
20GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE  
Folding Rear Seat — If Equipped
To provide additional storage area, each rear 
seat can be folded flat to allow for extended 
cargo space.
1. Locate the release lever (upper outboard 
side of seat), and lift it upward until the 
seatback releases.
Seatback Release Lever
2. Slowly fold down the seatback.
3. Pull forward on the lower release lever  located on the lower outboard side of seat 
and lift the seat for extended cargo space.
 Seat Release Lever
Extended Cargo Space
4. Reverse order for original setting.
Heated Seats — If Equipped
The controls for the front heated seats are 
located on the lower outboard side of the seat.
Heated Seat Control Button
Push the switch once to turn on the heated 
seats. The LED on the switch illuminates when 
the heated seat is on. Push the switch a second 
time to shut the heating elements off.
NOTE:
This feature is only available with the ignition 
key in MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position.
Once a heat setting is selected, heat will be 
felt within two to five minutes.
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 20   

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE33
Bi-Level Mode
Air comes from the instrument panel 
outlets and floor outlets. A slight 
amount of air is directed through the 
defrost and side window demister 
outlets.
NOTE:
Bi-Level mode is designed under comfort condi -
tions to provide cooler air out of the panel 
outlets and warmer air from the floor outlets.
Floor Mode
Air comes from the floor outlets. A 
slight amount of air is directed 
through the defrost and side window 
demister outlets.
Mix Mode
Air is directed through the floor, 
defrost, and side window demister 
outlets. This setting works best in cold 
or snowy conditions that require extra 
heat to the windshield. This setting is good for 
maintaining comfort while reducing moisture on 
the windshield.
Operating Tips
NOTE:
Refer to the chart at the end of this section for 
suggested control settings for various weather 
conditions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected 
with a high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide 
proper corrosion protection and to protect 
against engine overheating. OAT coolant 
(conforming to MS.90032) is recommended  
Ú page 259.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and 
defroster performance, make sure the engine 
cooling system is functioning properly and the 
proper amount, type, and concentration of 
coolant is used  Ú page 259. Use of the Air 
Recirculation mode during Winter months is not 
recommended because it may cause window 
fogging.
Vacation/Storage  
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of 
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, 
run the air conditioning system at idle for about 
five minutes in fresh air with the blower setting 
on high. This will ensure adequate system 
lubrication to minimize the possibility of 
compressor damage when the system is started 
again.
Window Fogging  
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside of the 
glass in mild, rainy and/or humid weather. To 
clear the windows, select Defrost or Mix mode 
and increase the front blower speed. Do not use 
the Recirculation mode without A/C for long 
periods, as fogging may occur.
2
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 33   

34GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE  
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in 
front of the windshield, is free of obstructions, 
such as leaves. Leaves collected in the air 
intake may reduce airflow, and if they enter the 
air distribution box, they could plug the water 
drains. In Winter months, make sure the air 
intake is clear of ice, slush, and snow.
Cabin Air Filter  
The Climate Control system filters out dust and 
pollen from the air. Contact an authorized 
dealer to service your cabin air filter, and to 
have it replaced when needed.
Operating Tips Chart
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause 
damage to the heating elements:
Use care when washing the inside of the 
rear window. Do not use abrasive window 
cleaners on the interior surface of the 
window. Use a soft cloth and a mild 
washing solution, wiping parallel to the 
heating elements. Labels can be peeled off 
after soaking with warm water.
Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or 
abrasive window cleaners on the interior 
surface of the window.
Keep all objects a safe distance from the 
window.
WEATHERCONTROL 
SETTINGS
Hot Weather And 
Vehicle Interior Is Very  Hot Set the mode control 
to  (Panel Mode),  (A/C) on, and 
blower on high. Roll 
down the windows for  a minute to flush out 
the hot air. Adjust the 
controls as needed to  achieve comfort.
Warm Weather Turn   (A/C) on and 
set the mode control  to the   (Panel Mode) position.
Cool Sunny Operate in 
(Bi-Level Mode)  position.
Cool & Humid Conditions Set the mode control 
to  (Mix Mode) 
position and turn on   (A/C) to keep 
windows clear.
Cold Weather Set the mode control 
to the  (Floor Mode)  position. If windshield  fogging starts to occur, move the 
control to the  (Mix  Mode) position.
WEATHER CONTROL 
SETTINGS
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 34   

66STARTING AND OPERATING  
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and 
highway driving. It provides the smoothest 
upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel 
economy. The transmission automatically 
upshifts through all forward gears.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs 
(such as when operating the vehicle under 
heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, 
traveling into strong head winds, or while towing 
a heavy trailer), use the Electronic Range Select 
(ERS) shift control to select a lower gear range  
Úpage 67. Under these conditions, using a 
lower gear range will improve performance and 
extend transmission life by reducing excessive 
shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds 
normal operating limits, the transmission 
controller may modify the transmission shift 
schedule, reduce engine torque, and/or expand 
the range of torque converter clutch 
engagement. This is done to prevent 
transmission damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot, the 
“Transmission Temperature Warning Light” may 
illuminate and the transmission may operate 
differently until the transmission cools down. During cold temperatures, transmission 
operation may be modified depending on 
engine and transmission temperature as well 
as vehicle speed. This feature improves warm 
up time of the engine and transmission to 
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of 
the torque converter clutch, and shifts into 
8th or 9th gear, are inhibited until the 
transmission fluid is warm  Ú
page 67. Normal 
operation will resume once the transmission 
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored 
electronically for abnormal conditions. If a 
condition is detected that could result in 
transmission damage, Transmission Limp 
Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the 
transmission may operate only in a fixed gear, 
or may remain in NEUTRAL. The Malfunction 
Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp 
Home Mode may allow the vehicle to be driven 
to an authorized dealer for service without 
damaging the transmission. In the event of a momentary problem, the 
transmission can be reset to regain all forward 
gears by performing the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition OFF.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the 
problem is no longer detected, the 
transmission will return to normal 
operation.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we 
recommend that you visit an authorized dealer 
at your earliest possible convenience. An autho -
rized dealer has diagnostic equipment to 
assess the condition of your transmission. If the 
transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer 
service is required.
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 66   

SAFETY185
SAFETY TIPS   
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE 
CARGO AREA.
Exhaust Gas    
The best protection against carbon monoxide 
entry into the vehicle body is a properly 
maintained engine exhaust system. Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of 
the exhaust system, when exhaust fumes can 
be detected inside the vehicle, or when the 
underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged, 
have an authorized dealer inspect the complete 
exhaust system and adjacent body areas for 
broken, damaged, deteriorated, or 
mispositioned parts. Open seams or loose 
connections could permit exhaust fumes to 
seep into the passenger compartment. In 
addition, inspect the exhaust system each time 
the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil 
change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The 
Vehicle 
Seat Belts  
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, 
checking for cuts, frays, and loose parts. 
Damaged parts must be replaced immediately. 
Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced 
after a collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must 
be replaced after a collision if they have been 
damaged (i.e., bent retractor, torn webbing, 
etc.). If there is any question regarding seat belt 
or retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside 
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior 
heat build-up may cause serious injury or 
death.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo 
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a 
collision, people riding in these areas are 
more likely to be seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of 
your vehicle that is not equipped with seats 
and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat 
and using a seat belt properly.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain 
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and 
odorless. Breathing it can make you 
unconscious and can eventually poison you. 
To avoid breathing (CO), follow these safety 
tips:
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or 
in confined areas any longer than needed 
to move your vehicle in or out of the area.
If you are required to drive with the trunk/
liftgate/rear doors 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.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle 
with the engine running, adjust your 
heating or cooling controls to force outside 
air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high 
speed.
6
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 185   

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   

210IN CASE OF EMERGENCY  
NOTE:
Push the ESC OFF switch, to place the Electronic 
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Off 
mode, before rocking the vehicle  Ú page 146. 
Once the vehicle has been freed, push the ESC 
OFF switch again to restore ESC On mode.
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 for at least one minute after 
every five rocking-motion cycles. This will 
minimize overheating and reduce the risk of 
transmission failure during prolonged efforts 
to free a stuck vehicle.
CAUTION!
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 over -
heating and failure. It can also damage the 
tires. Do not spin the wheels above 30 mph 
(48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission 
shifting occurring).
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 210   

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE227
Under normal operating conditions, the 
catalytic converter will not require 
maintenance. However, it is important to keep 
the engine properly tuned to ensure proper 
catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst 
damage. NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control 
systems 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 trans
-
mission 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 malfunc -
tioning operating conditions.
Cooling System  CAUTION!
The catalytic converter requires the use of 
unleaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will 
destroy the effectiveness of the catalyst as 
an emissions control device and may seri -
ously reduce engine performance and 
cause serious damage to the engine.
Damage to the catalytic converter can 
result if your vehicle is not kept in proper 
operating condition. In the event of engine 
malfunction, particularly involving engine 
misfire or other apparent loss of perfor -
mance, have your vehicle serviced 
promptly. Continued operation of your 
vehicle with a severe malfunction could 
cause the converter to overheat, resulting 
in possible damage to the converter and 
vehicle.
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 automati -
cally and may start at any time, whether the 
engine is running or not.
When working near the radiator cooling fan, 
disconnect 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.
8
21_VM_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 227