
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed. (Refer to the paragraph on
“Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard for the size designation of your tire.
The service description and load identification will be
found on the original equipment tire. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend
that you contact your original equipment or an autho-
rized tire dealer with any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.
WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
a collision resulting in serious injury or death. Use
only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.(Continued)
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
After fuel is added, the vehicle diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel filler cap is possibly loose or
improperly installed. A “gASCAP” message will be dis-
played in the instrument cluster. Tighten the gas cap until
aclicking sound is heard. This is an indication that the
gas cap is properly tightened. Press the trip odometer
RESET button to turn off the message. If the problem
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 401

persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the MIL. Resolving the problem will turn the MIL
light off.
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.
402 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 condition, 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 vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change
and even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•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
S442 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Cargo CompartmentLight ............................. 178
Luggage Carrier ..................... 185
Cargo Light ............................ 178
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 181
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 182
Cellular Phone ........................ 98,273
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 437
Chains, Tire ............................ 347
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 382
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 330
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 402
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 84
Checks, Safety ........................... 84
Child Restraint .......................... 74
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 79
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 77
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32 Child Seat
.............................. 81
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 358
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 428
Climate Control ......................... 273
Clock ........................... 222,241,250
Clutch ............................... 421
Clutch Fluid ........................... 421
Coin Holder ........................... 177
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 273
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 342
Compass .............................. 208
Compass Calibration ..................... 218
Compass Variance ....................... 218
Connector UCI .............................. 264
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 264
Console .............................. 177
Contract, Service ........................ 461
470 INDEX

Traction Control..................... 327
Turn Signal ................. 87,148,150,437
Voltage ............................ 194
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 194
Loading Vehicle ...................... 364,366
Capacities .......................... 366
Tires .............................. 334
Locks Child Protection ...................... 32
Door .............................. 27
Power Door ......................... 28
Lubrication, Body ....................... 411
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack) ................. 185
Lumbar Support ........................ 138
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 409
Maintenance Procedures ................... 404
Maintenance Schedule .................... 442
Maintenance, General ..................... 404 Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 205,402
Manual Transaxle
.................. 291,294,424
Downshifting ....................... 295
Fluid Level Check ................. 424,425
Frequency of Fluid Change ........424,425,426
Lubricant Selection ................. 424,425
Manual, Service ......................... 463
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 152
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 421
Methanol ............................. 359
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 208
Mirrors ................................ 93
Automatic Dimming ................... 94
Electric Powered ...................... 95
Exterior Folding ...................... 97
Heated ............................. 97
Outside ............................ 96
Rearview ........................... 93
Vanity ............................. 98
10
INDEX 477

Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)......... 349
Pressure Warning Light ................ 202
Quality Grading ..................... 465
Radial ............................ 341
Replacement ........................ 346
Rotation ........................... 348
Safety .......................... 328,338
Sizes ............................. 330
Snow Tires ......................... 347
Spare Tire .......................... 383
Spinning ........................... 344
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 345
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 371
Towing ............................... 366
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 112
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 395
Guide ............................. 370
Recreational ........................ 378
Weight ............................ 370 Towing Assistance
....................... 112
Trailer Towing .......................... 366
Cooling System Tips .................. 377
Hitches ............................ 369
Minimum Requirements ................ 372
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 371
Wiring ............................ 375
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 370
Trailer Weight .......................... 370
Transaxle ............................. 296
Automatic .................. 12,291,296,423
Autostick .......................... 300
Manual ......................... 291,294
Operation .......................... 296
Overdrive .......................... 300
Selection of Lubricant ................. 423
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 23
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 160
10
INDEX 483