
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position, the
Brake Warning Light in the instrument cluster will
illuminate.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. The parking brake
should always be applied whenever the driver is not in
the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
• Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and a collision.
• Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury.
CAUTION!
If the Brake Warning Light remains on with the
parking brake released, a brake system malfunction
(Continued)
1 — Parking Brake Release Button
2 — Parking Brake Lever
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 231

CAUTION!(Continued)
is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic brake
systems. If either of the two hydraulic systems loses
normal capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion. However, there will be some loss of overall brak-
ing effectiveness. You may notice increased pedal travel
during application, greater pedal force required to slow
or stop, and potential activation of the “Brake System
Warning Light”.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine off), the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required
to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that
required with the power system operating.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with a advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction
Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Dynamic Steering Torque (DST), and Electronic Stability Control
(ESC). All systems work together to enhance vehicle
stability and control in various driving conditions and
are commonly referred to as ESC.
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 sur-
faces.
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. Turn-
ing the ignition Off and On again may reset the ABS if
the fault detected was only momentary.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Pumping the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to a collision.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.
• The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition
of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded.
• The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing.
• The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner, which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
When you are in a severe braking condition involving
the use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop
as the vehicle comes to a stop. This is the result of the
system reverting to the base brake system. Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a
pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.
These occurrences are normal and indicate that the
system is functioning properly.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sensing
the rate and amount of brake application and then applies
optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help reduce
braking distances. The BAS complements the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes very quickly
results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the benefit of
the system, you must apply
continuousbraking pressure
during the stopping sequence (do not “pump” the
brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless
braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal is
released, the BAS is deactivated.
WARNING!
• The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 233

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.
274 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the gear selector in PARK.
5. Turn Off the ignition.
6. Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonallyopposite of the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right front tire,
block the left rear wheel.
NOTE: Passengers should not remain in the vehicle
while the vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and place transmis-
sion in PARK.
• Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on
a jack.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on
a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to
a service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
282 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in the Jacking
Instructions for this vehicle.
1. Remove the spare tire, jack, and wheel bolt wrench.
2. If equipped with aluminum wheels where the center cap covers the wheel bolts, use the wheel bolt
wrench to pry the center cap off carefully before
raising the vehicle. 3. Before raising the vehicle, use the wheel bolt wrench
to loosen, but not remove, the wheel bolts on the
wheel with the flat tire. Turn the wheel bolts coun-
terclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the
ground.
Jack Warning Label
Front Jacking Location
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 283

NOTE:There are front and rear jacking locations on
each side of the body (as indicated by the traingular lift
point symbols on the sill molding).
4. Place the jack underneath the lift area that is closest to the flat tire. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly
engage the jack saddle with the lift area of the sill
flange, centering the jack saddle between the locating
notches on the sill flange.
5. Raise the vehicle just enough to remove the flat tire and install the spare tire.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
6. Remove the wheel bolts and tire.
7. Mount the spare tire.
CAUTION!
Be sure to mount the spare tire with the valve stem
facing outward. The vehicle could be damaged if
the spare tire is mounted incorrectly.
NOTE: •For vehicles so equipped, do not attempt to install
a center cap or wheel cover on the compact spare.
• Refer to “Compact Spare Tire” and to “Limited-Use
Spare” under “Tires—General Information” in
“Starting and Operating” for additional warnings,
cautions, and information about the spare tire, its
use, and operation.Rear Jacking Location
284 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

8. Install the wheel bolts with the threaded end of thewheel bolt toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the
wheel bolts.
WARNING!
•To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the
jack, do not tighten the lug nuts fully until the
vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow this
warning may result in personal injury.
• To avoid possible personal injury, handle the
wheel covers with care to avoid contact with any
sharp edges.
9. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
10. Finish tightening the wheel bolts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle for increased
leverage. Tighten the wheel bolts in a star pattern
until each wheel bolt has been tightened twice.
Refer to Torque Specifications in this section for
proper lug nut torque. If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench
by your authorized dealer or at a service station. 11. Stow the jack, tools and flat tire.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the
vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare
tire in the places provided. Have the deflated (flat)
tire repaired or replaced immediately.
Spare Tire Stowage
Rotate the jack wrench tool on the winch drive nut
clockwise (the flat tire must not be connected to the
winch) until effort becomes heavy and an audible click
is heard indicating the winch is properly stowed.
Cover the flat tire with the Emergency Spare Tire Bag
and stow the flat tire into the trunk.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
jack wrench extension tool only. Use of air wrench
or power tool may damage the winch.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 285