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Bi-LevelAir is directed through the panel and floor outlets.
NOTE: For all settings, except full cold or full hot,
there is a difference in temperature between the upper
and lower outlets. The warmer air flows to the floor
outlets. This feature gives improved comfort during
sunny but cool conditions.
Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
small amount flowing through the defrost and
side window demist outlets.
Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost, and side
window demist outlets. This setting works best in
cold or snowy conditions that require extra heat to the
windshield. This setting is good for maintaining comfort
while reducing moisture on the windshield. Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use this mode with maxi-
mum blower and temperature settings for best wind-
shield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:
• The air conditioning compressor operates in Mix,
Defrost, or a blend of these modes, even if the Air
Conditioning (A/C) button is not pressed. This dehu-
midifies the air to help dry the windshield. To improve
fuel economy, use these modes only when necessary.
• For information on operating the Rear Defrost, refer to
“Rear Window Features” in “Understanding The Fea-
tures Of Your Vehicle”.
4
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TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .........359
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .359
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................360
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .362
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .362
▫ All Season Tires – If Equipped ............362
▫ Summer Or Three Season Tires – If Equipped. .363
▫ Snow Tires ......................... .363
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped ................364
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped .........364
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped .............365
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ..........365▫
Tire Spinning ....................... .366
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................367
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .367
▫ Replacement Tires .....................368
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......369
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....370
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS) ...................... .371
▫ Base System ........................ .373
▫ Premium System – If Equipped ............376
▫ General Information ...................381
FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................381
▫ 2.0L And 2.4L Engine ...................381
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▫Reformulated Gasoline .................382
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............382
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......383
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................383
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................384
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................384
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............385
ADDING FUEL ....................... .386
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................386
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............388
VEHICLE LOADING ....................388
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............388
TRAILER TOWING .....................390
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............390
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............393
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) .........394
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............394
▫ Towing Requirements ..................396
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .401
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................403
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .403
314 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if
done improperly, so follow the procedure carefully.
Refer to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emer-
gencies” for further information.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” and “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there. Crank the engine
for no more than 15 seconds. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key
in the ON position, release the accelerator pedal and
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
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Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for optimal fuel
economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the following
table.
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift SpeedsUnits in mph (km/h)
Engine Size Accel-
era-
tion
Rate 1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
All
En-
gines Accel 14
(23)23
(37) 29
(47) 45 (72)
Cruise 12 (19)18
(29) 25
(40) 32 (52)
Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to second or first gear when descending a steep
grade.
When turning a corner or driving up a steep grade,
downshift early so that the engine will not be overbur-
dened.
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DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the best fuel economy. The DRIVE
position provides optimum driving characteristics under
all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or
while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStickshift
control (if equipped) to select a lower gear ratio. Under
these conditions, using a lower gear ratio will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup. During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up
long grades on hot days, the automatic transmission oil
may become too hot. If this happens, the transmission
overheat indicator light will come on, and the vehicle will
slow slightly until the transmission cools down enough
to allow a return to the requested speed. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating. If the
high speed is maintained, the overheating may reoccur,
as before, in a cyclic fashion.
LOW – IF EQUIPPED
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, the trans-
mission will downshift for maximum engine braking,
and upshifts will occur only to prevent engine overspeed.
328 STARTING AND OPERATING
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WARNING! (Continued)
•Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle
to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the
right or left.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation also increases
tire rolling resistance resulting in higher fuel consump-
tion.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride. Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect the stability of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of
sluggish response or over responsiveness in the steering.
Unequal tire pressures can cause erratic and unpredict-
able steering response.
Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the
vehicle to drift left or right.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver’s side “B” Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side
door.
The tire pressure should be checked and adjusted as well
as inspected for signs of tire wear or visible damage at
least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge
to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they are under-inflated.
360 STARTING AND OPERATING
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NOTE:
•The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance or to provide warning of a tire failure
or condition.
• The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
• Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
• The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure using an accurate tire gauge, even
if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Light. •
Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure,
and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire pressure in
the tire.
Base System
This is the TPMS warning indicator located in the
instrument cluster.
The TPMS uses wireless technology with wheel rim
mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part of the valve
stem, transmit tire pressure readings to the Receiver
Module.
NOTE: It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle regularly
and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
• Receiver Module
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