Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 in (2 mm). When the tread is worn to the
tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced.
Life Of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
•Driving style
•Tire pressure
•Distance driven
WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years,
regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow
this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You
could lose control and have a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
1—WornTire
2—NewTire
378 STARTING AND OPERATING
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center
where it can be raised on a lift.
•Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is
on a jack.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The jack is designed to be used as a tool for
changing tires only. The jack should not be used to
lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only.
Avoid ice or slippery areas.
CAUTION!
Damage to the AWD (All-Wheel Drive) system is
possible if the following procedure is not followed
when the compact spare is used:
•After installing the compact spare, drive the vehicle
at a low speed 8-12 mph (13-19 km/h) until the AWD
system disengages, approximately 10 seconds (the
AWD! Indicator light in the cluster will illuminate).
•This procedure will need to be followed every
time the vehicle is restarted with the compact
spare in use.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 425
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light” (MIL). It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and drivability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, the
word “gASCAP” will display in the odometer. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking” sound
is heard and press the TRIP ODOMETER button to turn
off the message. If the problem persists, the message will
appear the next time the vehicle is started.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 453
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test. Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
4. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
454 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The Scheduled Maintenance services listed in this
manual must be done at the times or mileages specified
to protect your vehicle warranty and ensure the best
vehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions, such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving. Inspection and service should also be done
anytime a malfunction is suspected.
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
On Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
equipped vehicles “Oil Change Required” will be dis-
played in the EVIC and a single chime will sound,
indicating that an oil change is necessary.
On Non-EVIC equipped vehicles “Change Oil” will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer and a single chime
will sound, indicating that an oil change is necessary.Based on engine operation conditions the oil change
indicator message will illuminate, this means that service
is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced
as soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been 6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
8
M
A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S508 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
Headlights On Reminder............... 194
Headlights On With Wipers ..........193,202
High Beam ...................... 196,497
High Beam Indicator .................. 261
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............ 196
Illuminated Entry ..................... 20
Instrument Cluster ................. 192,259
Intensity Control ..................... 196
Interior ............................ 196
License ............................ 501
Lights On Reminder .................. 194
Low Fuel .......................... 272
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 259
Map Reading ....................... 198
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness) ........ 197
Park .............................. 497
Passing ............................ 196
Reading ........................... 198
Rear Servicing .................... 497,499Rear Tail
........................... 499
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 264
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............ 266
Service ......................... 495,497
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator) ................ 259
Side Marker ........................ 497
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 266
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......262,383
Traction Control ..................... 360
Turn Signal ................. 93,195,497,499
Vanity Mirror ....................... 104
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 259
Load Floor, Cargo ....................... 246
Loading Vehicle ...................... 403,405
Capacities .......................... 405
Tires .............................. 367
Locks ................................. 29
Auto Unlock ......................... 31
10
INDEX 543
Automatic Door...................... 31
Child Protection ...................... 31
Door .............................. 29
Power Door ......................... 30
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 383
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) ............................ 81,83
Lubrication, Body ....................... 466
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack) ................. 253
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 461
Maintenance Procedures ................... 456
Maintenance Schedule .................... 508
Maintenance, General ..................... 456
Maintenance, Sunroof ..................... 230
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 259,454
Manual Transaxle Fluid Level Check .................... 483
Frequency of Fluid Change ............. 483Lubricant Selection
................... 483
Manual, Service ......................... 527
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 198
Marker Lights, Side ...................... 497
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 478
Methanol ............................. 394
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 278
Mirrors ............................ 101,219
Automatic Dimming .................. 102
Electric Powered ..................... 103
Electric Remote ...................... 103
Exterior Folding ..................... 104
Heated ............................ 104
Outside ........................... 102
Rearview .......................... 101
Vanity ............................ 104
Mode Fuel Saver ......................... 276
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
544 INDEX
Service Assistance....................... 523
Service Contract ......................... 525
Service Engine Soon Light
(Malfunction Indicator) .................... 259
Service Manuals ........................ 527
Shift Lever Override ...................... 443
Shifting Automatic Transaxle .................. 338
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 51
Shoulder Belts ........................... 46
Side Airbag ............................. 70
Side View Mirror Adjustment ............... 102
Signals, Turn ................... 93,195,261,499
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On ............... 345
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 380
Snow Tires ............................ 382
Spare Tire ....................... 375,376,426
Spark Plugs ............................ 504 Specifications
Fuel (Gasoline) ...................... 504
Oil ............................ 458,504
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 203
Speedometer ........................... 266
Starting ............................. 25,334
Automatic Transmission ................ 334
Cold Weather ....................... 336
Engine Fails to Start .................. 337
Remote ............................ 25
Starting and Operating .................... 334
Starting Procedures ...................... 334
Steering Column Controls ..................... 195
Column Lock ....................... 202
Power .......................... 348,349
Tilt Column ........................ 202
Wheel, Tilt ......................... 202
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .............. 308
10
INDEX 549