Driving Hints 277
Economical driving....................................277
Floormats..........................................279
Roadside Emergencies 281
Getting roadside assistance..............................281
Hazard warning flashers................................282
Fuel cut-off switch....................................283
Jump-starting the vehicle...............................283
Customer Assistance 286
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only)........................293
Reporting safety defects (Canada only).....................293
Fuses 294
Changing a fuse......................................294
Fuse specification chart.................................295
Maintenance 303
General information...................................303
Opening and closing the hood............................304
Under hood overview..................................305
Engine oil dipstick....................................307
Engine oil check......................................307
Engine coolant check..................................308
Automatic transmission fluid check........................313
Brake fluid check.....................................317
Power steering fluid check..............................317
Fuel filter...........................................317
Washer fluid check....................................318
Battery.............................................318
Checking the wiper blades...............................320
Changing the wiper blades...............................320
Air filter(s)..........................................321
6Table of Contents
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SYMBOL GLOSSARY
WARNING:You risk death or serious injury to yourself and
others if you do not follow the instruction highlighted by the
warning symbol.
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description
Safety alertSee Owner’s
ManualAnti-lock
braking
system
Avoid
smoking,
flames, or
sparksBatteryBattery acid
Brake fluid –
non
petroleum
baseBrake systemCabin air
filter
Check fuel
capChild Safety
Door Lock
and UnlockChild seat
lower anchor
Child seat
tether anchorCruise
controlDo not open
when hot
Engine air
filterEngine
coolantEngine
coolant
temperature
Engine
oilExplosive
gasFan warning
Fasten safety
beltFront airbagFront fog
lamps
10Introduction
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Intelligent Access (If Equipped)
The system uses a radio frequency signal to communicate with your
vehicle and authorize your vehicle to unlock when commanded (either by
touching the inside of the driver door or front passenger exterior door
handle, by activating the exterior power liftgate button, or a button on
the transmitter itself). If excessive radio frequency interface is present in
the area, or if the transmitter battery is low, it may be necessary to
mechanically unlock your door. The mechanical key blade in your
intelligent access key can be used to open the driver’s door in this
situation. Refer toRemote Controlin this chapter for more information
on the location and use of the mechanical key blade.
REMOTE CONTROL
Integrated Keyhead Transmitters (IKTs) (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
two integrated keyhead transmitters.
The key blade is used to start the
vehicle and unlock or lock the
driver’s door from outside the vehicle.
The transmitter portion functions as
the remote control.
Note:Your vehicle’s keys were
issued with a security label that
provides important vehicle key cut
information. Keep the label in a safe
place for future reference.
Intelligent Access Key (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with
two intelligent access keys which
operate the power locks and the
remote start system. The key must
be in the vehicle to activate the
push button start system.
CAUTIONTO BE REMOVED
BY CUSTOMER ONLY
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The intelligent access key also
contains a removable mechanical key
blade that can be used to unlock the
driver door. Slide the release on the
back of the transmitter to release the
key blade, then pull the blade out.
Note:Your vehicle’s back-up keys
were issued with a security tag that
provides important vehicle key cut
information. Keep the tag in a safe
place for future reference.
Replacing the Battery
Note:Refer to local regulations when disposing of transmitter batteries.
Note:Do not wipe off any grease on the battery terminals or on the back
surface of the circuit board.
Note:Replacing the battery will not delete the transmitter from the
vehicle. The transmitter should operate normally.
The remote control uses one coin-type three-volt lithium battery CR2032
or equivalent.
Integrated Keyhead Transmitter
1. Twist a thin coin in the slot near the key
ring to remove the battery cover (1).
2. Carefully peel up the rubber gasket (2) from the transmitter if it does
not come off with battery cover.
3. Remove the old battery (3).
3
2
1
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4. Insert the new battery. Refer to the instructions inside the integrated
keyhead transmitter for the correct orientation of the battery. Press the
battery down to ensure that the battery is fully seated in the battery
housing cavity.
5. Snap the battery cover back onto the key.
Intelligent Access Transmitter
1. Remove the backup key from the transmitter.
2. Twist a thin coin in the slot
hidden behind the backup key slot to
remove the battery cover.
3. Remove the old battery.
4. Insert the new battery. Refer to the instruction inside the transmitter
for the correct orientation of the battery. Press the battery down to make
sure it is fully in the housing.
5. Snap the battery cover back onto the transmitter and install the
backup key.
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Car Finder
Press the button twice within three seconds. The horn will chirp
and the turn signals will flash. It is recommended that this method
be used to locate your vehicle, rather than using the panic alarm.
Sounding a Panic Alarm
Note:The panic alarm will only operate when the ignition is off.
Press the button to activate the alarm. Press the button again
or turn the ignition on to deactivate.
Remote Start (If Equipped)
WARNING:To avoid exhaust fumes, do not use remote start if your
vehicle is parked indoors or areas that are not well ventilated.
Note:Do not use remote start if your vehicle is low on fuel.
Your vehicle has remote start if the transmitter has this button.
The remote start feature allows you to start the engine from outside the
vehicle. The transmitter has an extended operating range.
Vehicles with automatic climate control can be configured to operate
when the vehicle is remote started. Refer to theClimate Controlchapter
for more information. A manual climate control system will run at the
setting it was set to when the vehicle was last turned off.
Many states and provinces have restrictions for the use of remote start.
Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements
regarding remote start systems.
The remote start system will not work if:
•the ignition is on
•the alarm system is triggered
•the feature has been disabled
•the hood is not closed
•two remote vehicle starts have already been attempted within the last
hour
•the vehicle is not in P (Park)
•the vehicle battery voltage is too low
•the service engine soon light is on.
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Deactivating or Activating
Note:The autolock and autounlock features can be activated or
deactivated independently of each other.
These features can be activated or deactivated:
•through your authorized dealer
•by using the information display (if equipped with this feature).
Illuminated Entry
The interior lamps, parking lamps and puddle lamps (if equipped)
illuminate when the integrated keyhead transmitter, intelligent access key
or the keyless entry keypad is used to unlock the vehicle.
The system will turn off the lights if:
•the ignition is turned on
•the lock button on the remote control is pressed
•the vehicle is locked using the keyless entry keypad
•after 25 seconds of illumination.
The lights will not turn off if:
•they have been turned on with the dimmer control
•any door is open.
Illuminated Exit
The interior lamps and select exterior lamps will illuminate when all
doors are closed, the ignition is turned off and the key is removed from
the ignition (integrated keyhead transmitter only).
The lamps will turn off if all the doors remain closed and:
•25 seconds elapse
•
the key is inserted in the ignition (integrated keyhead transmitter only)
•the START/STOP button is pressed (intelligent access key only).
Battery Saver
If the courtesy lamps, dome lamps or headlamps are left on, the battery
saver will shut them off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Accessory Mode Battery Saver for Intelligent Access Keys
(If Equipped)
If you shut off the engine and leave the ignition in the on or accessory
mode, the ignition will shut off after 30 minutes.
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Power Liftgate (If Equipped)
WARNING:Make sure all persons are clear of the power liftgate
area before using the power liftgate control.
WARNING:Keep keys out of the reach of children. Do not allow
children to operate the power liftgate, or to play near to an open
or moving power liftgate.
Note:Cycling the ignition while the liftgate is power closing and is near
the latch may cause the liftgate to reverse to full open position. Make
sure that the liftgate is closed before operating or moving the vehicle,
especially in an enclosure, like a garage or a parking structure. The
liftgate or its components could be damaged.
Note:Do not drive with the liftgate open without first disabling the
power function and securing the liftgate to the vehicle.
Note:In case of operation in extreme cold -40°F (-40°C), or on extreme
inclines, manual operation of the liftgate is suggested.
The power liftgate can be enabled or disabled using the information
display. The remote control and instrument panel button will still operate
the liftgate regardless of the setting.
Opening and Closing the Power Liftgate
Note:The liftgate movement direction can be reversed with a second
press of the instrument panel, or the control button on the liftgate, or a
second double press of the transmitter button.
The liftgate will only operate with the vehicle in P (Park).
A chime will sound three times as the liftgate begins to power close. A
single chime indicates a problem with the close request, caused by:
•the ignition is on and the transmission is not in P (Park);
•or the battery voltage is below the minimum operating voltage;
•or the vehicle speed is at or above 3 mph (5 km/h).
If the liftgate reverses and starts to close after an open request, a fast
continuous chime indicates excessive load on the gate or a possible strut
failure. See your authorized dealer if you still have a fast chime after the
load is removed.
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