Maintenance 293
General information...................................293
Opening and closing the hood............................294
Under hood overview..................................295
Engine oil dipstick....................................297
Engine oil check......................................297
Engine coolant check..................................298
Automatic transmission fluid check........................304
Brake fluid check.....................................308
Fuel filter...........................................308
Washer fluid check....................................309
Battery ............................................309
Checking the wiper blades..............................311
Changing the wiper blades..............................311
Air filter(s).........................................312
Adjusting the headlamps................................314
Changing a bulb......................................315
Vehicle Care 320
Cleaning products.....................................320
Cleaning the exterior..................................320
Waxing.............................................322
Repairing minor paint damage............................322
Cleaning the engine...................................322
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................323
Cleaning the interior...................................324
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......324
Cleaning leather seats..................................325
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................326
Vehiclestorage.......................................327
Table of Contents7
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Service engine soon
Theservice engine soonindicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the on position to check the bulb and
to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the service engine soon
light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the service engine
soon light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for
I/M testing. See theReadiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testingin theFuel and Refuelingchapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theFuel and Refuelingchapter. If
the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration
and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately by an
authorized dealer.
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire. Have an authorized dealer service your vehicle
immediately.
Speed control (if equipped) (RTT)
The speed control system indicator light changes color to
indicate what mode the system is in:
•On (gray light-type 1, white light-type 2): Illuminates when the speed
control system is turned on. Turns off when the speed control system
is turned off.
•Engaged (white light-type 1, green light-type 2): Illuminates when the
speed control system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control
system is disengaged.
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Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is turned on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND INDICATORS
Key In Ignition Warning Chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the off or accessory
position and the driver’s door is opened.
Keyless Warning Alert (If Equipped)
Sounds the horn twice when you exit your vehicle with the intelligent
access key, after the last door is closed and your keyless vehicle is in
RUN, indicating your vehicle is still on.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(the key is not in the ignition) and the driver’s door is opened.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you have left the parking brake on and drive your vehicle.
If the warning chime remains on after you have released the parking
brake, have the system checked by your authorized dealer immediately.
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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.
198Fuel and Refueling
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ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident, an authorized dealer should
check the alignment of your headlamps.
Vertical Aim Adjustment
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
•(1) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. Measure the height of the
headlamp bulb center from the
ground and mark an 8 foot
(2.4 meter) horizontal reference line
on the vertical wall or screen at this
height (a piece of masking tape works well). The center of the lamp is
marked bya3millimeter circle on the headlamp lens
3. Turn on the headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and open the
hood.
To see a clearer light pattern for adjusting, you may want to block the
light from one headlamp while adjusting the other.
On the wall or screen you will
observe a flat zone of high intensity
light located at the top of the right
hand portion of the beam pattern. If
the top edge of the high intensity
light zone is not at the horizontal
reference line, the headlamp will
need to be adjusted.
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4. Locate the vertical adjuster on
each headlamp. Using a Phillips #2
screwdriver, turn the adjuster either
clockwise or counterclockwise in
order to adjust the vertical aim of
the headlamp. The horizontal edge
of the brighter light should touch
the horizontal reference line.
5. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
CHANGING A BULB
Lamp Assembly Condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
These are examples of acceptable condensation:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets).
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.
These are examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp
water leak):
•Water puddle inside the lamp.
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens.
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
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Replacing headlamp bulbs
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Note:If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with
rubbing alcohol before being used.
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the hood.
2. Reach in behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulb sockets
and connectors.
3. Locate the high beam/low beam headlamp bulb electrical connector
and remove it by squeezing the locking tab and pulling it straight out.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing HID headlamp bulbs (if equipped)
The headlamps on your vehicle use a “high intensity discharge” source.
These lamps operate at a high voltage. When the bulb is burned out, the
bulb and starter capsule assembly must be replaced by your authorized
dealer.
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Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the hood.
2. Reach behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulb sockets .
3. Remove the bulb socket by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
4. To remove the bulb, pull it
straight out of the bulb socket.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse
order.
Replacing fog lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the fog lamp switch is in the off position.
2. From underneath the vehicle,
partially remove the tire splash
shield by removing four drive
screws from the lower flap.
The splash shield flap can now be
repositioned to allow access to the
front fog lamp bulb and electrical
wire harness.
3. Carefully disconnect the wire
harness connector from the bulb by
releasing the two snap clips.
4. Rotate the bulb counterclockwise
to remove from the fog lamp.
Install the new bulb in reverse order.
Maintenance317
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