242SAFETY  
(Continued)
PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD 
M
AKE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Tires 
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven 
wear patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or 
other objects lodged in the tread or sidewall. 
Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect 
sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges. Check the 
lug nut/bolt torque for tightness. Check the tires 
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights     
Have someone observe the operation of brake 
lights and exterior lights while you work the 
controls. Check turn signal and high beam 
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches 
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks  
Check area under the vehicle after overnight 
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. 
Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel or 
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should 
be located and corrected immediately.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the 
driver’s side floor area. To check for interfer -
ence, with the vehicle properly parked with the 
engine off, fully depress the accelerator, the 
brake, and the clutch pedal (if present) to 
check for interference. If your floor mat inter -
feres with the operation of any pedal, or is not 
secure to the floor, remove the floor mat from 
the vehicle and place the floor mat in your 
trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on 
the passenger’s side floor area.
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide 
into the driver’s side floor area when the 
vehicle is moving. Objects can become 
trapped under accelerator, brake, or clutch 
pedals and could cause a loss of vehicle 
control.
WARNING!
NEVER place any objects under the floor mat 
(e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects could 
change the position of the floor mat and may 
cause interference with the accelerator, 
brake, or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed and 
re-installed, always properly attach carpet to 
the floor and check the floor mat fasteners are 
secure to the vehicle carpet. Fully depress 
each pedal to check for interference with the 
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals then 
re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap and 
water to clean your floor mats. After cleaning, 
always check your floor mat has been properly 
installed and is secured to your vehicle using 
the floor mat fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
WARNING!
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252IN CASE OF EMERGENCY  
NOTE:
For vehicles equipped, do not attempt to 
install a center cap or wheel cover on the 
compact spare.
For additional warnings, cautions, and infor -
mation about the spare tire, its use, and 
operation  Ú page 298.
9. Install and lightly tighten the wheel bolts.
10. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the  jack handle counterclockwise.
11. Finish tightening the wheel bolts. Push down  on the wrench while at the end of the handle 
for increased leverage. Tighten the wheel bolts 
in a star pattern until each wheel bolt has been 
tightened twice   Úpage 319. If in doubt about 
the correct tightness, have them checked with 
a torque wrench by an authorized dealer or at 
a service station. 12. Lower the jack until it is free. Remove the 
wheel blocks. Reassemble the lug wrench to 
the jack assembly and stow it in the spare tire 
area. Secure the assembly using the means 
provided. Release the parking brake before 
driving the vehicle.
Damaged Tire Stowage
13. After 25 miles (40 km), check the wheel bolt  torque with a torque wrench to ensure that all 
wheel bolts are properly seated against the 
wheel. 14. Place the jack on the foam tray and open it far 
enough so that it is secured. Once placed in 
position, rotate it clockwise to lock it in. 
Replace the alignment pin in the center hole to 
lock the jack in place.
TIRE SERVICE KIT — IF EQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Tire Service 
Kit. Small punctures up to 1/4 inch (6 mm) in the 
tire tread can be sealed with Tire Service Kit. 
Foreign objects (e.g., screws or nails) should not be 
removed from the tire. Tire Service Kit can be used 
in outside temperatures down to approximately 
-4°F (-20°C). This kit will provide a temporary tire 
seal, allowing you to drive your vehicle up to 
100 miles (160 km) with a maximum speed of 
50 mph (80 km/h).
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the 
jack, do not tighten the wheel nuts fully until the 
vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow this 
warning may result in serious injury.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision 
or hard stop could endanger the occupants of 
the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the 
spare tire in the places provided. Have the 
deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced 
immediately.
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320TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS  
Wheel Mounting Surface
Tighten the lug nuts/bolts in a star pattern until 
each nut/bolt has been tightened twice. Ensure 
that the socket is fully engaged on the lug nut/bolt 
(do not insert it halfway).
Torque Patterns
 After 25 miles (40 km), check the lug nut/bolt 
torque to be sure that all the lug nuts/bolts are 
properly tightened.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS  
While operating on gasoline with the required 
octane number, hearing a light knocking sound 
from the engine is not a cause for concern. 
However, if the engine is heard making a heavy 
knocking sound, see a dealer immediately. Use of 
gasoline with a lower than recommended octane 
number can cause engine failure and may void or 
not be covered by the New Vehicle Limited 
Warranty.
2.4L ENGINE
This engine is designed to meet all 
emission regulations and provide 
excellent fuel economy and performance 
when using high quality unleaded regular 
gasoline having a octane rating of 87 using the 
(R+M)/2 method. The use of premium gasoline is 
not recommended, as it will not provide any benefit 
over regular gasoline in these engines.
REFORMULATED GASOLINE   
Many areas of the country require the use of 
cleaner-burning gasoline referred to as 
“reformulated gasoline”. Reformulated gasoline 
contains oxygenates and are specifically blended 
to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air 
quality.
The use of reformulated gasoline is recommended. 
Properly blended reformulated gasoline will 
provide improved performance and durability of 
engine and fuel system components.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the 
jack, do not tighten the lug nuts/bolts fully until 
the vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow 
this warning may result in personal injury.
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