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.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
To activate the delay feature, place the ignition in the OFF
position while the headlights are still on. Then, turn off
the headlights within 45 seconds. The delay interval
begins when the headlight switch is turned off.
If you turn the headlights or parking lights, or place the
ignition in the RUN position, the system will cancel the
delay.
If you turn the headlights off before the ignition, they will
turn off in the normal manner.
NOTE:The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds
of placing the ignition in the OFF position to activate this
feature.
The Headlight delay time is programmable. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Customer-Programmable Features” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped
The high beam headlights will come on as Daytime
Running Lights whenever the ignition is placed in the
RUN position, the headlights are off and the parking
brake is released. The headlight switch must be used for
normal nighttime driving.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is placed in the OFF position, a chime will sound to alert
the driver when the driver’s door is opened.
Fog Lights
The front fog light switch is built into the head-
light switch. To activate the front fog lights, turn
on the parking lights or the low beam headlights
and press the headlight switch. To turn off the front fog
lights, either press the headlight switch again or turn off
the headlight switch.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 125
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“Check Gascap” message will display in the odometer
display area. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and
press the TRIP ODOMETER button to turn off the
message. If the problem continues, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
20. Brake Warning LightThis 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 reservoir. If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction. In this case, the light will
remain on until the condition has been corrected.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in 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.
164 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the
Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
RUN position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the RUN position.
NOTE:
This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
21. Vehicle Security Light — If Equipped This light will flash at a fast rate for approxi-
mately 15 seconds, when the vehicle security
alarm is arming, and then will flash slowly
until the vehicle is disarmed.
22. 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
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 165
•This feature will only function when applying the
brakes at speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h).
•Engaging the parking brake will disable this feature.
•The word “READY” will flash when conditions are
met for the event to begin.
•The distance and speed measurements display while
the event is taking place.
•The distance measurement will be aborted if the brake
pedal is released before the vehicle comes to a com-
plete stop.
•The distance and speed measurements will continue to
display until the FUNCTION SELECT button is
pressed.
•Pressing the FUNCTION SELECT button will clear the
current run and prepare the cluster to record a new
run.
1/8 Mile, 1/4 Mile
When selected, this screen displays the time it takes the
vehicle to travel 1/8 mile (1/4 mile) within 30 seconds
and the vehicle’s speed when it reaches 1/8 mile (1/
4 mile).
•The feature will “ready” when the vehicle is at 0 mph
(0 km/h). The word “READY” will flash when condi-
tions are met for the event to begin.
•Dashes will display if the vehicle fails to reach
1/8 mile (1/4 mile) in less then 30 seconds.
•The time and speed will continue to display until the
FUNCTION SELECT button is pressed.
•Pressing the FUNCTION SELECT button will clear the
current run and display the vehicle’s best 1/8 mile
(1/4 mile) run.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
▫Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 254
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 254
AutoStick .......................... 257
▫ Operation ......................... 258
▫ General Information .................. 259
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 259
▫ Acceleration ........................ 259
▫ Traction ........................... 260
Driving Through Water ................. 260
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 261
Power Steering ....................... 263
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 263
Parking Brake ........................ 264
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 265
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 266
Brake System ........................ 267
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 267
Electronic Brake Control System ........... 270
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 271
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 271
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 272
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual
Transmission Only ................... 273
▫ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ........ 274
▫ Synchronizing ESP ................... 278
234 STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key
fob in the ignition. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and press the clutch pedal before starting vehicle.
This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlocking igni-
tion system. It will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting with Integrated Key – Manual
Transmission
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Press the clutch pedal fully to the floor, and turn the
ignition switch to the START position and release when
the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 237
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/
STOP button must be held for two seconds and vehicle
speed must be above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain in
the ACC position until the shift lever is in PARK and the
button is pressed twice to the OFF position. If the shift
lever is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP
button is pressed once, the EVIC (if equipped) will
display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message and the engine
will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of the
PARK position, or it could roll.
NOTE:If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after
60 minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.To Turn Off the Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button – Manual Transmission Only
1. With the vehicle stopped, place the shift lever in
NEUTRAL, then press and release the ENGINE START/
STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. Place the shift lever in first gear or Reverse and then
apply the parking brake.
NOTE:
•If the ignition switch is left in the ACC position, the
system will automatically time out after 60 minutes of
inactivity and the ignition will switch to the OFF
position.
•If the ignition switch is left in the RUN position, the
system will automatically time out after 60 minutes of
inactivity if the vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h) and
the engine is not running.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 241