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Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
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.
84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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9. Oil Pressure Warning LightThis light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light will come on and remain on when the
ignition switch is turned from the OFF to the ON
position, and the light will turn off after the engine is
started. If the bulb does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
10. Engine Temperature Warning Light This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a warning chime
will sound 10 times. After the chime turns off, the
engine will still be critically hot until the light goes out. 11. Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system (if equipped).
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE: The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
148 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 232 of 436

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 247
▫ Acceleration ........................ 247
▫ Traction ........................... 248
Driving Through Water ................. 248
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 248
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 249
Power Steering ....................... 250
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 251
Parking Brake ........................ 252
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 254
Electronic Brake Control System ........... 256
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 257
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 257▫
Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 257
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) — If Equipped ..... 258
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 260
Tire Safety Information ................. 264
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 264
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 267
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 268
Tires — General Information ............. 272
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 272
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 273
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 275
▫ Compact Spare Tire ................... 275
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 276
232 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 250 of 436

WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
•Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
250 STARTING AND OPERATING
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If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in Section 7 for the correct fluid type.
PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply parking brake fully
when parked to guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake. When parking on a hill, it is important to apply the
parking brake before placing the shift lever in PARK,
otherwise the load on the transaxle locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK.
As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
To apply the parking brake, grasp the handle and pull it
upward until you feel resistance. To release the parking
brake, grasp the handle and pull it slightly while pressing
the button on the end of the handle. When the button
drops into the handle (releasing the lock), guide the
handle downward to its stop, and then release the button
and the handle.
252 STARTING AND OPERATING
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▫Adding Washer Fluid ................. 352
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 352
▫ Cooling System ..................... 354
▫ Brake System ....................... 360
▫ Automatic Transaxle .................. 362
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 365
▫ Cleaning Center Console Cupholders ...... 370
Fuses .............................. 371
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) . . . 371
Vehicle Storage ....................... 376
Replacement Bulbs .................... 377
Bulb Replacement ..................... 377
▫ Headlamp ......................... 377
▫ Front Turn Signal/Parking Lamp ......... 379
▫ Front Fog Lamp ..................... 380
▫ Tail/Stop, Rear Turn Signal And Backup
Lamps ............................ 381
▫ License Plate Lamp ................... 384
▫ Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp
(CHMSL) .......................... 385
Fluids And Capacities .................. 386
Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 387
▫ Engine ............................ 387
▫ Chassis ........................... 388
334 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 335 of 436
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir7 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 8 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Automatic Transaxle Dipstick 9 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Integrated Power Module 11 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
6 — Power Distribution Center
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 335
Page 336 of 436
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.7L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir7 — Power Distribution Center
2 — Coolant Pressure Cap 8 — Air Cleaner Filter
3 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Automatic Transaxle Dipstick 10 — Engine Oil Fill
5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 11 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
6 — Integrated Power Module
336 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE