
If frequent jump starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at an 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 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.
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 transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle speed
while preventing vehicle motion with the brakes. 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 maximum
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.
342 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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
for at least one minute after every five rocking-
motion cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of transmission failure during pro-
longed efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
DRIVE 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 transmis-
sion shifting occurring).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
346 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems can result in civil penalties being assessed against
you.
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 specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
• 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. NOTE:
Your vehicle’s exhaust system may be equipped
with an Electronic Exhaust Valve (EEV) system, if the
exhaust system is replaced with aftermarket products a
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will illuminate.
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 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, discon-
nect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition to the
OFF mode. The fan is temperature controlled and can
start at any time the ignition is in the ON mode.
380 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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 result
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 vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems.
You could lose control of your vehicle.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle
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 stability
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.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 399

Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light.........133
Emergency, In Case Of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck .................345
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................301
Jacking ............................323, 388
Jump Starting ........................338, 340
Towing ............................... .346
Emission Control System Maintenance ............143
Engine .......................... .362, 363, 364
Air Cleaner ............................ .371
Block Heater ............................225
Break-In Recommendations .................226
Checking Oil Level .......................365
Compartment ....................362, 363, 364
Compartment Identification .................362
Coolant (Antifreeze) ...................381, 432
Cooling ...............................380
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................214, 428
Fails To Start ............................225
Flooded, Starting ........................ .225
Fuel Requirements ....................424, 431
Jump Starting ........................338, 340
Oil ............................368, 431, 432
Oil Filler Cap .....................362, 369, 370
Oil Filter ...............................371 Oil Selection
........................ .368, 431
Oil Synthetic ............................370
Overheating ............................342
Starting ............................222, 223
Engine Oil Viscosity .....................369, 370
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ....................369
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .........194, 349
Ethanol ............................. .426, 428
Exhaust Gas Cautions ....................214, 428
Exhaust System ........................214, 379
Exterior Lighting............................
64
Exterior Lights ..........................64, 217
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .371
Air Conditioning ..................... .90, 373
Engine Oil ..........................371, 432
Engine Oil Disposal .......................370
Flashers .................................301
Hazard Warning ........................ .301
Turn Signals ..................... .69, 141, 217
Flash-To-Pass ..............................67
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ..........................430
Engine Oil ............................ .429
538 INDEX

Change Interval........................ .368
Checking ............................. .365
Dipstick ...............................365
Disposal ...............................370
Filter ............................. .371, 432
Filter Disposal .......................... .370
Identification Logo .......................369
Materials Added To .......................370
Pressure Warning Light ....................134
Recommendation .....................368, 431
Synthetic ............................. .370
Viscosity ........................369, 370, 431
Oil Filter, Change ..........................371
Oil Filter, Selection ..........................371
Oil Pressure Light ..........................134
Onboard Diagnostic System ...................142
Operating Precautions .......................142
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ...............5
Outside Rearview Mirrors .....................62
Overheating, Engine ........................342
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...........5,532
Paddle Shifters ............................238
Paddle Shift Mode ..........................238
Paint Care ............................... .413Panic Alarm
...............................20
Parking Brake ............................ .227
ParkSense System, Rear ..................... .267
Passing Light ..............................67
Passive Entry ..............................37
Performance ............................. .486
Personalized Main Menu .....................437
Pets ................................... .213
Placard, Tire And Loading Information ...........395
Power Brakes ............................... .422
Deck Lid Release .........................98
Distribution Center (Fuses) ..................317
Door Locks ..............................
36
Mirrors ................................62
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ............112
Seats ..................................45
Steering ...............................242
Sunroof ................................94
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column ..............58
Windows ...............................91
Power Seats Forward ................................45
Lumbar ................................46
Rearward ...............................45
12
INDEX 543