If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction In-
dicator Light” begins to flash during
acceleration, ease up on the accelerator
and apply as little throttle as possible.
Be sure to adapt your speed and driving
to the prevailing road conditions.NOTE:
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator
Light” come on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is
turned ON.
Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system will be ON
even if it was turned off
previously.
The ESC system will make buzz- ing or clicking sounds when it is
active. This is normal; the
sounds will stop when ESC be-
comes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESC
activation. The “ESC OFF Indicator
Light” indicates the Elec-
tronic Stability Control
(ESC) is off.
TIRES — GENERAL
INFORMATION
TIRE PRESSURE
Proper tire inflation pressure is essen-
tial to the safe and satisfactory opera-
tion of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire
pressure:
Safety
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are dan- gerous and can cause collisions.
Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can result in over-
heating and tire failure.
Over-inflation reduces a tire's
ability to cushion shock. Objects
on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire
failure.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling
and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Unequal tire pressures can cause
steering problems. You could lose
control of your vehicle.
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 in-
flated to the recommended cold
tire inflation pressure.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can
cause uneven wear patterns to de-
velop across the tire tread. These ab-
normal wear patterns will reduce
tread life resulting in a need for earlier
tire replacement. Under-inflation also
increases tire rolling resistance result-
ing in higher fuel consumption.
247
Over 40 automobile manufacturer's
world wide have issued and endorsed
consistent gasoline specifications (the
World Wide Fuel Charter, WWFC)
which define fuel properties necessary
to deliver enhanced emissions, perfor-
mance, and durability for your ve-
hicle. The manufacturer recommends
the use of gasoline that meets the
WWFC specifications if they are
available.
METHANOL
(Methyl or Wood Alcohol) is used in a
variety of concentrations when
blended with unleaded gasoline. You
may find fuels containing 3% or more
methanol along with other alcohols
called cosolvents. Problems that re-
sult from using methanol/gasoline or
E-85 Ethanol blends are not the re-
sponsibility of the manufacturer.
While MTBE is an oxygenate made
from Methanol, it does not have the
negative effects of Methanol.
CAUTION!
Do not use gasolines containing
Methanol or E-85 Ethanol. Use of
these blends may result in starting
and driveability problems and may
damage critical fuel system compo-
nents.
ETHANOL
The manufacturer recommends that
your vehicle be operated on fuel con-
taining no more than 10% ethanol.
Purchasing your fuel from a reputable
supplier may reduce the risk of ex-
ceeding this 10% limit and/or of re-
ceiving fuel with abnormal properties.
It should also be noted that an in-
crease in fuel consumption should be
expected when using ethanol-blended
fuels, due to the lower energy content
of ethanol.
Problems that result from using
methanol/gasoline or E-85 Ethanol
blends are not the responsibility of the
manufacturer. While MTBE is an oxy-
genate made from Methanol, it does not have the negative effects of
Methanol.
CAUTION!
Use of fuel with Ethanol content
higher than 10% may result in en-
gine malfunction, starting and op-
erating difficulties, and materials
degradation. These adverse effects
could result in permanent damage
to your vehicle.
CLEAN AIR GASOLINE
Many gasolines are now being
blended that contribute to cleaner air,
especially in those areas where air
pollution levels are high. These new
blends provide a cleaner burning fuel
and some are referred to as “reformu-
lated gasoline.”
The manufacturer supports these ef-
forts toward cleaner air. You can help
by using these blends as they become
available.
MMT IN GASOLINE
MMT is a manganese containing me-
tallic additive that is blended into
some gasoline to increase octane.
268
