure
directed at the weather strip seals may cause water
to leak into the vehicles interior.
WARNING!
The convertible top does not provide the structural
protection that a reinforced metal roof does and the
fabric top cannot be expected to prevent the ejection
of the occupants in a collision. Therefore, it is impor-
tant that all occupants wear their seat belts at all
times. Death or serious injuries could occur if you are
ejected from the vehicle during a collision.
You can lower or raise the power convertible top from
inside the vehicle or lower the top remotely using the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. Either operation
takes approximately 30 seconds. The entire process, in-
cluding unlatching or latching the top at the windshield
header is automatic.
The top does take up some space in the trunk when
retracted. However, the trunk will still hold a significant
amount of cargo.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
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•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
25. 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
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 to
maintain 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
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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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
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.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169
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ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) – IF EQUIPPED
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
instrument cluster.The EVIC consists of the following:•System Status
•Vehicle information warning message displays
•Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)
•Compass heading display (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE,
SW)
•Outside temperature display (°F or °C)
•Trip computer functions
•Audio mode displays – 12 preset Radio Stations or CD
Title and Track number when playing
•Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) displays (if
equipped)
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
172 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 260
▫ Acceleration ........................ 260
▫ Traction ........................... 260
Driving Through Water ................. 261
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 261
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 261
Power Steering ....................... 263
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 264
Parking Brake ........................ 264
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 267
Electronic Brake Control System ........... 269
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 269
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 270▫
Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 270
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ...... 271
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 273
Tire Safety Information ................. 277
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 277
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 280
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 281
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 282
Tires — General Information ............. 286
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 286
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 287
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 289
▫ Compact Spare Tire ................... 289
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▫Tire Spinning ....................... 290
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 291
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 292
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 292
Tire Chains .......................... 294
Snow Tires .......................... 294
Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 294
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 295
▫ Base System ........................ 298
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 300
▫ General Information .................. 304
Fuel Requirements ..................... 304
▫ 2.4L And 2.7L Engine ................. 304 ▫
3.5L Engine ........................ 304
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 305
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 305
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 306
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 307
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 307
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 308
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 309
Flexible Fuel (2.7L Only) — If Equipped ..... 310
▫ E85 General Information ............... 310
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E85) ................... 311
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 311
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STARTING AND OPERATING 245
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ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides increased
vehicle stability and brake performance under most
braking conditions. The system operates with a separate
computer to modulate the hydraulic pressure to prevent
wheel lock-up and avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
WARNING!
•Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 267