TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Four primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
•Safety and Vehicle Stability
• Economy
• Tread Wear
• Ride Comfort
Safety
WARNING!
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause collisions.
• Underinflation increases tire flexing and can re-
sult in overheating and tire failure.
• Overinflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire failure.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect ve-
hicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve-
hicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to
the right or left.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect the stabil-
ity of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of sluggish
response or over responsiveness in the steering.
NOTE:
• Unequal tire pressures from side to side may cause
erratic and unpredictable steering response.
• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the
vehicle to drift left or right.
Fuel Economy
Underinflated tires will increase tire rolling resistance
resulting in higher fuel consumption.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 219
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel below the radio.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flashers. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncom-
ing traffic of an emergency. Push the switch a second
time to turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is
disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for other
motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate with
the ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flash-
ers may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down. •
In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmis-
sion in NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle
speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The
A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling system
and turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum heat, the mode control to floor and the blower
control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 247
6. Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cablesin the reverse sequence.
Disconnecting The Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the negative (-)jumper cable from the
engine ground (-)of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
2. Disconnect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable
from the negative (-)post of the booster battery.
3. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+)
jumper cable from the positive (+)post of the booster
battery.
4. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive (+)post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your ve-
hicle, you should have the battery and charging system
inspected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when
not in use (i.e., cellular devices, etc.). Eventually, if
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
plugged in long enough without engine operation,
the vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to
degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from
starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd
gear and REVERSE (with manual transmission), while
gently pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of
accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain the rock-
ing motion, without spinning the wheels, or racing the
engine.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead
to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the
engine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL
(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 271
CAUTION!(Continued)
for at least one minute after every five rocking-
motion cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of clutch or transmission failure
during prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Elec-
tronic Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Off
mode, before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic
Brake Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the
ESC Off switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage,
or even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your
vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not
spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or
drivetrain damage may result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too
fast may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin
the wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear
(no transmission shifting occurring).
GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the gear selector cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the gear
selector:
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
272 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifi-
cations, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing
the vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
• Turn vehicle off and disconnect the fan motor
lead before working near the radiator cooling fan.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is
hot.
• Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry away
from the radiator cooling fan when the hood is
raised. The fan starts automatically and may start
at any time, whether the engine is running or not.
• When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fan is temperature
controlled and can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator.
(Continued)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 295
Electronic Brake Control System................203
Brake Assist System ...................... .204
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ..........90
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............206
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .........122
Emergency, In Case Of Hazard Warning Flasher ...................247
Jacking ............................... .258
Jump Starting .......................... .268
Towing ............................... .274
Emission Control System Maintenance ............281
Engine Air Cleaner ............................ .286
Break-In Recommendations ..................59
Checking Oil Level ...................... .283
Compartment .......................... .279
Cooling .............................. .295
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................60, 242
Fails To Start ........................... .186
Flooded, Starting ........................ .186
Fuel Requirements ....................239, 321
Oil .............................. .283, 320
Oil Filler Cap .......................... .285
Oil Filter .............................. .286
Oil Selection ........................ .284, 321Oil Synthetic
........................... .285
Overheating ........................... .247
Starting .............................. .184
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............276
Ethanol ................................. .239
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................60, 242
Exhaust System ........................ .60, 293
Exterior Lights ......................... .63, 316
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .286
Air Conditioning .....................178, 289
Engine Fuel ........................... .321
Engine
Oil ............................ .286
Engine Oil Disposal ...................... .286
Flashers Turn Signal ......................... .63, 135
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .186
Fluid, Brake ............................. .322
Fluid Capacities ........................... .320
Fluid Leaks ...............................63
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ....................303
Fluids .................................. .321
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ............321
10
INDEX 339
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)...............4
Overheating, Engine ....................... .247
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...........4,333
Paint Care ............................... .304
Parking Brake ............................ .200
Passing Light ..............................83
Pets .....................................59
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ...........216
Power Door Locks ..............................18
Mirrors ................................72
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ............100
Steering .............................. .199
Sunroof ................................98
Windows ...............................19
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts .................29
Preparation For Jacking ..................... .261
Pretensioners Seat Belts ...............................30
Radial Ply Tires ........................... .221
Radio Frequency General Information .....................12, 17
Radio Operation .......................... .167Rear Liftgate (Sedan)
.........................20
Rear Window Features ...................... .105
Recreational Towing ........................ .244
Reformulated Gasoline ...................... .239
Refrigerant .............................. .288
Release, Hood ..............................81
Reminder, Seat Belt ..........................23
Remote Keyless Entry Disarm The Alarm ........................12
Power Convertible Top Function ..............13
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ...........165
Replacement Bulbs ........................ .316
Replacement Keys ...........................11
Replacement Parts ......................... .282
Replacement Tires ......................... .228
Reporting Safety Defects .....................333
Restraints, Child ............................43
Rotation, Tires ............................ .230
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ...................61
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ..................63
Safety
Defects, Reporting .....................333
Safety, Exhaust Gas ..........................60
Safety Information, Tire ..................... .210
Safety Tips ................................60
10
INDEX 343