WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
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 stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.
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)
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.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
DRIVE/SECOND GEAR and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train 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).
218 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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 interrupt the ignition when the transmission is in
gear and the vehicle is in motion.
• Do not try to start the vehicle by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any ignition components
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough idle
or malfunctioning operating conditions.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.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where appli-
cable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or rusty in
appearance, the system should be drained, flushed and
refilled with fresh engine coolant (antifreeze). Check the
front of the A/C condenser for any accumulation of bugs,
242 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.
258 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light..........88
Emergency, In Case Of Hazard Warning Flasher ...................196
Jacking ............................... .250
Jump Starting .......................... .213
Towing ............................... .219
Emission Control System Maintenance ............97
Engine Air Cleaner ............................ .234
Break-In Recommendations .................163
Checking Oil Level ...................... .230
Compartment .......................... .229
Cooling .............................. .242
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................154, 285
Fails To Start ........................... .162
Flooded, Starting ........................ .162
Fuel Requirements ....................282, 287
Oil .............................. .232, 286
Oil Filler Cap .......................... .233
Oil Filter .............................. .234
Oil Reset ...............................84
Oil Selection ........................ .232, 287
Oil Synthetic ........................... .233
Overheating ........................... .216
Starting .............................. .161Enhanced Accident Response Feature
.........133, 221
Ethanol ................................. .283
Exhaust Gas Cautions ....................154, 285
Exhaust System ....................... .154, 241
Exterior Lighting ............................37
Exterior Lights ...................... .37, 157, 196
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .234
Air Conditioning ..................... .57, 236
Engine Fuel ........................... .287
Engine Oil ............................ .234
Engine Oil Disposal ...................... .234
Flashers Turn Signals ...................... .37,
95, 157
Flash-To-Pass ..............................37
Flooded Engine Starting ..................... .162
Fluid, Brake ............................. .288
Fluid Capacities ........................... .286
Fluid Leaks .............................. .157
Fluid Level Checks Brake ................................ .247
Engine Oil ............................ .230
Fluids .................................. .287
Fluids And Lubricants ...................... .287
12
INDEX 319
Filter Disposal.......................... .234
Identification Logo ...................... .233
Materials Added To ...................... .234
Pressure Warning Light .....................89
Recommendation .....................232, 286
Synthetic ............................. .233
Viscosity .............................. .233
Oil Filter, Change ......................... .234
Oil Filter, Selection ......................... .234
Oil Pressure Light ...........................89
Oil Reset .................................84
Onboard Diagnostic System ....................96
Operating Precautions ........................96
Operator Manual Owner’s Manual .......................5,314
Outlet Power .................................69
Outside Rearview Mirrors .....................34
Overheating, Engine ....................... .216
Owner ’s Manual (Operator Manual) ...............5
Paint Care ............................... .273
Parking Brake ............................ .163
Passing Light ..............................38
Pets ................................... .153Placard, Tire And Loading Information
...........254
Power Brakes ............................... .280
Convertible Top ..........................17
Door Locks ..............................25
Mirrors ................................36
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .............69
Steering .............................. .176
Sunroof ................................59
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts ................120
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................. .121
Radial Ply Tires ........................... .260
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .............245
Radio Frequency General Information .....................19, 22
Radio Operation .......................... .302
Rear Camera ............................. .185
Recreational Towing ........................ .190
Reformulated
Gasoline...................... .283
Refrigerant ........................... .235, 236
Release, Hood ..............................64
Reminder, Lights On .........................37
Reminder, Seat Belt .........................11412
INDEX 323