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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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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light — If Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
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. Drivingon 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
112 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 
     
        
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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.
WARNING!
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
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
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.
2. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrows will flash in unison with the exte-
rior turn signal, when using the turn signal
lever.
3. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator
Light
This light indicates the Electronic Stability Con-
trol (ESC) is off.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 113 
     
        
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•Distance less than 30 miles (or 50 km).
•The vehicle is parked for a long time with the engine
running.
NOTE:The range depends on several factors: driving
style, type of route (freeway, residential, mountain roads,
etc.), conditions of use of the car (load, tire pressure, etc.).
Trip planning must take into account the above notes.
Average Fuel Consumption
This value shows the approximate average consumption
since the last reset.
Travel Distance
This value shows the distance covered since the last reset.
Current Fuel Consumption
This indicates the fuel consumption. The value is con-
stantly updated. The message “----” will appear on the
display if the car is parked with the engine running.
Average Speed
This value shows the vehicle’s average speed as a func-
tion of the overall time elapsed since the last reset.
Travel Time
This value shows the time elapsed since the last reset.
Tire Pressure Values
This screen will display OK at each Tire Pressure Moni-
toring sensor. Refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring System”
in “Starting And Operating.”
RADIO SYSTEM
The radio system consists of:
•Supply cables for radio, speakers and aerial;
•Radio;
•Aerial on front bumper;
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 141 
     
        
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▫Shallow Standing Water.................171
PARKING BRAKE......................173
BRAKE SYSTEM.......................175
ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL)
SYSTEM.............................175
▫System Activation.....................177
▫System Intervention...................177
▫Electronic Brake Distribution System (EBD) . . .177
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .178
▫Cornering Brake Control System (CBC)......180
▫Drag Torque Control System (DTC)........180
▫AntiSlip Regulation System (ASR).........180
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA)..................182▫Hydraulic Brake Assistant System (HBA). . . .183
▫Electronic Q2 System (E-Q2).............184
▫Ready Alert Brake System (RAB)..........184
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............184
▫Tire Markings........................184
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........188
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........190
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........191
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........196
▫Tire Pressure........................196
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................197
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation. . . .199
▫Radial Ply Tires......................199
152 STARTING AND OPERATING 
     
        
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▫Tire Types...........................200
▫Run Flat Tires — If Equipped.............202
▫Spare Tires — If Equipped...............202
▫Tire Spinning........................205
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................205
▫Life Of Tire.........................206
▫Replacement Tires.....................206
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......208
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....209
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS)..............................210
▫Base System.........................212
▫General Information...................215FUEL REQUIREMENTS — 1.750 Turbo.......215
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................216
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............216
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................216
▫Materials Added To Fuel................217
▫Fuel System Cautions...................217
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............218
ADDING FUEL/SMART FUEL.............219
TRAILER TOWING.....................222
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................222
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .222
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 153 
     
        
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This guarantees greater braking stability for the vehicle,
preventing sudden locking of the rear wheels and the
consequent instability of the vehicle.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Four-Wheel ABS is designed to aid the driver in
maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking con-
ditions. The system operates with a separate computer to
modulate hydraulic pressure, to prevent wheel lock-up
and to help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
The system’s pump motor runs during an ABS stop to
provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation, which is
normal.
The ABS includes an amber ABS Warning Light. When
the light is illuminated, the ABS is not functioning. The
system reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes. Turningthe ignition Off and On again may reset the ABS if the
fault detected was only momentary.
WARNING!
•When the ABS intervenes and you feel the brake
pedal pulsating, do not reduce the pressure, but
hold it down firmly and confidently; in doing so
you will brake in the shortest distance possible,
depending on the current road conditions.
•For maximum efficiency of the braking system, a
bedding-in period of about 311 miles (500 km) is
required: during this period it is advisable to avoid
sharp, repeated and prolonged braking.
•If the ABS intervenes, this indicates that the grip of
the tires on the road is nearing its limit: you must
slow down to a speed compatible with the avail-
able grip.
(Continued)
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Electronic Q2 System (E-Q2)
TheElectronic Q2system intervenes during accelera-
tion on corners, braking the inner drive wheel and thus
increasing the traction of the outer wheel (which bears
more of the car ’s weight): the torque is thus distributed
optimally between the drive wheels in accordance with
the driving conditions and road surface, permitting par-
ticularly effective, sporty driving.
Ready Alert Brake System (RAB)
This function activates automatically if the accelerator
pedal is released rapidly, reducing the brake pad travel
(both at front and back), with the aim of preparing the
braking system and enhancing its responsiveness, thus
reducing the stopping distance in the event of subse-
quent braking.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Standards
Code (TIN)4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades 184 STARTING AND OPERATING