
STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re-
move the key fob from the ignition. When leaving
the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A
child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the shift
lever in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:
•The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
•If the key will not turn and the steering wheel is
locked, rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve
pressure on the locking mechanism and then turn the
key.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 293

CAUTION!
•It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) and are identified on the
battery case. Cable clamps should be tight on the
terminal posts and free of corrosion.
•If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is in
the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to the battery. Do
not use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air conditioning
system as the chemicals can damage your air condi-
tioning components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
414 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
CAUTION!
Use of improper brake fluids will affect overall
clutch system performance. Improper brake fluids
may damage the clutch system resulting in loss of
clutch function and the ability to shift the transmis-
sion.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) – If Equipped
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only the manufacturer’s recommended trans-
mission fluid which has been formulated with special
metal to metal friction coefficient additives to provide the
proper steel belt traction on the drive and driven pulleys.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid will cause belt slip and
result in a complete transmission failure! Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 429

Instrument Panel Bezels
CAUTION!
When installing hanging air fresheners in your ve-
hicle, read the installation instructions carefully.
Some air fresheners will damage the finish of
painted or decorated parts if allowed to directly
contact any surface.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1.
Clean with a wet, soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean, damp rag.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the seat belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
If the seat belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the seat belts from the
car to wash them. Dry with a soft cloth.
Replace the seat belts if they appear frayed or worn or if
the buckles do not work properly.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 437

Automatic Transmission................299,429
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 430
Fluid Level Check .................... 430
Fluid Type ......................... 429
Gear Ranges ........................ 301
Special Additives ..................... 430
Autostick ............................. 306
B-Pillar Location ........................ 332
Battery ............................... 413
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 25
Belts, Seat .............................. 86
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 417
Brake Assist System ...................... 317
Brake Fluid ............................ 447
Brake System ........................ 313,426
Anti-Lock (ABS) .................. 314,316
Master Cylinder ..................... 427
Parking ........................... 310 Warning Light
....................... 199
Brake, Parking .......................... 310
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 300
Brakes ............................. 313,426
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 84
Bulb Replacement ..................... 442,443
Bulbs, Light .......................... 88,442
Calibration, Compass ..................... 220
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 445
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 445
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 361
Oil (Engine) ................... 403,404,411
Power Steering ...................... 309
Car Washes ............................ 433
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............85,360
Cargo Area Cover ....................... 183
Cargo Area Features ...................... 182
10
INDEX 477

Cargo CompartmentLight ............................. 182
Cargo Light ............................ 182
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 185
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 185
Cellular Phone ........................ 98,275
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 444
Chains, Tire ............................ 346
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 382
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 328
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 406
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 85
Checks, Safety ........................... 85
Child Restraint ........................ 75,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 80
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 78
Child Safety Locks ........................ 34
Child Seat .............................. 82 Clean Air Gasoline
....................... 357
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 434
Climate Control ......................... 275
Clock ........................... 224,243,252
Clutch ............................... 427
Clutch Fluid ........................... 427
Coin Holder ........................... 181
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 274
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 340
Compass .............................. 209
Compass Calibration ..................... 220
Compass Variance ....................... 221
Connector UCI .............................. 266
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 266
Console .............................. 181
Contract, Service ........................ 469
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 445,446
478 INDEX

HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter... 160
Hood Release .......................... 146
Ignition ............................... 12
Key ............................... 12
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 12
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 15
Infant Restraint .......................... 76
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 211
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 94
Instrument Cluster ....................... 196
Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 194
Instrument Panel Cover ................... 436
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 437
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 438
Interior Appearance Care .................. 435
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 154
Introduction ............................. 4 Jack Location
........................... 383
Jack Operation ....................... 382,384
Jacking Instructions ...................... 384
Jump Starting .......................... 392
Key-In Reminder ......................... 14
Key, Programming ........................ 16
Key, Replacement ........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Keyless Entry System (Sedan) ................ 20
Keys ................................. 12
Knee Bolster ............................ 61
Lane Change and Turn Signals .............. 444
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 43
Latches ................................ 88
Hood ............................. 146
Lead Free Gasoline ...................... 357
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 88
10
INDEX 483

Life of Tires............................ 343
Liftgate (Sedan) .......................... 38
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer ............. 187
Light Bulbs .......................... 88,442
Lights .............................. 88,148
Airbag .................... 68,69,74,86,197
Alarm ............................ 201
Anti-Lock .......................... 198
Back-Up ........................... 444
Brake Assist Warning .................. 325
Brake Warning ...................... 199
Bulb Replacement .................... 443
Cargo ............................. 182
Center Mounted Stop .................. 444
Daytime Running .................... 149
Dimmer Switch, Headlight .............. 148
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 325
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 199
Exterior ............................ 88 Fog .........................
149,208,443
Headlight Switch ..................... 148
Headlights ......................... 148
High Beam Indicator .................. 198
Instrument Cluster ................... 148
License ............................ 444
Lights On Reminder .................. 149
Low Fuel .......................... 197
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 207
Map Reading ....................... 152
Oil Pressure ........................ 197
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 198
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ..........18,201
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 201
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ......... 203
Traction Control ..................... 325
Turn Signal ................. 88,148,150,444
Voltage ............................ 196
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 196
484 INDEX