Page 92 of 438
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 or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation 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 proper 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.
90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 157 of 438
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop the ve-
hicle 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 indicate how
much oil is in the engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 155
Page 241 of 438

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.
• 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
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
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.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
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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 at regular intervals, such as every month. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed up engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings.
There are three possible dipstick types,
•
Crosshatched zone.
• Crosshatched zone marked SAFE.
• Crosshatched zone marked with MIN at the low end of
the range and MAX at the high end of the range.
NOTE: Always maintain the oil level within the cross-
hatch markings on the dipstick.
Adding 1 quart (1.0 liters) of oil when the reading is at the
low end of the dipstick range will raise the oil level to the
high end of the range marking.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 355
Page 376 of 438

WARNING!(Continued)
cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard or pro-
longed braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Power Steering Fluid
Check the fluid level with the vehicle on flat ground and
engine cold. Fluid should be between MIN and MAX
references on the reservoir body.
The level may go over the MAX line when oil is hot.
If topping off is required, make sure the oil you use is
approved. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts” in the section for further information.
WARNING!
Because it is flammable, do not allow the power
steering fluid to come into contact with hot engine
parts
NOTE: Power steering fluid consumption is very low. If
you need to top off your fluid often and multiple times
have your system inspected by your authorized dealer.
374 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 405 of 438

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir and
brake master cylinder, fill as needed.
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses,
lines and park brake
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses
• Inspect exhaust system
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions 8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 403
Page 423 of 438

Fluid Change......................... .376
Fluid Level Check ...................375, 376
Fluid Type ........................ .375, 399
Special Additives ...................... .375
Auto Up Power Windows ....................27
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) ........130
Axle Lubrication ......................... .399
Battery ............................ .156, 359
Charging System Light ...................156
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........19
Belts, Seat ...............................88
Body Builders Guide ........................6
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................361
B-Pillar Location ......................... .260
Brake Assist System ...................... .246
Brake Fluid ............................ .399
Brake, Parking .......................... .241
Brake System ........................ .244, 372Anti-Lock (ABS)
....................... .244
Fluid Check ....................... .373, 399
Master Cylinder ....................... .373
Parking ............................. .241
Warning Light ........................ .159
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................228
Bulb Replacement ..................... .392, 393
Bulbs, Light .......................... .90, 392
Camera, Rear ........................... .128
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .396
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .289
Oil (Engine) ....................... .349, 357
Power Steering ........................ .240
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................370
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................87, 288
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ .136
Car Washes ............................ .377
10
INDEX 421
Page 426 of 438

Trip Functions........................ .188
Emergency, In Case Of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ................339
Jump Starting ......................... .335
Towing ............................. .341
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........352
Engine ................................ .349
Air Cleaner .......................... .358
Block Heater ......................... .225
Break-In Recommendations .................85
Checking Oil Level ..................... .355
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................397
Cooling ............................. .366
Exhaust Gas Caution ..................87, 288
Fails To Start ......................... .225
Flooded, Starting ...................... .225
Fuel Requirements ..................... .284
Jump Starting ......................... .335
Oil .......................... .355, 396, 397Oil Filler Cap
...................... .349, 357
Oil Filter ............................ .358
Oil Selection ...................... .356, 396
Oil Synthetic ......................... .357
Overheating ...........................311
Starting ............................. .223
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .357
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ...................357
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............57
Ethanol ............................... .285
Event Data Recorder ........................60
Exhaust Gas Caution ....................87, 288
Exhaust System ....................... .87, 364
Exterior Lights ............................90
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .358
Engine Oil ........................ .358, 397
Engine Oil Disposal .....................358
424 INDEX