Maintenance 172
General information...................................172
Opening and closing the hood............................173
Under hood overview..................................175
Engine oil dipstick....................................176
Engine oil check......................................176
Engine coolant check..................................177
Automatic transmission fluid check........................181
Power steering fluid check..............................184
Fuel filter...........................................184
Washer fluid check....................................185
Changing the vehicle battery.............................185
Checking the wiper blades..............................187
Changing the wiper blades..............................187
Air filter(s).........................................188
Adjusting the headlamps................................189
Changing a bulb......................................190
Removing a headlamp..................................191
Bulb replacement.....................................195
Bulb specification chart.................................200
Vehicle Care 201
Cleaning products.....................................201
Cleaning the exterior..................................201
Waxing.............................................203
Repairing minor paint damage............................203
Cleaning the engine...................................203
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................204
Cleaning the interior...................................204
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......205
Cleaning leather seats..................................206
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................206
Vehiclestorage.......................................207
Table of Contents5
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IGNITION SWITCH (IF EQUIPPED)
0 (Off):The ignition is off.
Note:When you switch the ignition off and leave your vehicle, do not
leave your key in the ignition. This could cause your vehicle battery to
lose charge.
I (Accessory):Allows the electrical accessories, such as the radio, to
operate while the engine is not running.
Note:Do not leave the ignition key in this position for too long.
This could cause your vehicle battery to lose charge.
II (On):All electrical circuits are operational and the warning lamps and
indicators illuminate.
III (Start):Cranks the engine.
STARTING A GASOLINE ENGINE
When you start your engine, the idle speed increases to warm the engine
up. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have your
vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.
Before starting your vehicle, check the following:
•Make sure all occupants have fastened their safety belts.
•Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is on.
•Move the transmission selector lever to positionP.
•Switch the ignition on.
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Move the transmission selector lever to positionPorN.
3. Start the engine. The engine may continue cranking for up to
15 seconds or until it starts.
Note:If you cannot start your engine on the first try, wait for a short
period of time and try again.
If you have difficulty starting the engine when the temperature is below
-13°F (-25°C), press the accelerator pedal slightly and try again.
Starting and Stopping the Engine109
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
Your vehicle has been designed to improve fuel economy by reducing
fuel usage while coasting or decelerating. When you take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to slow down, the torque
converter clutch locks up and aggressively shuts off fuel flow to the
engine while decelerating. This fuel economy benefit may be perceived
as a light to medium braking sensation when removing your foot from
the accelerator pedal.
Note:The vehicle can potentially roll back in D (Drive) on a grade.
To prevent this from occurring, it is recommended that you move the
gearshift lever into the 2 (second) position.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Press the brake pedal
•Press the shifter button and move the gearshift lever into the desired
gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of
R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
21
Transmission121
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D (Drive) with Overdrive
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
D (Drive) without Overdrive
Overdrive can be deactivated by pressing the transmission
control switch on the side of the gearshift lever.
•This position allows for all forward gears (1–3) except overdrive.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use when driving conditions cause excessive shifting from O/D to
other gears. Examples: hilly terrain, heavy loads, and when engine
braking is required.
•O/D OFF lamp in the instrument
cluster is illuminated.
•To return to O/D (overdrive mode), press the transmission control
switch. The O/D OFF lamp in the instrument cluster will not be
illuminated.
•
O/D (overdrive) is automatically returned each time the key is turned off.
2 (Second)
This position allows for second gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use to start-up on slippery roads.
•To return to D (Overdrive), move the gearshift lever into the
D (Overdrive) position.
•Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to second gear once the vehicle has slowed down to the
appropriate speed.
1 (First)
This position allows for first gear only.
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•
Selecting 1 (First) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to first gear once the vehicle has slowed down to the
appropriate speed.
Note:2 (Second) and 1 (First) are not intended for use under extended
or normal driving conditions and results in lower fuel economy.
O/D
OFF
122Transmission
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Automatic Transmission Adaptive Learning
This feature is designed to increase durability and provide consistent
shift feel over the life of the vehicle. A new vehicle or transmission may
have firm shifts, soft shifts or both. This operation is considered normal
and will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time,
the adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation.
Additionally, whenever the battery is disconnected or a new battery
installed, the strategy must be relearned.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck in Mud or Snow
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
124Transmission
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HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
When the system is operating, the brake pedal will pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You may also hear a noise
from the system. This is normal.
The anti-lock braking system will not eliminate the dangers inherent
when:
•you drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you.
•your vehicle is hydroplaning.
•you take corners too fast.
•the road surface is poor.
PARKING BRAKE
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the transmission selector lever is securely latched in position
P(automatic transmission) or position1(manual transmission).
To set the parking brake, pull the parking brake handle up as far as
possible.
To release the parking brake:
1. Press and hold the button located at the end of the parking brake
handle.
2. Pull the handle up slightly, then push the handle down.
126Brakes
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AVehicle without AdvanceTrac®
with RSC® skidding off its intended
route.
BVehicle with AdvanceTrac® with
RSC® maintaining control on a
slippery surface.
USING ADVANCETRAC® WITH RSC®
The system automatically activates when you start your engine.
The AdvanceTrac® with RSC® system cannot be completely turned
off, but the electronic stability control and roll stability control portions
of the system are disabled when the transmission is in positionR.You
can turn the traction control portion of the system off independently.
See theTraction Controlchapter.
Stability Control129
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TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
If your vehicle becomes inoperable (without access to wheel dollies,
car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle), it can be flat-towed
(all wheels on the ground, regardless of the powertrain and transmission
configuration) under the following conditions:
•Your vehicle is facing forward for towing in a forward direction.
•
Place the transmission in positionN.SeeAutomatic transmissionin
theTransmissionchapter if you cannot move the transmission intoN.
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 kilometers).
Recreational Towing
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering your vehicle. See theClimate
Controlchapter.
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing,
such as towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. We designed these
guidelines to prevent damage to your transmission.
Do not tow your vehicle with the front wheels on the ground. It is
recommended to tow your vehicle with the front drive wheels on a dolly
with the transmission in positionNor with all four (4) wheels off the
ground, such as when using a car-hauling trailer.
144Towing
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