
50GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL  
If the light remains on when the parking brake 
has been disengaged, and the fluid level is at 
the full mark on the master cylinder reservoir, it 
indicates a possible brake hydraulic system 
malfunction or that a problem with the Brake 
Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock 
Brake System (ABS) / Electronic Stability 
Control (ESC) system. In this case, the light will 
remain on until the condition has been 
corrected. If the problem is related to the brake 
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying 
the brake, and a brake pedal pulsation may be 
felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve 
braking capacity in the event of a failure to a 
portion of the hydraulic system. A leak in either 
half of the dual brake system is indicated by the 
Brake Warning Light, which will turn on when 
the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has 
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is 
corrected. NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp 
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level 
conditions. The vehicle should have service 
performed, and the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is 
necessary.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake 
System (ABS) are also equipped with Electronic 
Brake Force Distribution (EBD). In the event of 
an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light will turn 
on along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair to 
the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be 
checked by turning the ignition switch from the 
OFF position to the ON/RUN position. The light 
should illuminate for approximately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless 
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is 
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have 
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking 
brake is applied with the ignition switch in the 
ON/RUN position.
NOTE:
This light shows only that the parking brake is 
applied. It does not show the degree of brake 
application.
Battery Charge Warning Light  
This warning light will illuminate when 
the battery is not charging properly. If 
it stays on while the engine is running, 
there may be a malfunction with the 
charging system. Contact an authorized dealer 
as soon as possible. This indicates a possible 
problem with the electrical system or a related 
component.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is 
dangerous. Part of the brake system may 
have failed. It will take longer to stop the 
vehicle. You could have a collision. Have the 
vehicle checked immediately.
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 50   

206IN CASE OF EMERGENCY  
See below steps to prepare for jump starting:
1. Apply the parking brake, shift the 
automatic transmission into PARK (P) and 
turn the ignition to STOP.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all electrical  accessories.
3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the  battery, park the vehicle within the jumper 
cables reach, apply the parking brake and 
make sure the ignition is OFF.
Jump Starting Procedure
Jumper Cable Connections
Connecting The Jumper Cables
1. Connect the positive 
 (+) end of the jumper 
cable to the positive (+)
  post of the 
discharged vehicle.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive  (+) 
jumper cable to the positive  (+) post of the 
booster battery.
3. Connect the negative  (-) end of the jumper 
cable to the negative  (-) post of the booster 
battery. 4. Connect the opposite end of the negative 
(-) 
jumper cable to a good engine ground 
(exposed metal part of the discharged 
vehicle’s engine) away from the battery and 
the fuel injection system.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the  booster battery, let the engine idle a few 
minutes, and then start the engine in the 
vehicle with the discharged battery.
6. Once the engine is started, follow the  disconnecting procedure below.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as 
this could establish a ground connection and 
personal injury could result.
WARNING!
Failure to follow this jump starting procedure 
could result in personal injury or property 
damage due to battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could 
result in damage to the charging system of 
the booster vehicle or the discharged vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not connect the jumper cable to the 
negative (-) post of the discharged battery. 
The resulting electrical spark could cause the 
battery to explode and could result in 
personal injury. Only use the specific ground 
point, do not use any other exposed metal 
parts.
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 206   

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY207
Disconnecting The Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the negative 
(-)
  end of the 
jumper cable from the engine ground of 
the vehicle with the discharged battery.
2. Disconnect the opposite end of the  negative  (-) jumper cable from the 
negative  (-) post of the booster battery.
3. Disconnect the positive  (+) end of the 
jumper cable from the positive  (+) post of 
the booster battery.
4. Disconnect the opposite end of the  positive  (+) jumper cable from the 
positive  (+) post of the vehicle with the 
discharged battery.
If frequent jump starting is required to start your 
vehicle you should have the battery and 
charging system inspected at an authorized 
dealer.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS 
If the vehicle is overheating, it will need to be 
serviced by an authorized dealer.
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 trans -
mission in NEUTRAL (N), 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.
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.
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.7
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 207   

266  
INDEX
A
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)............... 228Additives, Fuel............................................... 257Advance Phone Connectivity......................... 118Air BagAir Bag Operation...................................... 163Driver Knee Air Bag................................... 164Enhanced Accident Response......... 168, 212Event Data Recorder (EDR)....................... 212Front Air Bag............................................. 162If Deployment Occurs................................ 167Knee Impact Bolsters................................ 164Maintaining Your Air Bag System.............. 169Maintenance............................................. 169Transporting Pets...................................... 184Air Bag Light........................................... 49, 186Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner
Filter)............................................................. 224Air Conditioner Maintenance......................... 225Air Conditioner Refrigerant............................ 225Air Conditioner System.................................. 225Air Conditioning Filter...................................... 34Air Conditioning, Operating Tips................ 33, 34Air Filter......................................................... 224
Air PressureTires......................................................... 242AlarmSecurity Alarm............................................. 13Alterations/ModificationsVehicle........................................................... 8Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)................. 228, 259Disposal................................................... 229Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)...................... 145Anti-Lock Warning Light................................... 52Assist, Hill Start............................................. 148Audio Settings............................................... 105Audio Systems (Radio)..................................... 86Auto Down Power Windows............................. 35Automatic Transmission........................... 62, 63Adding Fluid..................................... 232, 261Fluid And Filter Change............................ 232Fluid Change............................................ 232Fluid Level Check............................ 231, 232Fluid Type........................................ 231, 261Special Additives...................................... 232Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet).......... 40Axle Fluid...................................................... 261
B
Battery................................................... 50, 222Charging System Light.................................50Keyless Key Fob Replacement....................11Belts, Seat.................................................... 185BluetoothConnecting To A Particular Mobile Phone Or Audio Device After Pairing
................ 114Body Builders Guide........................................... 7Body Mechanism Lubrication........................ 225B-Pillar Location............................................ 239Brake Assist System..................................... 146Brake Fluid.................................................... 261Brake System....................................... 230, 255Anti-Lock (ABS)......................................... 145Fluid Check...................................... 231, 261Master Cylinder........................................ 231Parking........................................................60Warning Light...............................................49Brake, Parking.................................................60Brake/Transmission Interlock..........................63Bulb Replacement........................................ 213Bulbs, Light.......................................... 187, 213
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 266