Page 257 of 372
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
GROUND CLEARANCE
The front and rear fascias and side sills ride low and
ground clearance is limited.
CAUTION!
Damage to the front and rear fascias and side sills can
occur if you disregard the low ground clearance in
these areas of your vehicle. Pay close attention when
parking to avoid running into parking curbs. Exer-
cise caution when entering or exiting steep drive-
ways, or when pulling off the road onto soft shoul-
ders.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 255
Page 259 of 372
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER ...........258
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............258
TIREFIT KIT ......................... .259
▫ TIREFIT Storage ..................... .260
▫ TIREFIT Kit Components And Operation .....260
▫ TIREFIT Usage Precautions ...............262 ▫
Sealing A Tire With TIREFIT ..............264
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES ...........269
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............273
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........274
6
Page 276 of 372

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission or clutch overheating and
failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck. And do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Only use flatbed
equipment. Always comply with applicable state or local
towing ordinances.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
274 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 280 of 372

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
To meet new government regulations and promote
cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This system
monitors the performance of the emissions and engine
control systems. When these systems are operating prop-
erly, your vehicle will provide excellent performance and
fuel economy, as well as engine emissions well within
current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light. It will also
store diagnostic codes and other information to assist
your service technician in making repairs. Although 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 light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
If the light is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage
and power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
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
278 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 294 of 372

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
• When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at any time the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had
time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
292 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 356 of 372

About Your Brakes....................... .218
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ................219
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............294
Adding Fuel ............................ .252
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... .289
Additives, Fuel .......................... .250
Adjustable Pedals ........................ .125
Airbag ..................................39
Airbag Deployment ........................44
Airbag Light .............................45
Airbag Maintenance ........................51
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .283
Air Conditioner Maintenance .................287
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............198
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .................287
Air Conditioning System ....................287
Air Pressure, Tires ........................ .238
Alarm Light ............................ .156
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ................14Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle
...............7
Antenna ............................... .190
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................293
Capacities ........................... .321
Disposal ............................ .296
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................219
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................163
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ..........14
Appearance Care ........................ .302
Assistance Towing .........................85
Auto Down Power Windows ..................25
Automatic Door Locks ......................23
Automatic Headlights ......................116
Auto Unlock, Doors ........................23
Auto Up Power Windows ....................25
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ........141
Auxiliary Power Outlet .....................141
354 INDEX
Page 359 of 372

Door Opener, Garage...................... .133
Doors ..................................21
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ....................... .212
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet) ........141
Electric Remote Mirrors ......................70
Electronic Brake Control System ...............222
Traction Control System ..................223
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ........127
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............223
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......131
Emergency Brake ........................ .216
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ...............273
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................258
Jump Starting ........................ .269
Overheating ......................... .258Towing
............................. .274
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........278
Engine ................................ .277
Air Cleaner .......................... .283
Break-In Recommendations ................59
Checking Oil Level .....................281
Compartment ........................ .277
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................292
Cooling ............................. .292
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................28
Fails to Start ......................... .204
Flooded, Starting ...................... .204
Fuel Requirements ..................... .248
Oil ................................ .281
Oil Change Interval .....................282
Oil Filler Cap ........................ .282
Oil Selection ......................... .282
Overheating ......................... .258
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .282
10
INDEX 357
Page 366 of 372

Rear Camera........................... .131
Rear Liftgate .............................26
Rear Window Defroster .....................148
Rear Window Features .....................148
Reclining Front Seats ...................... .109
Recreational Towing ...................... .254
Reformulated Gasoline .....................248
Refrigerant ............................. .288
Reminder, Lights On .......................117
Reminder, Seat Belt .........................36
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ..................17
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls .........190
Replacement Parts ........................ .280
Replacement Tires ........................ .242
Reporting Safety Defects ....................349
Restraints, Child ...........................52
Restraints, Infant ..........................53
Restraints, Occupant ........................29
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck .................273Rotation, Tires
.......................... .244
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ..................62
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle .................63
Safety Defects, Reporting ....................349
Safety, Exhaust Gas .........................28
Safety Information, Tire .....................227
Safety Tips ...............................60
Schedule, Maintenance .....................326
Seat Belt Maintenance ..................... .306
Seat Belt Reminder .........................36
Seat Belts ................................29
And Pregnant Women ....................38
Child Restraint .........................52
Extender ..............................38
Inspection .............................62
Operating Instructions ....................31
Pretensioners ..........................38
Untwisting Procedure ....................35
364 INDEX