6
JUMP STARTING .................................................. 246 Preparations For Jump Start......................... 247Jump Starting Procedure .............................. 247
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ........................... 248
MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8–SPEED
TRANSMISSION .................................................. 249
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............................. 250
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE .......................... 252 Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Models.................. 253
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) .................................................................. 253
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ......................... 253
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................................... 254
3.6L And 5.7L Engines ................................. 254
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................................... 259
3.6L Engine ................................................... 2595.7L Engine ................................................... 260Checking Oil Level ......................................... 261
Adding Washer Fluid ................................... 261Maintenance-Free Battery ........................... 262
Pressure Washing ......................................... 262 VEHICLE MAINTENANCE..................................... 263
Engine Oil ...................................................... 263
Engine Oil Filter ........................................... 265Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............................ 265
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..................... 266
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ................... 267Body Lubrication ......................................... 268
Windshield Wiper Blades ............................ 268
Exhaust System ............................................. 270Cooling System ............................................ 271
Brake System ............................................... 274
Clutch Hydraulic System — Manual
Transmission (If Equipped)........................... 275Manual Transmission — If Equipped............ 275
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ....... 275
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped .......... 276
Rear Axle ........................................................ 276Fuses.............................................................. 277
Bulb Replacement ........................................ 286
TIRES..................................................................... 290
Tire Safety Information ................................ 290Tires — General Information ........................ 297
Tire Types....................................................... 301
Spare Tires — If Equipped ............................ 301
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ........................ 303
Snow Traction Devices ................................. 304
Tire Rotation Recommendations ................. 306 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES .................... 306
Treadwear...................................................... 307
Traction Grades ............................................. 307Temperature Grades..................................... 307
VEHICLE STORAGE ............................................ 307
BODYWORK .......................................................... 308
Protection From Atmospheric Agents ........ 308Body And Underbody Maintenance ............. 308
Preserving The Bodywork ............................. 308
INTERIORS ........................................................... 309
Seats And Fabric Parts ................................. 309
Plastic And Coated Parts .............................. 309
Leather Surfaces........................................... 310
Glass Surfaces ............................................. 310
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) ........ 311
BRAKE SYSTEM .................................................. 311
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS ................................................. 311Torque Specifications ................................... 311
22_LA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 6
82 (Continued)
STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat,
adjust the inside and outside mirrors, fasten your
seat belt, and if present, instruct all other
occupants to buckle their seat belts.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
Apply the parking brake, place the gear selector in
NEUTRAL and press the clutch pedal before
starting vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a
clutch interlocking ignition system. It will not start
unless the clutch pedal is pressed to the floor.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION —
I
F EQUIPPED
The gear selector must be in the PARK position
before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
Tip Start Feature — Automatic
Transmission
Place the ignition in the START position and
release it as the starter engages. The starter motor
will automatically disengage itself once engine is
running. If the engine fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this
occurs:
1. Place the ignition in the OFF position.
2. Wait 10 to 15 seconds.
3. Repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
WARNING!
When exiting the vehicle, always make sure
the ignition is in OFF position, remove the key
fob from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving chil -
dren in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for
a number of reasons. A child or others could
be seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children), and do
not leave the ignition (of a vehicle equipped
with Keyless Enter ‘n Go™) in the ACC or ON/
RUN position. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat buildup
may cause serious injury or death.
WARNING!CAUTION!
Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above
idle speed.
Before shifting into any gear, make sure your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
22_LA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 82
STARTING AND OPERATING83
NORMAL STARTING
To Turn On The Engine Using The ENGINE
START/STOP Button — Manual
Transmission Only
1. Press and hold the clutch pedal while pushing
and holding the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. Release the ENGINE START/STOP button when the engine starts. If the vehicle fails to
start within 10 seconds, release the ENGINE
START/STOP button, wait 10 to 15 seconds,
then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
3. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, release the
ENGINE START/STOP button.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accel -
erator pedal.
To Turn On The Engine Using The ENGINE
START/STOP Button — Automatic
Transmission Only
1. The transmission must be in PARK.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically after 10 seconds. 4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine
prior to the engine starting, push the ENGINE
START/STOP button again.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or pressing the accel -
erator pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine The Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button — Manual
Transmission Only
1. With the vehicle stopped, place the gear selector in NEUTRAL, then push and release
the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition will return to the OFF position.
3. Place the gear selector in FIRST gear or REVERSE and then apply the parking brake.
NOTE:
If the ignition switch is left in the ACC position,
the system will automatically time out after
30 minutes of inactivity and the ignition will
switch to the OFF position.
If the ignition switch is left in the RUN position,
the system will automatically time out after
30 minutes of inactivity if the vehicle speed is
0 mph (0 km/h) and the engine is not running.
If the vehicle speed is above 5 mph (8 km/h),
the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held
for two seconds or three short pushes in a row
before the engine will shut off. The ignition
switch position will remain in the ACC position
until the vehicle is stopped, placed in park and
the button is pushed twice to the OFF position.
To Turn Off The Engine Using The ENGINE
START/STOP Button — Automatic
Transmission Only
1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition will return to the OFF position.
3. If the gear selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short pushes in a row with
the vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine will shut off. The ignition will
remain in the ACC position until the gear
selector is in PARK and the button is pushed
twice to the OFF position. If the gear selector is
not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP
button is pushed once, the instrument cluster
will display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message
and the engine will remain running. Never
leave a vehicle out of the PARK position, or it
could roll.4
22_LA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 83
86STARTING AND OPERATING
COLD WEATHER OPERATION
(B
ELOW –22°F OR −30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures,
use of an externally powered electric engine block
heater (available from an authorized dealer) is
recommended.
AFTER STARTING
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it
will decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the
cord to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical
outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at
least one hour to have an adequate warming effect
on the engine.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the
hood on the driver side of the vehicle. It has a
removable cap that is located near the air box.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS —
3.6L & 5.7L
A long break-in period is not required for the
drivetrain (engine, transmission, clutch, and rear
axle) in your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles
(500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km),
speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are
desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within
the limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good
break-in. However, wide-open throttle acceleration
in low gear can be detrimental and should be
avoided.
The engine oil, transmission fluid, and axle
lubricant installed at the factory are high-quality
and energy-conserving. Oil, fluid, and lubricant
changes should be consistent with anticipated
climate and conditions under which vehicle
operations will occur. For the recommended
viscosity and quality grades Ú page 316.
NOTE:A new engine may consume some oil during its first
few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in
and not interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
Please check your oil level with the engine oil indi -
cator often during the break in period. Add oil as
required.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the
parking brake is fully applied and place the gear
selector in the PARK or REVERSE (manual
transmission only) position.
When the parking brake is applied and the ignition
switch is in the ON/RUN position, the Brake
Warning Light in the instrument cluster will
illuminate.
NOTE:
When the parking brake is applied and the
transmission is placed in gear, the Brake
Warning Light will flash. If vehicle speed is
detected, a chime will sound to alert the driver.
Fully release the parking brake before
attempting to move the vehicle.
This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake
application.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block
heater cord before driving. Damage to the
110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral
Oil in the engine or damage may result.
22_LA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 86
88STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NOTE:During cold weather, you may experience
increased effort in shifting until the transmission
fluid warms up. This is normal.
Manual Gear Selector
SHIFTING
Fully press the clutch pedal and lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal before shifting gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the
accelerator pedal. Damage to the transmission or
clutch may occur if you do not fully press the clutch
pedal and lift off of the accelerator pedal when
shifting.
Shift Pattern
The 6-speed manual transmission has a spring
that centers the gear selector near THIRD and
FOURTH gear. This spring helps you know which
gear you are in when you are shifting. Be careful
when shifting from FIRST to SECOND or
downshifting from SIXTH to FIFTH.
CAUTION!
If the Brake Warning Light remains on with the
parking brake released, a brake system
malfunction is indicated. Have the brake system
serviced by an authorized dealer immediately.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should
always be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
CAUTION!
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal, or try to hold the vehicle on a hill with
the clutch pedal partially engaged, as this will
cause abnormal wear on the clutch
Ú page 189.
Failure to press the clutch pedal fully to the
floor may cause increased shift efforts, and
may result in damage to the clutch and trans -
mission.
Do not rest your hand on the gear selector
while driving, as this may result in transmis -
sion synchronizer damage.
Do not attempt to shift the transmission if the
rear wheels are spinning due to loss of trac -
tion. Damage to the transmission may occur.
CAUTION!
22_LA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 88
STARTING AND OPERATING89
The spring will try to pull the gear selector toward
THIRD and FOURTH gear. Make sure you move the
gear selector into SECOND or FIFTH gear. If you let
the gear selector move in the direction of the
pulling, you may end shifting from FIRST to
FOURTH or from SIXTH to THIRD gear. You must always use FIRST gear (or REVERSE)
when starting from a standing position.
RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS
To utilize your manual transmission efficiently for
fuel economy, it should be upshifted as listed in
recommended shift speed chart.
Earlier upshifts during cruise conditions (relatively
steady speeds) may result in increased fuel
economy.
Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a
desired acceleration rate.
NOTE:
Your vehicle is equipped with a transmission
reverse inhibitor system. Always depress the
clutch pedal fully to the floor before shifting into
REVERSE. When vehicle speed is greater than
3 mph (5 km/h), the reverse inhibitor activates
to help prevent shifts into REVERSE. When at a
complete stop, you may notice lighter shift
efforts into REVERSE with the ignition switch in
the ON position (RUN position for Keyless Enter ‘n Go™), as compared to the igni
-
tion LOCK position (OFF position for Keyless
Enter ‘n Go™). This is normal operation of the
transmission reverse inhibitor system.
Due to the high performance nature of your
drivetrain, you may hear your transmission. This
can be most noticeable when the vehicle is
idling in NEUTRAL with the clutch engaged
(clutch pedal released), but it may also be heard
when driving at low engine RPM. Also, this may
be more noticeable when the transmission is
warm. This is a normal condition and is not an
indication of a problem with your clutch or trans -
mission.
1–4 SKIP SHIFT
In Auto Drive Mode, Default, or Street Drive Modes,
there are times when you must shift the
transmission directly from FIRST gear to FOURTH
gear instead of from FIRST gear to SECOND gear.
This is to help you get the best possible fuel
economy from your vehicle. This occurs when the
engine coolant (antifreeze) is higher than 106°F
(41°C), vehicle speed is greater than 19 mph
(30 km/h) but less than 21 mph (34 km/h), and
the transmission is in FIRST gear, and the
accelerator is at ¼ throttle or less.
After you shift the transmission to FOURTH gear,
you can press the clutch in and shift to another
forward gear.
CAUTION!
Always make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting into REVERSE.
Failure to do so may result in transmission
damage.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS
Axle Ratio 1-44-55-6
3.90 mph
203748
km/h 3259774
22_LA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 89
90STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
(Continued)
DOWNSHIFTING
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life,
downshift to maintain a safe speed when
descending a steep grade.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED
You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
Skipping more than one gear while downshifting,
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
You could have a collision.
CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while down -
shifting or downshift at too high an engine
speed, you could damage the engine, trans -
mission, or clutch.
Do not downshift into FIRST gear when the
vehicle is moving faster than 15 mph (24 km/
h), as you could damage the engine and/or
clutch.
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substitute
for the parking brake. Always apply the
parking brake fully when exiting the vehicle to
guard against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.
Your vehicle could move and injure you and
others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to
move the transmission gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released. Make
sure the transmission is in PARK before
exiting the vehicle.
The transmission may not engage PARK if the
vehicle is moving. Always bring the vehicle to a
complete stop before shifting to PARK, and
verify that the transmission gear position indi -
cator solidly indicates PARK (P) without
blinking. Ensure that the vehicle is completely
stopped, and the PARK position is properly
indicated, before exiting the vehicle.
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all
vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while
the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle,
always come to a complete stop, then apply
the parking brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, and turn the ignition OFF. When the
ignition is in the OFF position, the transmis -
sion is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
When exiting the vehicle, always make sure
the ignition is in the OFF position, remove the
key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
WARNING!
22_LA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 90
94STARTING AND OPERATING
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. Apply
the parking brake and shift the transmission into
PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
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 AutoStick shift control to select a lower gear
Ú
page 95. Under these conditions, using a lower
gear will improve performance and extend
transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat buildup.
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 is inhibited until the transmission fluid is
warm. Normal operation will resume once the
transmission temperature has risen to a suitable
level.
MANUAL (M)
The MANUAL (M, +/-) position (beside the DRIVE
position) enables full manual control of
transmission shifting (also known as AutoStick
mode Ú page 95. Toggling the gear selector
forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the MANUAL
(AutoStick) position will manually select the
transmission gear, and will display the current gear
in the instrument cluster as M1, M2, M3, etc.
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
certain gears, or may not shift at all. Vehicle
performance may be severely degraded and the
engine may stall. In some situations, the
transmission may not re-engage if the engine is
turned off and restarted. The Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) may be illuminated. A message in the
instrument cluster will inform the driver of the
more serious conditions, and indicate what actions
may be necessary.
In the event of a momentary problem, the
transmission can be reset to regain all forward
gears by performing the following steps:
NOTE:In cases where the instrument cluster message
indicates the transmission may not re-engage after
engine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a
desired location (preferably, at an authorized
dealer).
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3. Push and hold the ignition switch until the engine turns off.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing
traffic or road conditions. You might lose control
of the vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any
other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL
can cause severe transmission damage.
For Recreational Towing Ú page 120.
For Towing A Disabled Vehicle Ú page 252.
22_LA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 94