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U.S. Federal regulations require that upon transfer of vehicle
ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the correct
mileage that the vehicle has been driven. If your odometer
needs to be repaired or serviced, the repair technician should
leave the odometer reading the same as it was before the
repair or service. If s/he cannot do so, then the odometer
must be set at zero, and a sticker must be placed in the door
jamb stating what the mileage was before the repair or
service. It is a good idea for you to make a record of the
odometer reading before the repair/service, so that you can
be sure that it is properly reset, or that the door jamb sticker
is accurate if the odometer must be reset at zero.
The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and release
the Trip Odometer button. To reset a trip odometer, display
the desired trip odometer to be reset then push and hold
the button until the display resets (approximately 2 sec-
onds). Refer to “Trip Odometer Button” for additional
information.
Vehicle Odometer Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, the odometer will
display the following messages:
door............................. Door Ajar
dECK ...........................Trunk Ajar
LoW tirE ....................LowTirePr essure
CHANgE OIL ..............Oil Change Required
gASCAP ...................... Fuel Cap Fault
HOTOIL ......... Engine Oil Temperature Exceeds
Safe Threshold
NOTE:
If the instrument cluster is equipped with the
optional Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC),
then warnings such as ”Low Tire,” “Door Ajar” and “Trunk
Ajar” will display in the EVIC. (Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” for specific messages).
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LoW tirE
When the appropriate condition exists, the odometer dis-
play will toggle between LoW and tirE for three cycles.
HOTOIL
When this message is displayed there is a engine oil
over-temperature condition. When this condition occurs,
the “HOTOIL” message will be displayed in the odometer
along with a chime.
Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To Do In
Emergencies”.
gASCAP
If the vehicle diagnostic system detects a leak or change
in the evaporative system, or the fuel filler cap is loose,
improperly installed, or damaged, the words “gASCAP”
will display in the odometer display area. If this occurs,tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the odom-
eter reset button to turn off the “gASCAP” message.
(Refer to “Onboard Diagnostic System — OBDII” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information). If
the problem continues, the message will appear the next
time the vehicle is started. See your authorized dealer
service center as soon as possible.
CHANgE OIL
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “CHANgE OIL” message will flash
in the instrument cluster odometer for approximately
12 seconds after a single chime has sounded to indicate
the next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle based, which
means the engine oil change interval may fluctuate
dependent upon your personal driving style.
216 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.26. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of an
onboard diagnostic system called OBD that moni-
tors emissions, engine, and automatic transmission
control systems. The light will illuminate when the key is in
the ON/RUN position before engine start. If the bulb does
not come on when turning the key from LOCK to ON/
RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
222 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .373
▫ E-85 General Information ...............373
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................375
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................375
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .......376
▫ Starting ........................... .376
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .376
▫ Replacement Parts ....................377
▫ Maintenance ....................... .377
ADDING FUEL ....................... .377
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............377
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message ...............379
VEHICLE LOADING ....................380
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............380
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......380
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........380
▫ Overloading ........................ .381
▫ Loading ........................... .381
TRAILER TOWING .....................381
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............382
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............384
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .385
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............386
▫ Towing Requirements ..................387
294 STARTING AND OPERATING
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subjects that are unique to these vehicles. Please refer to
the other sections of this manual for information on
features that are common between Flexible Fuel and
gasoline-only powered vehicles.CAUTION!
Only vehicles with the E-85 fuel filler door label can
operate on E-85.
E-85 Fuel Cap
E-85 Badge
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Ethanol Fuel (E-85)
E-85 is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel ethanol and
15% unleaded gasoline.
WARNING!
Ethanol vapors are extremely flammable and could
cause serious personal injury. Never have any smok-
ing materials lit in or near the vehicle when remov-
ing the fuel filler tube cap (gas cap) or filling the
tank. Do not use E-85 as a cleaning agent and never
use it near an open flame.
Fuel Requirements
If your vehicle is E-85 compatible, it will operate on
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87, or E-85
fuel, or any mixture of these two fuels.For best results, a refueling pattern that avoids alternat-
ing between E-85 and unleaded gasoline is recom-
mended.
When you do switch fuel types it is recommended that:
•
you do not add less than 5 gallons (19 Liters) when
refueling
• you drive the vehicle immediately after refueling for at
least 5 miles (8 km)
Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in driveability
during warm up.
NOTE:
• Use seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel (ASTM D5798). With
non-seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel, you may experience
hard starting and rough idle following start up even if
the above recommendations are followed, especially
when the ambient temperature is below 32°F (0°C).
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Replacement Parts
Many components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) are
designed to be compatible with ethanol. Always be sure
that your vehicle is serviced with correct ethanol com-
patible parts.
CAUTION!
Replacing fuel system components with non-ethanol
compatible components can damage your vehicle.
Maintenance
CAUTION!
Do not use ethanol mixture greater than 85% in your
vehicle. It will cause difficulty in cold starting and
may affect driveability.
ADDING FUEL
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
The gas cap is behind the fuel filler door, on the left rear
quarter panel of the vehicle. If the gas cap is lost or
damaged, be sure the replacement cap is for use with this
vehicle.
Fuel Filler Door
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After removing the gas cap, place the gas cap tether cable
over a hook on the inside of the fuel door. This keeps the
gas cap suspended away from and protects the vehicle’s
surface.NOTE:
If the gas cap is lost or damaged, be sure the
replacement cap is for use with this vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap).
• A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the “Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light (MIL)” to turn on.
• To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling. When the fuel
nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.
Tether Cable
378 STARTING AND OPERATING