In the event of a momentary problem,
the transmission can be reset to regain
all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the engine OFF.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range.
If the problem is no longer detected,
the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission
can be reset, we recommend that
you visit your authorized dealer at
your earliest possible convenience.
Your authorized dealer has diag-
nostic equipment to determine if
the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset,
authorized dealer service is required. Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes
an electronically controlled Overdrive
(sixth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into the Overdrive
gear if the following conditions are
present:
the shift lever is in the DRIVE po-
sition,
the transmission fluid has reached an adequate temperature,
the engine coolant has reached an adequate temperature,
vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel
economy has been included in the au-
tomatic transmission on your vehicle. A clutch within the torque converter
engages automatically at calibrated
speeds. This may result in a slightly
different feeling or response during
normal operation in the upper gears.
When the vehicle speed drops or dur-
ing some accelerations, the clutch au-
tomatically disengages.
NOTE: The torque converter
clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine
coolant are warm [usually after
2 to 5 km of driving]. Because the
engine speed is higher when the
torque converter clutch is not en-
gaged, it may seem as if the trans-
mission is not shifting into Over-
drive when cold. This is normal.
Using the AutoStick® shift control,
when the transmission is suffi-
ciently warm, will demonstrate
that the transmission is able to
shift into and out of Overdrive.
146
AUTOSTICK®AutoStick® is a driver-interactive
transmission feature providing manual
shift control, giving you more control of
the vehicle. AutoStick® allows you to
maximize engine braking, eliminate un-
desirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance.
This system can also provide you with
more control during passing, city driv-
ing, cold slippery conditions, mountain
driving, and many other situations.OPERATIONWhen the shift lever is in the
AutoStick® position (below the DRIVE
position), it can be moved from side to
side. This allows the driver to manually
select the transmission gear being used.
Moving the shift lever to the left (-)
triggers a downshift and to the right (+)
an upshift. The current gear will be
displayed in the instrument cluster.
NOTE:
In AutoStick® mode, the
transmission will only shift up or
down when the driver moves the
shift lever to the right (+) or left (-),
unless an engine lugging or over-
speed condition would result. It will
remain in the selected gear until an-
other upshift or downshift is chosen,
except as described below.
The transmission will automati- cally downshift to first gear when
coming to a stop. After a stop, the
driver should manually upshift (+)
the transmission as the vehicle is
accelerated.
You can start out, from a stop, in any
gear except top gear. Tapping (+) (at
a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear is
helpful in snowy or icy conditions. The transmission will automati- cally upshift when necessary to pre-
vent engine over-speed.
If a downshift would cause the en- gine to overspeed, that shift will not
occur until it is safe for the engine. Avoid using speed control when
AutoStick® is engaged.
Transmission shifting will be more
noticeable when AutoStick® is
engaged. If the system detects powertrain overheating, the transmission will
revert to automatic shift mode and
remain in that mode until the pow-
ertrain cools off.
If the system detects a problem, it will disable AutoStick® mode and
the transmission will return to au-
tomatic mode until the problem is
corrected.
To disengage AutoStick® mode, re-
turn the shift lever to the DRIVE po-
sition. You can shift in or out of the
AutoStick® position at any time with-
out taking your foot off the accelera-
tor pedal.
147
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172 ENGINE OIL OVERHEATING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
TIREFIT KIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
TIREFIT STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
TIREFIT KIT COMPONENTS ANDOPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
TIREFIT USAGE PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . .174
SEALING A TIRE WITH TIREFIT. . . . . . . . . . .175
JUMP-STARTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
PREPARATIONS FOR JUMP-START . . . . . . . . .180
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURE . . . . . . . . . . . .181
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE . . . . . . . . . . . .184
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY . . . . . . . . . . . .185
171
PREPARATIONS FOR
JUMP-START
The battery in your vehicle is located
between the left front headlight as-
sembly and the left front wheel splash
shield. To allow jump-starting there
are remote battery posts located on
the left side of the engine compart-
ment.
WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiatorcooling fan whenever the hood is
raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is ON. You can be
injured by moving fan blades.
Remove any metal jewelry such
as watch bands or bracelets that
might make an inadvertent elec-
trical contact. You could be seri-
ously injured.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your skin or eyes
and generate hydrogen gas which
is flammable and explosive. Keep
open flames or sparks away from
the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the
automatic transmission into PARK
and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all
unnecessary electrical accessories. 3. Remove the protective cover over
the remote positive
(+)battery post.
To remove the cover, press the locking
tab and pull upward on the cover.
4. If using another vehicle to jump-
start the battery, park the vehicle
within the jumper cables reach, set
the parking brake and make sure the
ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each
other as this could establish a
ground connection and personal in-
jury could result.
Remote Battery Posts
1 — Remote Positive (+)Post
(covered with protective cap)
2 — Remote Negative (-)Post
Locking Tab
180
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes the procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial wrecker service.Towing ConditionWheels OFF the GroundAutomatic Transmissions
Flat Tow NONEIf transmission is operable:
Transmission inNEUTRAL
40 km/h maxspeed
24 km maxdistance
Wheel Lift Or Dolly Tow
Rear
Front OK
Flatbed ALLBEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is
required to prevent damage to your
vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose,
following equipment manufacturer’s
instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other
towing device to main structural
members of the vehicle, not to bum-
pers or associated brackets. State and
local laws regarding vehicles under
tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers,
defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the
ignition must be in the ON/RUN posi-
tion, not the ACC position.If the vehicle's battery is discharged,
see "Shift Lever Override" in "What
To Do In Emergencies" for instruc-
tions on shifting the automatic trans-
mission out of PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type equipment when towing. Damage to the fas-
cia will occur.
When securing the vehicle to a
flatbed truck, do not attach to
front or rear suspension compo-
nents. Damage to your vehicle
may result from improper towing.
Do not push or tow this vehicle with another vehicle as damage to
the bumper fascia and transmis-
sion may result.
184
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
The manufacturer recommends tow-
ing your vehicle with all four wheels
OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available,
and the transmission is operable, the
vehicle may be flat towed (with all
four wheels on the ground) under the
following conditions:
The transmission must be in NEU-TRAL.
The towing distance must not ex- ceed 24 km.
The towing speed must not exceed 40 km/h. If the transmission is not operable,
or the vehicle must be towed faster
than 40 km/h or farther than
24 km, it must be towed with the
front wheels OFF the ground (us-
ing a flatbed truck, towing dolly, or
wheel lift equipment with the front
wheels raised).
CAUTION!
Towing faster than 40 km/h or far-
ther than 24 km with front wheels
on the ground can cause severe
transmission damage. Such dam-
age is not covered by the New Ve-
hicle Limited Warranty.
WITHOUT THE IGNITION
KEYSpecial care must be taken when the
vehicle is towed with the ignition in the
LOCK/OFF position. Flatbed towing is the preferred towing method. How-
ever, if a flatbed towing vehicle is not
available, wheel lift towing equipment
may be used. Rear towing (with the
front wheels on the ground) is not
allowed, as transmission damage will
occur. If rear towing is the only alter-
native, the front wheels must be placed
on a towing dolly. Proper towing
equipment is necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these towing
methods can cause severe transmis-
sion damage. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Lim-
ited Warranty.
185
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L . . . . . . . . . . . .189
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . . .190
REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190 ENGINE OIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
ENGINE OIL FILTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
ENGINE AIR CLEANER FILTER . . . . . . . . . . .192
MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY . . . . . . . . . .193
AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . .194
A/C AIR FILTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
BODY LUBRICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES . . . . . . . . . . .196
ADDING WASHER FLUID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
EXHAUST SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
COOLING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
BRAKE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
APPEARANCE CARE AND PROTECTIONFROM CORROSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
CLEANING CENTER CONSOLE CUPHOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
187
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC
SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a so-
phisticated onboard diagnostic sys-
tem called OBD II. This system moni-
tors the performance of the emissions,
engine, and automatic transmission
control systems. When these systems
are operating properly, your vehicle
will provide excellent performance
and fuel economy, as well as engine
emissions well within current govern-
ment regulations.If any of these systems require service,
the OBD II system will turn on the “Mal-
function Indicator Light.” It will also
store diagnostic codes and other infor-
mation to assist your service technician
in making repairs. Although your ve-
hicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the “Mal-function Indicator 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 emissions
tests can be performed.
If the “Malfunction Indicator Light” is flashing while the en-
gine is running, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate ser-
vice is required.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine parts for normal/
scheduled maintenance and repairs is
highly recommended to ensure the de-
signed performance. Damage or fail-
ures caused by the use of parts which
are not quality-equivalent to genuine
parts for maintenance and repairs will
not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty. MAINTENANCE
PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the
re-
quired maintenance services deter-
mined by the engineers who designed
your vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items
specified in the fixed maintenance
schedule, there are other components
which may require servicing or re-
placement in the future.
CAUTION!
Failure to properly maintain your
vehicle or perform repairs and ser-
vice when necessary could result in
more costly repairs, damage to
other components or negatively im-
pact vehicle performance. Immedi-
ately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized dealer-
ship or qualified repair center.
(Continued)
190