553
Driving your vehicle
WARNING
Overloading your vehicle can
cause heat buildup in your
vehicle's tires and possible
tire failure that could lead to a
crash.
Overloading your vehicle can
cause increased stopping dis-
tances that could lead to a
crash.
A crash resulting from poor
handling, vehicle damage, tire
failure, or increased stopping
distances could result in seri-
ous injury or death.
WARNING - Loose cargo
Items you carry inside your
vehicle can strike and injure
occupants in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
Put items in the cargo area of
your vehicle. Try to spread the
weight evenly.
Never stack items, like suit-
cases, inside the vehicle
above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure it.
Do not drive with a seat folded
down unless necessary.CAUTION
Overloading your vehicle may
cause damage. Repairs would
not be covered by your warran-
ty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension com-
ponents to get added durability
might not change your weight
ratings. Ask your dealer to help
you load your vehicle the right
way.
Maintenance
58 7
Temperature -A, B & C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B and C representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C cor-
responds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the labora-
tory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.Tire terminology and definitions
Air Pressure: The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward on
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilo-
pascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight: This means the
combined weight of optional acces-
sories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, EcoShift dual clutch
transmission, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords
that is located between the plies and
the tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead: The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that
hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in
which the plies are laid at alternate
angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.WARNING - Tire
temperature
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
build-up and possible sudden
tire failure. This can cause loss
of vehicle control and serious
injury or death.
Maintenance
84 7
Interior care
Interior general precautions
Prevent chemicals such as perfume, cos-
metic oil, sun cream, hand cleaner, and
air freshener from contacting the interior
parts because they may cause damage
or discoloration. If they do contact the
interior parts, wipe them off immediately.
See the instructions for the proper way to
clean vinyl.
Cleaning the upholstery and interior
trim
Vinyl
Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean vinyl surfaces with a vinyl cleaner.
Fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt from fabric
with a whisk broom or vacuum cleaner.
Clean with a mild soap solution recom-
mended for upholstery or carpets.
Remove fresh spots immediately with a
fabric spot cleaner. If fresh spots do not
receive immediate attention, the fabric
can be stained and its color can be
affected. Also, its fire-resistant properties
can be reduced if the material is not
properly maintained.
Cleaning the lap/shoulder belt web-
bing
Clean the belt webbing with any mild
soap solution recommended for cleaning
upholstery or carpet. Follow the instruc-
tions provided with the soap. Do not
bleach or re-dye the webbing because
this may weaken it.
Cleaning the interior window glass
If the interior glass surfaces of the vehi-
cle become fogged (that is, covered with
an oily, greasy or waxy film), they should
be cleaned with glass cleaner. Follow the
directions on the glass cleaner container.
CAUTION
Never allow water or other liquids
to come in contact with electri-
cal/electronic components inside
the vehicle as this may damage
them.
When cleaning leather products
(steering wheel, seats etc.), use
neutral detergents or low alcohol
content solutions. If you use high
alcohol content solutions or
acid/alkaline detergents, the color
of the leather may fade or the sur-
face may get stripped off.
CAUTION
Using anything but recommended
cleaners and procedures may affect
the fabric’s appearance and fire-
resistant properties.
CAUTION
Do not scrape or scratch the inside
of the rear window. This may result
in damage to the rear window
defroster grid.
I7
Index
Maintenance under severe usage conditions ..............7-27
Seat belts ......................................................................3-13
Shoulder belt extension guide ....................................3-15
Lap/shoulder belt ..........................................................3-5
Pre-tensioner seat belt ................................................3-17
Seatback pocket ..............................................................3-7
Seats ................................................................................3-2
Front seat adjustment - manual ....................................3-5
Seatback pocket ............................................................3-7
Headrest ..............................................................3-6, 3-11
Rear seat ....................................................................3-11
Shift lock system ..........................................................5-20
Side impact air bag........................................................3-48
Smart key ........................................................................4-4
Smooth cornering ..........................................................5-42
Snow tires ......................................................................5-45
Special driving conditions ............................................5-41
Driving at night ..........................................................5-42
Driving in flooded areas ............................................5-43
Driving in the rain ......................................................5-43
Hazardous driving conditions ....................................5-41
Highway driving ........................................................5-44
Rocking the vehicle ....................................................5-41
Smooth cornering ......................................................5-42
Speedometer ..................................................................4-45
Sports mode ..................................................................5-19
Starting difficulties, see engine will not start ................6-3
Starting the engine ................................................5-6, 5-10Steering wheel ..............................................................4-38
Horn ............................................................................4-40
Power steering ............................................................4-38
Tilt steering ................................................................4-39
Storage compartment ....................................................4-90
Center console storage ..............................................4-90
Glove box ..................................................................4-90
Sunglass holder ..........................................................4-91
Sunglass holder ............................................................4-91
Sunroof, see sunroof ....................................................4-34
Sunvisor ........................................................................4-94
Tachometer ....................................................................4-45
Theft-alarm system........................................................4-14
Tilt steering ..................................................................4-39
Tire pressure ..................................................................7-50
Tire specification and pressure label ..............................8-7
Tires and wheels............................................................7-49
Recommended cold tire inflation pressures ..............7-49
Checking tire inflation pressure ................................7-50
Wheel alignment and tire balance ..............................7-52
Compact spare tire replacement ................................7-54
Wheel replacement ....................................................7-54
Tires and wheels..............................................................8-3
Towing ..........................................................................6-26
Emergency towing ......................................................6-26
T