- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of an onboard diagnostic system called OBD II
that monitors engine and automatic transmission control 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, poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the light 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.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced above, can reach higher tempera-
tures than in normal operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you drive slowly or park
over flammable substances such as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could result in
death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or others.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Activation/Malfunction
Indicator Light
• If this indicator light flashes during acceleration, apply as little throttle as possible. While
driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions. To improve the vehicle's traction when starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch the ESC system off.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light
The ESC OFF indicator will illuminate when the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is turned off.
- Turn Signal Indicator
The arrows will flash with the exterior turn signals when the turn signal lever is operated.
A tone will chime, and an EVIC message will appear if either turn signal is left on for more
than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTE:
If either indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a defective outside light bulb.
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IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the potential for overheating by taking the
appropriate action:
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL, but do not increaseengine idle speed.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow down an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling system and turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement to the
radiator and aids in removing heat from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge
reads HOT (H), pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner
turned off until the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
HOT (H), and you hear continuous chimes, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when
the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
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JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
Jack Location
• The jack and jack-handle are stowed underneath a cover in the rear storage bin in thecargo area.
Spare Tire Location
• The spare tire is stowed underneath the rear of the vehicle and is held in place by meansof a cable winch mechanism.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway as possible.
Avoid icy or slippery areas.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever in PARK.
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WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pullfar enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and
fall on you. You could be crushed. Never put any part of your body under a vehicle that
is on a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to an authorized service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing tires only. The jack should not
be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should be jacked on a firm
level surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent personal injury or
damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway as possible
before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transmission in PARK.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for lifting this vehicle during a tire
change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are securely stowed, spares must be
stowed with the valve stem facing the ground.
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable. It could
slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough to remove
the tire.
• To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel covers with care to avoid contact
with any sharp edges.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the wheel nuts fully
until the vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow this warning may result in
personal injury.
• A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the places
provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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WARNING!
• When temperatures are below the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged batterymay freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because the battery could rupture or
explode and cause personal injury. Battery temperature must be brought above the
freezing point before attempting a jump-start.
• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling 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 electrical contact. You could be severely 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.
• Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this could establish a ground connection
and personal injury could result.
• Failure to follow this procedure could result in personal injury or property damage
due to battery explosion.
• Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
• If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be moved out of the PARK position, youcan use the following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1.
To access the shift lever override, remove the cubby bin liner located in the center
console behind the shift lever. The override access port is at the front of the cubby bin.
2. Firmly set the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC or ON position without starting the engine.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, press and hold the override tab through the access port on the center console.
6. Move the shift lever into the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the override cover.
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FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved using arocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE and REVERSE while gently pressing the
accelerator. Use the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain the
rocking motion, without spinning the wheels or racing the engine.
NOTE:
Press the "ESC Off" switch, to place the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system in "Partial
Off" mode before rocking the vehicle. Once the vehicle has been freed, press the "ESC Off"
switch again to restore "ESC On" mode.
CAUTION!
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between REVERSE and DRIVE, do not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission over-
heating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessive wheel speeds may
cause tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure someone. Do not spin your
vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) when you are stuck. Do not let anyone
near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
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OPENING THE HOOD
1. Pull the hood release lever located underthe left side of the instrument panel.
2. Raise the hood and locate the safety latch, in the middle of the hood opening.
3. Move the safety latch while lifting the hood at the same time.
4. Insert the support rod into the slot on the hood.
5. To close the hood, remove the support rod and place it in the retaining clip, then
lower the hood slowly.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your vehicle. If the hood is not fully
latched, it could open when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision. Failure to
follow this warning could result in serious injury or death.
1 — Hood Release
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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E-85 Flexible Fuel — 3.6L Engine Only
CAUTION!
Only vehicles with the E-85 fuel filler door label or a yellow gas cap can operate on E-85.
• Refer to your Owner's Manual on the DVD for further details.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change indicator system. The oil change
indicator system will remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for scheduled
maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change indicator message will illuminate.
This means that service is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as frequent
short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message is displayed. Severe
Operating Conditions can cause the change oil message to illuminate as early as
3,500 miles (5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible,
within the next 500 miles (805 km).
On Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) equipped vehicles, “Oil Change Required”
will be displayed in the EVIC and a single chime will sound, indicating that an oil change is
necessary.
On Non-EVIC equipped vehicles, “Change Oil” will flash in the instrument cluster odometer
and a single chime will sound, indicating that an oil change is necessary.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator message after completing the
scheduled oil change. If a scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than your
authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps described under
“Instrument Cluster Warning Lights” in “What To Do In Emergencies” in this guide or
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” in
your Owners Manual on the DVD for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or
twelve months, whichever comes first.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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