
Note:
When a vehicle passes quickly through
the blind spot zone, typically fewer than two
seconds, the system does not trigger.
Using the System
The Blind Spot Information System turns on
when you start the engine and you drive your
vehicle forward above 5 mph (8 km/h).
For automatic transmissions, the Blind Spot
Information System remains on while the
transmission is in drive (D). If shifted into
reverse (R) or park (P) the Blind Spot
Information System turns off. Once shifted
back into drive (D), the Blind Spot
Information System turns back on when you
drive your vehicle above
5 mph (8 km/h).
For manual transmissions, the Blind Spot
Information System is on for all gears except
the reverse (R).
Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not function in reverse (R) or park (P). System Lights and Messages
The Blind Spot Information System
illuminates an amber alert indicator in the
outside mirror on the side of your vehicle the
approaching vehicle is coming from.
The alert indicator dims when the system
detects nighttime darkness.
System Sensor Blockage WARNING
To help avoid injuries, NEVER use the
Blind Spot Information System as a
replacement for using the interior and
exterior mirrors or looking over your shoulder
before changing lanes. The Blind Spot
Information System is not a replacement for
careful driving. 180
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Driving AidsE142442

Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up to
get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip. When
turning, make wider turns so the trailer
wheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113
km/h) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after
you have traveled 50 miles (80
kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position P to aid engine and
transmission cooling and to help A/C
performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed control
may turn off automatically when you are
towing on long, steep grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective. •
If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and transmission
cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with a
trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you
must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in position
P.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not included
with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before
backing the trailer into the water.
Note: Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after
removing the trailer from the water. When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
•
Do not allow the static water level to rise
above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher than
6 inches (15 centimeters) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to
enter vehicle components:
• Causing internal damage to the
components.
• Affecting driveability, emissions, and
reliability.
Any time the rear axle submerges in water,
replace the rear axle lubricant. Water may
contaminate the rear axle lubricant, which is
not a normal maintenance inspection item
unless there is a possibility of a leak or other
axle repair is required.
205
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Towing

Note:
When you try to restart your vehicle
after a fuel shutoff, the vehicle makes sure
that various systems are safe to restart. Once
your vehicle determines that the systems are
safe, then the vehicle will allow you to restart.
Note: In the event that your vehicle does not
restart after your third attempt, contact an
authorized dealer.
JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE WARNINGS
Batteries normally produce explosive
gases which can cause personal injury.
Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks
or lighted substances to come near the
battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your
eyes. Always provide correct ventilation. Keep batteries out of reach of children.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid. Avoid
contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the
battery to protect against possible splashing
of acid solution. In case of acid contact with
skin or eyes, flush immediately with water for
a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call
a physician immediately. WARNINGS
Use only adequately sized cables with
insulated clamps.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Do not attempt to push-start your automatic
transmission vehicle.
Note:
Attempting to push-start a vehicle with
an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.
Note: Use only a 12-volt supply to start your
vehicle.
Note: Do not disconnect the battery of the
disabled vehicle as this could damage the
vehicle electrical system.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle, making sure the two
vehicles do not touch. Connecting the Jumper Cables WARNINGS
Do not attach the cables to fuel lines,
engine rocker covers, the intake
manifold or electrical components as
grounding points. Stay clear of moving parts.
To avoid reverse polarity connections, make
sure that you correctly identify the positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on both the
disabled and booster vehicles before
connecting the cables. Do not attach the end of the positive
cable to the studs or L-shaped eyelet
located above the positive (+) terminal
of your vehicle ’s battery. High current may
flow through and cause damage to the fuses. Do not connect the end of the second
cable to the negative (-) terminal of
the battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases that
surround the battery. Note:
In the illustration, the bottom vehicle
represents the booster vehicle.
213
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Roadside Emergencies

Engine oil dipstick. See Engine Oil Dipstick (page 245).
C.
Brake fluid reservoir. See
Brake Fluid Check (page 254).
D.
Battery. See
Changing the 12V Battery (page 255).
E.
Power distribution box. See
Fuses (page 223).
F.
Air filter assembly. See
Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 262).
G.
Automatic transmission dipstick (under air filter assembly). See
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check (page 250).
H.
Windshield washer fluid reservoir. See
Washer Fluid Check (page 254).
I.
243
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Maintenance

Battery. See Changing the 12V Battery (page 255).
E.
Power distribution box. See
Fuses (page 223).
F.
Air filter assembly. See
Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 262).
G.
Automatic transmission dipstick (under air filter assembly). See
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check (page 250).
H.
Windshield washer fluid reservoir. See
Washer Fluid Check (page 254).
I.
Engine Shield Some vehicles may be equipped with an
aero-shield under the engine. This shield
needs to be removed for service, including oil
and filter changes. The shield has four
quick-release fasteners to secure it in place. ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
MINA
MAX
B ENGINE OIL CHECK
Note:
Check the level before starting the
engine.
Note: Make sure that the oil level is between
the minimum and the maximum marks.
1. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 10 minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth. Replace the dipstick
and remove it again to check the oil level.
If the oil level is at the minimum mark, add
oil immediately.
Adding Engine Oil
Note: Do not remove the filler cap when the
engine is running.
245
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing MaintenanceE173374 E146429

At this time, you may notice your engine
coolant temperature gauge needle move
toward the H and the POWER REDUCED
TO LOWER TEMP message may appear in
the information display.
You may notice a reduction in vehicle speed
caused by reduced engine power. In order to
manage the engine fluid temperatures, your
vehicle may enter this mode if certain
high-temperature and high-load conditions
take place. The amount of speed reduction
depends on many factors such as vehicle
loading, towing, grade and ambient
temperature. If this occurs, there is no need
to pull off the road. You can continue to drive
your vehicle while this message is active.
The air conditioning may also cycle on and
off during severe operating conditions to
protect overheating of the engine. When the
engine coolant temperature decreases to a
normal operating temperature, the air
conditioning will turn on once again.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge
moves fully into the red (hot) area, or if the
coolant temperature warning or service
engine soon messages appear in your
information display:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and shift the transmission into
P
. 2.
Leave the engine running until the coolant
temperature gauge needle moves away
from the red (hot) area. After several
minutes, if the temperature does not
drop, follow the remaining steps.
3. Switch the engine off and wait for it to cool before checking the coolant level.
4. If the coolant level is normal, restart your
engine and continue.
5. If the coolant is low, add coolant, and restart the engine. See
Adding Engine
Coolant or How Fail-Safe Cooling
Works in this chapter for more
information.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
6F50/6F55 Transmission
(If Equipped) WARNINGS
The dipstick cap and surrounding
components may be hot, use gloves.
Use gloves when moving the air filter
assembly. Components will be hot. Note:
Automatic transmission fluid expands
when warmed. To obtain an accurate fluid
check, drive your vehicle until you warm it up,
approximately
20 mi (30 km). If you operate
your vehicle for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot weather or
pulling a trailer, switch your vehicle off until it
reaches normal operating temperatures to
allow the fluid to cool before checking.
Depending on vehicle use, cooling times could
take up to 30 minutes or longer.
Refer to your scheduled maintenance
information for scheduled intervals for fluid
checks and changes. Your transmission does
not consume fluid. However, you should
check the fluid level if the transmission is not
working properly. For example, if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of a fluid leak.
1. Drive your vehicle 20 mi (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Park your vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your
foot on the brake pedal, start the engine
and move the gearshift lever through all
of the gear ranges. Allow a minimum of
10 seconds for each gear to engage.
4. Put the gearshift lever in park (P) and leave the engine running.
250
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Maintenance

High fluid level
If the fluid level is above the MAX range of
the dipstick, remove fluid to reach the
hashmark level.
Note:
Fluid level above the MAX level may
cause shift or engagement concerns or
possible damage. An overheating condition
can cause high fluid levels. If you operate your
vehicle for an extended period at high speeds,
in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a
trailer, you should switch your vehicle off until
your vehicle reaches normal operating
temperatures. Depending on vehicle use,
cooling times could take up to 30 minutes or
longer. Adjusting Automatic Transmission Fluid
Levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct
type is used. The type of fluid used is
normally indicated on the dipstick and in the
Technical Specifications section in this
chapter.
Note:
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift or engagement concerns
or possible damage. Do not use supplemental transmission fluid
additives, treatments or cleaning agents. The
use of these materials may affect
transmission operation and result in damage
to internal transmission components.
Reinstall the air filter assembly. After you
check the fluid level and adjust as necessary,
do the following:
1. Switch the engine off.
2. Loosen the clamp holding the air filter
assembly to the rubber hose.
3. Seat the air filter assembly back into the grommets by pushing down on the air
filter assembly.
4. Tighten the clamp.
5. Install and tighten the two bolts that attach the air filter assembly to the front
of the vehicle.
6. Install the bolt cover.
7. Reinstall the harness retaining clip into the front of the air filter assembly.
253
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing MaintenanceE158844 E158845 E158846

TRANSMISSION CODE
DESIGNATION The transmission code is on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. The following
table shows the transmission code along with
the transmission description.
Code
Description
J
Six-speed automatic transmission (6F50)
C
Six-speed automatic transmission (6F55)
301
MKS (CLE) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, First Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE167814