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•Avoid driving at a constant speed, either fast or slow,
for long periods.
•Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration while cruising within the posted
speed limits of local traffic laws.
•Use the proper gear for your speed range.
•Wait until the engine has reached normal operating
temperature before driving at the recommended maxi-
mum break-in speed.
•Avoid excessive idling.
•Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
NOTE:A new engine will consume some oil during the
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in and
not interpreted as a sign of difficulty.SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
•It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
•Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
(Continued)
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition is first cycled
to ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-
able.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
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Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the foot well of
your vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal
area unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that
they cannot slip out of position and interfere with the
pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other
ways.
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. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires for proper 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.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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belt is buckled. After the sequence completes, the Seat
Belt Reminder Light remains illuminated until the driv-
er ’s seat belt is buckled. The driver should instruct all
other occupants to buckle their seat belts. Refer to
“Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Start-
ing Your Vehicle” for further information.
15. Air Bag Warning Light
This light will turn on for four to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned to ON/RUN. If the light is either not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected at an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant Restraints”
in “Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for
further information.16. Passenger Air Bag Warning Light
This light should come and remain on for four
to eight seconds as a bulb check when the
ignition is first turned to the START or ON/
RUN position. If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving it may indicate a problem with a passenger
air bag system, if the light flickers it may indicate an air
bag warning bag failure. Have an authorized dealer
service the air bag system immediately.
17. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This telltale 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
when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 117
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CAUTION!
•Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
•Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water and if there are any obstacles in
the way before driving through the standing water.
•Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
•Driving through standing water may cause damage
to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Always
inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, trans-
mission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e.,
fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance) after
driving through standing water. Do not continue to
operate the vehicle if any fluid appears contami-
nated, as this may result in further damage. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
172 STARTING AND OPERATING
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CAUTION!(Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, or air conditioning. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If a flush is needed because of component malfunc-
tion, use only the specified fluid for the flushing
procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level atregular intervals. The best time to check the engine oil
level is before starting the engine after it has sat over-
night.
Do not check oil level when the engine is warm. Check-
ing engine oil level when the engine is warm will give
you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground, and
has sat overnight, will improve the accuracy of the oil
level readings. Maintain the oil level between the range
markings on the dipstick. The safe range is indicated by
a crosshatch zone. Adding 1 quart of oil when the reading
is at the low end of the indicated range will result in the
oil level at the full end of the indicator range.
252 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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•Short, repeated trips (less than 4-5 miles or 7-8 km) at
sub-zero temperatures
•Allowing the engine to idle for extended periods of
time
•Driving for long distances at low speeds
•Allowing the vehicle to sit for long periods of inactiv-
ity
Under any of the above circumstances, the following
checks need to be performed more frequently than indi-
cated in the Maintenance Schedule:
•Check front and rear disc brake pad condition and
wear
•Check cleanliness of tailgate locks.
•Check cleanliness and lubrication of chassis and steer-
ing linkage•Visually inspect condition of: engine, gearbox, trans-
mission, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel system -
brakes) and rubber elements (gaiters - sleeves - bushes
- etc.)
•Check battery charge and battery fluid level (electro-
lyte)
•Visually inspect condition of the auxiliary drive belts
•Check and, if necessary, change engine oil and replace
oil filter
•Check and, if necessary, replace air cleaner
Using the car on track should be regarded as an excep-
tion. The car has been designed and produced for road
use.
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 313
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Change Engine Oil at 4000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment. This
type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
If the vehicle is operated in a dusty or dirty environment
the engine air filter has to be changed every 6500 miles
(10,000 km).
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip/Periodic Checks
Every 600 miles (1,000 km) or before long trips, check
and, if necessary, top off the following:
•Check engine oil level
•Check brake fluid level
•Check windshield washer fluid level•Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir and
brake master cylinder reservoir, and add as needed
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights
•Check screen wash/wipe system and positioning/
wear of windscreen
Every 2000 miles (3000 km) check and, if necessary, top
up: engine oil level
314 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES