GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle on dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer immediately. Do
not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual
driving characteristics for approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) after you
connect it. This is because the engine management system must realign
itself with the engine. You may disregard any unusual driving
characteristics during this period.
The powertrain control system meets all Canadian interference-causing
equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
or radio noise.
Do not press the accelerator pedal while starting the engine. If you have
difficulty starting the engine, seeFailure to startlater in this section.
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IGNITION SWITCH
Note:Do not store the key in the ignition after the vehicle is turned off
and you have left the vehicle. This could cause a drain on the battery.
A.Accessory:Allows the electrical accessories, such as the radio, to
operate while the engine is not running.
B.Lock:Locks the automatic transmission gearshift lever and allows key
removal.
C.Off:Shuts off the engine and all accessories without locking the
steering wheel.
D.On:All the electrical circuits are operational. Warning lights are
illuminated. This is the key position when driving.
E.Start:Cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
STARTING A GASOLINE ENGINE
When you start the engine, the idle speed increases, this helps to warm
up the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically,
have your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.
Before starting the engine check the following:
•Make sure all occupants have fastened their safety belts.
•Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is on.
•Make sure the gearshift is in positionP.
•Turn the ignition key to the on position.
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Turn the key to the start position. Release the key when the engine
starts.
D
E
C
B
A
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Cold Weather Starting (Flexible Fuel Vehicles Only)
Note:Do not crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at a time as
starter damage may occur. If the engine fails to start, turn the key to off
and wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Note:Do not use starting fluid such as ether in the air intake system.
Such fluid could cause immediate explosive damage to the engine and
possible personal injury.
Note:You may experience a decrease in peak performance when the
engine is cold when operating on E85 ethanol.
The starting characteristics of all grades of E85 ethanol make it
unsuitable for use when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C).
Consult your fuel distributor for the availability of winter grade ethanol.
As the outside temperature approaches freezing, ethanol fuel distributors
should supply winter grade ethanol (same as with unleaded gasoline). If
summer grade ethanol is used in cold weather conditions, 0°F to 32°F
(-18°C to 0°C), you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle
or hesitation until the engine has warmed up.
If you should experience cold weather starting problems on E85 ethanol,
and neither an alternative brand of E85 ethanol nor an engine block
heater is available, adding unleaded gasoline to your tank improves cold
starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate on E85 ethanol
alone, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the two.
SeeChoosing the right fuelin theFuels and Refuelingchapter for
more information on ethanol.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
this checked immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if you smell
exhaust fumes. Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and leave the engine idling for long periods, we
recommend that you do one of the following:
•Open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters).
•Set your climate control to outside air.
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ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury.
WARNING:Do not use your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters. There is a risk of
electrical shock.
Note:The heater is most effective when outdoor temperatures are below
0°F (-18°C).
The heater acts as a starting aid by warming the engine coolant. This
allows the climate control system to respond quickly. The equipment
includes a heater element (installed in the engine block) and a wire
harness. You can connect the system to a grounded 120–volt A/C
electrical source.
We recommend that you do the following for safe and correct operation:
•Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord that is product certified by
Underwriter’s Laboratory or Canadian Standards Association. This
extension cord must be suitable for use outdoors, in cold
temperatures, and be clearly markedSuitable for Use with Outdoor
Appliances.Never use an indoor extension cord outdoors; it could
result in an electric shock or become a fire hazard.
•Use as short an extension cord as possible.
•Do not use multiple extension cords.
•Make sure that when in operation, the extension cord plug and the
heater cord plug connections are free and clear of water. This could
cause an electric shock or fire.
•Make sure your vehicle is parked in a clean area, clear of
combustibles.
•Make sure the heater, heater cord and extension cord are firmly
connected.
•Check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup once the system has
been operating for approximately 30 minutes.
•Make sure the system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving
your vehicle. Make sure the protective cover seals the prongs of the
block heater cord plug when not in use.
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•Keep plug terminals clean and free of dirt and corrosion.
•Make sure the heater system is checked for proper operation before
winter.
Using the Engine Block Heater
Make sure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry before use. To
clean them, use a dry cloth.
The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours of energy per hour of use. The
system does not have a thermostat. It achieves maximum temperature
after approximately three hours of operation. Using the heater longer
than three hours does not improve system performance and
unnecessarily uses electricity.
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Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state, provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. SeeOn-board
Diagnostics (OBD-II)in this chapter.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the service engine soon
indicator is on or not working properly (bulb is burned out), or if the
OBD-II system has determined that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered
not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon indicator stays on solid, it means that
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway or highway followed by
20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once the
engine is started, do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle
is complete. If the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above
driving cycle will have to be repeated.
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USING ADVANCETRAC® WITH RSC® (IF EQUIPPED)
The system automatically activates when you start your engine. The
AdvanceTrac® with RSC® system cannot be completely turned off, but
the electronic stability system and roll stability control portions of the
system are disabled when the transmission is in positionR.You can turn
off the traction control portion of the system independently. See the
Traction Controlchapter.
AdvanceTrac® with RSC® Features
Button
functionsStability
control
lightTCS OFF
lightRSC/ESC TCS
Default at
start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled
Button pressed
momentarilyNot
illuminatedIlluminated
solidEnabledDisabled
below
20 mph
(32 km/h)
Button pressed
again after
deactivation or
driving above
20 mph
(32 km/h)Not
illuminatedNot
illuminatedEnabled Enabled
If you switch off the traction control system below 20 mph (32 km/h),
the TCS OFF light will illuminate steadily. Press the TCS OFF button
again or if the vehicle is above 20 mph (32 km/h) to turn off the TCS
OFF light. The switch will not allow partial traction control system
disabling above 20 mph (32 km/h).
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STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(If the fluid level is below the MIN line mark on the dipstick).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX line
mark, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire.
•uneven tire wear.
•loose or worn suspension components.
•loose or worn steering components.
•improper steering alignment.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
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