•Fill the fuel tank. This will prevent water condensation
inside the tank. If you plan to store your vehicle more
than two months, add an anti-oxidant fuel stabilizer to
the fuel tank.
•Change the oil to remove any corrosive combustion
related acids in the crankcase.
•Check that the radiator coolant level of protection is to
at least -20°F (-29°C).
•Make sure that all tires are inflated to the optimum
pressure.
•Wash and wax the vehicle to protect the finish.
•Store the vehicle in a dry, well-ventilated location.
•Move the wiper blades away from the windshield.
•Block the wheels. Do not apply the parking brake.
•Cut blocks of plywood about the same size of the tires.
Cover each block with indoor/outdoor carpeting and
place them between the tires and concrete. This will
prevent tire flat spotting.
•For long-term storage, remove the tires and put the
vehicle up on blocks. Stack the tires on plywood and
cover with a tarp to prevent flat spotting.
•If the vehicle will be subjected to freezing tempera-
tures, either remove the battery and store it in a dry,
well ventilated area or connect a trickle charger
(1.5 Amp) with automatic shutdown / overcharge
protection to the battery. However, do not leave the
trickle charger hooked up to the battery without being
plugged in to a 110 Volt AC outlet, as this will result in
further drain on the vehicle’s battery. If the vehicle is
not going to be driven in the next three weeks, perform
the battery recharge procedure in the Service Manual.
Then, either disconnect the battery at the negative
248 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and transmission,
and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
NOTE: Also, inspect the exhaust system if you notice a
change in the sound of the exhaust system, or if the
exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the suspension components.
•Lubricate door hinges and check springs.
•Check the engine coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
•Check power steering fluid level.
8
M A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S266 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Clean Air............................ 181
Ethanol ............................. 182
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 185
Gasoline ............................ 181
Gauge .............................. 118
Methanol ............................ 182
Octane Rating ...................... 181,261
Requirements ...................... 181,260
Tank Capacity ........................ 260
Fuel System Caution ..................... 186
Fueling ............................... 185
Fuses ................................ 244
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .................. 185
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 181
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 181
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 181
Gauges ............................... 116
Coolant Temperature .................... 116 Fuel
................................ 118
Oil Pressure .......................... 117
Speedometer ......................... 108
Tachometer .......................... 116
Voltmeter ............................ 118
General Information ...................... 23
Glass Cleaning .......................... 240
Ground Clearance ....................... 187
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising,
or Shallow Standing Water ............... 151
Hazard Warning Flasher ................ 111,190
Headlights .......................... 88,252
High Beam ........................... 91
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ......... 91
Lights On Reminder ..................... 90
Passing .............................. 91
Switch ............................... 88
10
INDEX 301
Light Bulbs............................. 67
Lights ............................... 67,88
Airbag ........................ 49,56,65,112
Anti-Lock ......................... 1 10,161
Anti-Lock Warning ..................... 110
Battery Saver ........................ 90,93
Brake Warning ........................ 112
Bulb Replacement ...................... 250
Courtesy/Reading ...................... 92
Daytime Running ....................... 89
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................ 91
Electronic Throttle Control Warning ......... 113
Engine Temperature Warning .............. 116
Exterior .............................. 67
Fog .............................. 90,110
Hazard Warning Flasher .............. 111,190
Headlight Switch ....................... 88
Headlights ......................... 88,252
Headlights On Reminder ................. 90 High Beam
........................ 91,109
High Beam Indicator .................... 109
Illuminated Entry ....................... 17
Instrument Cluster ...................... 88
Intensity Control ....................... 93
Interior ............................ 91,93
Lights On Reminder ..................... 90
LowTire ............................ 113
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 110
Map Reading .......................... 92
Oil Pressure .......................... 117
Park ................................ 88
Passing .............................. 91
Reading ............................. 92
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 115
Service ........................... 250,251
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 110
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........ 113,179
Turn Signal ...................... 67,91,111
10
INDEX 303
Occupant Restraints..................... 32,53
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 181
Odometer ............................. 108
Trip ................................ 108
Oil, Engine ....................... 214,260,261
Capacity ............................ 260
Change Interval ....................... 214
Checking ............................ 214
Dipstick ............................. 214
Disposal ............................ 216
Filter ............................ 216,261
Filter Disposal ........................ 216
Materials Added to ..................... 216
Pressure Gauge ....................... 117
Recommendation ................... 215,260
Viscosity ............................ 260
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 216
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............210,211
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4Outside Rearview Mirrors
.................. 83
Overheating, Engine ...................... 190
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,291
Paint Care ............................. 237
Paint Damage .......................... 237
Panic Alarm ............................ 21
Parking Brake .......................... 155
Parking On Hill ......................... 155
Passing Light ........................... 91
Pedals, Adjustable ........................ 97
Pets .................................. 62
Pets, Transporting ........................ 62
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 167
Polishing and Waxing ..................... 238
Power Accessory Delay ...................... 13,28
Brakes .............................. 157
Distribution Center (Fuses) ............... 244
10
INDEX 305
Shoulder Belts........................... 34
Signals, Turn ....................... 67,91,111
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On ............... 151
Snow Tires ............................ 178
Speedometer ........................... 108
Starting ............................... 144
Emergency (Jump Starting) ............... 202
Engine Fails to Start .................... 146
Starting and Operating .................... 144
Starting Procedures ...................... 144
Steering Power .............................. 154
Tilt Column ........................... 96
Storage ............................... 247
Storage, Vehicle ......................... 138
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 205
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 42
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 215 Tachometer
............................ 116
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 116
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 13
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 13
Tilt Steering Column ...................... 96
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 167
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 165
Tire Markings .......................... 161
Tire Safety Information .................... 161
TIREFIT .............................. 191
Tires ............................ 67,171,293
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 176
Air Pressure .......................... 171
General Information .................... 171
High Speed .......................... 174
Inflation Pressures ..................... 172
Life of Tires .......................... 176
Load Capacity ..................... 167,168
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 179
308 INDEX