Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal
occurrence and can be minimized. If the buffeting
occurs with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof open-
ing to minimize the buffeting or open any window.
LIFTGATE
To unlock the liftgate, use the Remote Keyless Entry key
fob or activate the central locking button located on the
instrument panel below the radio.
To open the liftgate, push the liftgate electronic release
and pull the liftgate open with one fluid motion.
WARNING!
•Driving with the liftgate open can allow poisonous
exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
Do not use the recirculation mode.
Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
Liftgate Emergency Release
As a security measure, a liftgate emergency release is
built into the liftgate latching mechanism. To access the
liftgate emergency release, proceed as follows:
1. Remove the rear headrests and fold down the seats completely.
2. Take the screwdriver from the tool box supplied.
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all
collisions, and also are needed to help keep you in
position, away from an inflating air bag.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the front air
bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of
non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the front air bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right
side of the instrument panel separate and fold out of the
way as the air bags inflate to their full size. The front air
bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to blink your
eyes. The front air bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and front passenger, and position the front
occupants for improved interaction with the front air
bags.
WARNING!
•Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee impact
bolsters in any way.
• Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact
bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band
radios, etc.
Supplemental Driver Knee Air Bag
This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Driver
Knee Air Bag mounted in the instrument panel below
the steering column. The Supplemental Driver Knee Air
Bag provides enhanced protection during a frontal
impact by working together with the seat belts, preten-
sioners, and front air bags.
Supplemental Side Air Bags
Your vehicle is equipped with two types of side air
bags:
1. Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SABs):
Located in the outboard side of the front seats. The
SABs are marked with a “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIR-
BAG” label sewn into the outboard side of the
seats.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
▫Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) ..........235
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .........235
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ...............236
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) .........238
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ............239
▫ Tire Markings .......................239
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........243
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions .........244
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ..........245
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .......249
▫ Tire Pressure .......................249
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................250
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . .251
▫ Radial Ply Tires .....................251
▫ Tire Types ..........................252
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped ............253▫
Spare Tires — If Equipped ..............253
▫ Tire Spinning .......................256
▫ Tread Wear Indicators .................256
▫ Life Of Tire ........................257
▫ Replacement Tires ....................258
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) ......259
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .260
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES .......261
▫ Treadwear ..........................261
▫ Traction Grades ..................... .261
▫ Temperatur
e Grades ...................261
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................ .262
▫ Base System ........................264
▫ General Information ...................266
FUEL REQUIREMENTS — 1.4L Turbo .......266
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................266
216 STARTING AND OPERATING
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free bat-
tery. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery
fluid to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do
not lean over a battery when attaching clamps. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area
immediately with large amounts of water. Refer
to “Jump-Starting Procedures” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow
cable clamps to touch each other.
• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that
should not be disconnected and should only be
replaced with a battery of the same type (vented).
CAUTION!
•It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) and are identified on the
battery case. Cable clamps should be tight on the
terminal posts and free of corrosion.
• If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is in
the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to the battery. Do
not use a “fast charger” to provide starting volt-
age.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 305
If an examination of your engine compartment shows
no evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may
be safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
• Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure
tested for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
a minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (anti-
freeze) performance, poor gas mileage, and increased
emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnor-
mally high brake temperatures, excessive lining
wear, and possible brake damage. Riding the
brakes may also reduce braking capacity in an
emergency.
Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level in the master cylinder should be checked
when performing under hood services, or immediately
if the “Brake Warning Light” is on.
318 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE