
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 or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation 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.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 109 

If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
8. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light —
If EquippedEach 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.
258 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “H” and you hear continuous chimes,
turn the engine off immediately and call an autho-
rized dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
21. Low Fuel Light When the fuel level reaches approximately 2.0 gal
(7.8 L) this light will turn on, and remain on until
fuel is added.
22. Charging System Light This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on when the
ignition switch is first turned to ON/RUN and remain on
briefly as a bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 265 

▫Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 400
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 400
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 401
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 402
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 402
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 403
 Tire Chains .......................... 404
 Snow Tires .......................... 406
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 406
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 407
▫ Base System ........................ 410
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 412
Fuel Requirements ..................... 417
▫ 3.6L Engine ........................ 417
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 417
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 418
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 418
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 419
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 419
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 420
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 421
 Flexible Fuel — If Equipped .............. 421
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 421
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 423
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 423
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 355 

WARNING! (Continued)
•Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve-
hicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to
the right or left.
•Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation, also increases
tire rolling resistance resulting in higher fuel
consumption.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver’s side “B” Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side
door.
The tire pressure should be checked and adjusted, and
the tires inspected for signs of wear or visible damage, at
least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge
to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated, even when they are under-inflated.
CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al-
ways reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent
moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem,
which could damage the valve stem.
396 STARTING AND OPERATING 

CAUTION!
•The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures have
been established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor
damage may result when using replacement
equipment that is not of the same size, type, and/or
style. Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor dam-
age. Do not use aftermarket sealants or balance
beads if your vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as
damage to the sensors may result.
•After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure
always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will
prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve
stem, which could damage the TPMS sensor.NOTE:
•The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire
failure or condition.
•The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire 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.
•The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, using an accurate tire pressure
gage, even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the “Tire Pressure Monitor-
ing Telltale Light.”
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 409 

The tire pressure sensors are regulated under one of the
following licenses:
United States................... MRXC4W4MA4
Canada ..................... 2546A-C4W4MA4
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
3.6L Engine
This engine is designed to meet all emis-
sions regulations and provide excellent
fuel economy and performance when us-
ing high-quality unleaded “regular” gaso-
line having an octane rating of 87. The use
of premium gasoline is not recommended,
as it will not provide any benefit over regular gasoline in
these engines.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to
your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at
high speeds can cause damage and immediate service is required. Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such
as hard starting, stalling, and hesitations. If you experi-
ence these symptoms, try another brand of gasoline
before considering service for the vehicle.
Over 40 auto manufacturers worldwide have issued and
endorsed consistent gasoline specifications (the World-
wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) which define fuel properties
necessary to deliver enhanced emissions, performance,
and durability for your vehicle. The manufacturer recom-
mends the use of gasolines that meet the WWFC speci-
fications if they are available.
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner
burning gasoline referred to as “Reformulated Gasoline.”
Reformulated gasoline contains oxygenates and are spe-
cifically blended to reduce vehicle emissions and im-
prove air quality.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 417 

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 493
Adding Fuel ........................... 425
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 490
Additives, Fuel ......................... 419
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 182
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 483
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 487
Air Conditioning ........................ 328
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 328
Air Conditioning Filter .................351,488
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............... 487
Air Conditioning System .............328,340,487
Air Conditioning System, Zone Control ........ 333
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 351
Air Conditioning, Rear Zone .............337,347
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 396
Airbag .............................. 76,85
Airbag Deployment ....................... 86
Airbag Light .................. 83,84,89,107,262Airbag Maintenance
....................... 88
Airbag, Side ........................ 80,82,85
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........80,82,85
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 16
Alarm Light ........................... 262
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 314
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 257
Anti-Theft System ........................ 16
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............492,519
Disposal ........................... 495
Appearance Care ........................ 501
Ashtray ............................... 221
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 44
Auto Up Power Windows .................. 44
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................ 118
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 36
Automatic Headlights .................... 171
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 340
550 INDEX