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Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper 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.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
4
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CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
8. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an Onboard Diagnostic system, called OBD, that
monitors engine and automatic transmission con-
trol systems. The light will illuminate when the key is in
the ON/RUN position, before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when turning the key from OFF to
ON/RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as poor fuel quality, etc., may
illuminate the MIL after engine start. The vehicle should
be serviced if the light stays on through several of your
typical driving cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will
drive normally and will not require towing.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) on could cause damage to the engine
control system. It also could affect fuel economy and
driveability. If the MIL is flashing, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
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ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC)
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
instrument cluster.The EVIC Menu items consists of the following:
•
Fuel Economy
• Vehicle Speed
• Trip Info
• Tire Pressure
• Vehicle Info
• SRT
• Turn Menu OFF
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
4
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•Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 3.0 gal
(11.0 L) this light will turn on, and remain on until
fuel is added.
• Windshield Washer Fluid Low Indicator
This light will turn on to indicate the wind-
shield washer fluid is low.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Malfunction
This light will turn on when a ACC is not
operating and needs service. For further infor-
mation, refer to “Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)” in “Understanding The Features Of
Your Vehicle.”EVIC Red Telltale Lights
This area will show reconfigurable red telltales. These
telltales include:
• Door Ajar
This light will turn on to indicate that one or
more doors may be ajar.
• Trunk Ajar
This light will turn on to indicate that the trunk
may be ajar.
• Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the
light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut off
the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound for
four minutes when this light turns on.
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▫Traction ........................... .418
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............418
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................419
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................419
 POWER STEERING .....................420
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............421
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY — IF EQUIPPED . . .422
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .422
 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .............425
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .426
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............427
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............427
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............428 ▫
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........428
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................432
▫ Ready Alert Braking ...................434
▫ Rain Brake Support ....................434
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................434
▫ Synchronizing ESC ....................436
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............436
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .436
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........440
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........442
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........443
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........447
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▫Tire Pressure ....................... .447
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................448
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .450
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .450
▫ Tire Types .......................... .451
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............452
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............453
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .455
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................455
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .456
▫ Replacement Tires .....................457
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......458
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....460▫
Tire Rotation ........................ .460
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .461
▫ Premium System ..................... .463
▫ General Information ...................468
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................468
▫ 6.4L Engine ......................... .468
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................469
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............469
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......470
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................471
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................471
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................471
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............472
5
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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.
NOTE:
•
Unequal tire pressures from side to side may cause
erratic and unpredictable 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.
At least once a month:
• Check and adjust tire pressure with a good quality
pocket-type pressure gauge. Do not make a visual
448 STARTING AND OPERATING