2012 Dodge Caliber Owners Manual

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<< SEEK and SEEK >> buttons will select the previ- ous and next tracks. • RND button (available on sales code RES radio only): Pressing this button toggles between Shuffle ON and Shuffle OFF modes for the iPod威 or external USB device, or press the VR button and say ⬙Shuffle ON⬙ or ⬙Shuffle Off⬙. If theRND icon is showing on the radio display, then the shuffle mode is ON. List Or Browse Mode During Play mode, pressing any of the buttons described below, will bring up List mode. List mode enables scrolling through the list of menus and tracks on the audio device. • TUNE control knob: The TUNE control knob functions in a similar manner as the scroll wheel on the audio device or external USB device. • Turning it clockwise (forward) and counterclock- wise (backward) scrolls through the lists, displaying the track detail on the radio display. Once the track to be played is highlighted on the radio display, press the TUNE control knob to select and start playing the track. Turning the TUNE control knob fast will scroll through the list faster. During fast scroll, a slight delay in updating the information on the radio display may be noticeable. • During all List modes, the iPod威 displays all lists in “wrap-around” mode. So if the track is at the just turn the wheel backward bottom of the list, (counterclockwise) to get to the track faster. • In List mode, the radio PRESET buttons are used as shortcuts to the following lists on the iPod威 or external USB device. • Preset 1 – Playlists • Preset 2 – Artists • Preset 3 – Albums • Preset 4 – Genres • Preset 5 – Audiobooks • Preset 6 – Podcasts UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 275 • Pressing a PRESET button will display the current list on the top line and the first item in that list on the second line. • To exit List mode without selecting a track, press the same PRESET button again to go back to Play mode. • LIST button: The LIST button will display the top level menu of the iPod威 or external USB device. Turn the TUNE control knob to list the top-menu item to be selected and press the TUNE control knob. This will display the next sub-menu list item on the audio device, then follow the same steps to go to the desired track in that list. Not all iPod威 or external USB device sub-menu levels are available on this system. • MUSIC TYPE button: The MUSIC TYPE button is another shortcut button to the genre listing on your audio device. 276 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUTION! • Leaving the iPod威 or external USB device (or any supported device) anywhere in the vehicle in extreme heat or cold can alter the operation or damage the device. Follow the device manufactur- er’s guidelines. • Placing items on the iPod威 or external USB device, or connections to the iPod威 or external USB device in the vehicle, can cause damage to the device and/or to the connectors. WARNING! Do not plug in or remove the iPod威 or external USB device while driving. Failure to follow this warning could result in an accident. Bluetooth Streaming Audio (BTSA) Music can be streamed from your cellular phone to the Uconnect™ phone system. Controlling BTSA Using Radio Buttons To get into the BTSA mode, press either “AUX” button on the radio or press the VR button and say “Bluetooth Streaming Audio”. Play Mode When switched to BTSA mode, some audio devices can start playing music over the vehicle’s audio system, but some devices require the music to be initiated on the device first, then it will get streamed to the Uconnect™ phone system. Seven devices can be paired to the Uconnect™ phone system, but just one can be selected and played. the audio device or ask the Selecting Different Audio Device 1. Press PHONE button to begin. 2. After the ⬙Ready⬙ prompt and the following beep, say ⬙Setup⬙, then ⬙Select Audio Devices⬙. 3. Say the name of Uconnect™ phone system to list audio devices. Next Track Use the SEEK UP button, or press the VR button on the radio and say “Next Track” to jump to the next track music on your cellular phone. Previous Track Use the SEEK DOWN button, or press the VR button on the radio and say “Previous Track” to jump to the previous track music on your cellular phone. Browse Browsing is not available on a BTSA device. Only the current song that is playing will display info. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 277 STEERING WHEEL AUDIO CONTROLS — IF EQUIPPED The remote sound system controls are located on the rear surface of the steering wheel. Reach behind the wheel to access the switches. Remote Sound System Controls (Back View Of Steering Wheel) 278 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL The right-hand control is a rocker type switch with a pushbutton in the center. Pressing the top of the switch will increase the volume, and pressing the bottom of the switch will decrease the volume. The button located in the center of the right-hand control will switch modes to Radio or CD. The left-hand control is a rocker type switch with a pushbutton in the center. The function of the left-hand control is different depending on which mode you are in. The following describes the left-hand control operation in each mode. Radio Operation Press the top of the switch to SEEK up for the next listenable station. Press the bottom of the switch to SEEK down for the next listenable station. The button located in the center of the left-hand control will tune to the next preset station that you have pro- grammed in the radio preset pushbuttons. CD Player Press the top of the switch once to go to the next track on the CD. Press the bottom of the switch once to go to the beginning of the current track or to the beginning of the previous track, if it is within one second after the current track begins to play. If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the second track, three times, it will play the third, etc. The button in the center of the left-hand switch changes CD’s on the 6–Disc in-dash CD changer radio. This button does not function for all other radios. CD/DVD DISC MAINTENANCE To keep a CD/DVD in good condition, take the following precautions: 1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the surface. 2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth, wiping from center to edge. 3. Do not apply paper or tape to the disc; avoid scratch- ing the disc. 4. Do not use solvents such as benzene, thinner, cleaners, or anti-static sprays. 5. Store the disc in its case after playing. 6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight. 7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become too high. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 279 If you experience difficulty in playing a particu- NOTE: lar disc, it may be damaged (i.e., scratched, reflective coating removed, a hair, moisture or dew on the disc) oversized, or have protection encoding. Try a known good disc before considering disc player service. RADIO OPERATION AND MOBILE PHONES Under certain conditions, the mobile phone being on in your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy performance from your radio. This condition may be lessened or eliminated by relocating the mobile phone antenna. This condition is not harmful to the radio. If your radio performance does not satisfactorily “clear” by the repositioning of the antenna, it is recommended that the radio volume be turned down or off during mobile phone operation when not using Uconnect™ (if equipped). 280 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL CLIMATE CONTROLS The air conditioning and heating system is designed to make you comfortable in all types of weather. Manual Heating And Air Conditioning Blower Control Rotate this control to regulate the amount of air forced through the ven- tilation system in any mode. The blower speed increases as you move the control to the right from the “O” (OFF) position. There are seven blower speeds. NOTE: For vehicles equipped with Remote Start, the climate controls will not function during Remote Start operation if the blower control is left in the “O” (Off) position. The Manual Temperature Controls consist of a series of outer rotary dials and inner push knobs. Temperature Control Rotate this control to regulate the tem- perature of the air inside the passenger compartment. Rotating the dial left into the blue area of the scale indicates cooler temperatures, while rotating right into the red area indicates warmer temperatures. If your air conditioning performance seems NOTE: lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con- denser located in front of the radiator for an accumula- tion of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray from behind the radiator and through the condenser. Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce airflow to the condenser, reducing air conditioning performance. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 281 Mode Control (Air Direction) Rotate this control to choose from sev- eral patterns of air distribution. You can select either a primary mode as identified by the symbols on the con- trol, or a blend of two of these modes. The closer the setting is to a particular symbol, the more air distribution you receive from that mode. Panel Air is directed through the outlets in the instrument panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct airflow. NOTE: The center instrument panel outlets can be aimed so that they are directed toward the rear seat passengers for maximum airflow to the rear. Bi-Level Air is directed through the panel and floor outlets. 282 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL NOTE: For all settings, except full cold or full hot, there is a difference in temperature between the upper and lower outlets. The warmer air flows to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved comfort during sunny but cool conditions. Floor Air is directed through the floor outlets with a small amount flowing through the defrost and side window demist outlets. Mix Air is directed through the floor, defrost, and side window demist 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. Defrost Air is directed through the windshield and side window demist outlets. Use this mode with maxi- mum blower and temperature settings for best wind- shield and side window defrosting. NOTE: • The air conditioning compressor operates in Mix, Defrost, or a blend of these modes, even if the Air Conditioning (A/C) button is not pressed. This dehu- midifies the air to help dry the windshield. To improve fuel economy, use these modes only when necessary. • For information on operating the Rear Defrost, refer to “Rear Window Features” in “Understanding The Fea- tures Of Your Vehicle”. Recirculation Control Pressing the Recirculation Control button will put the system in recirculation mode. This can be used when outside conditions such as smoke, odors, dust, or high humidity are pres- ent. Activating recirculation will cause the LED in the control button to illuminate. NOTE: • Continuous use of the Recirculation mode may make the inside air stuffy and window fogging may occur. Extended use of this mode is not recommended. • The use of the Recirculation mode in cold or damp weather will cause windows to fog on the inside, because of moisture buildup inside the vehicle. Select the outside air position for maximum defogging. • The A/C will engage automatically to prevent fogging when the recirculation button is pressed and the mode control is set to panel or panel / floor. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 283 ing the mode control selection. • The A/C can be deselected manually without disturb- • When the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position, the recirculation feature will be cancelled. Air Conditioning Control Press this button to engage the Air Conditioning. A light will illuminate when the Air Conditioning system is engaged. Rotating the dial left into the blue area of the scale indicates cooler temperatures, while rotating right into the red area indicates warmer tem- peratures. NOTE: The air conditioning compressor will not engage until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds. 284 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL • MAX A/C For maximum cooling use the A/C and recirculation buttons at the same time. • ECONOMY MODE If economy mode is desired, press the A/C button to turn OFF the indicator light and the A/C compressor. Then, move the temperature control to the desired temperature. Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) — If Equipped The Automatic Temperature Control system automati- cally maintains the climate in the cabin of the vehicle at the comfort levels desired by the driver and passenger. Automatic Temperature Control Automatic Operation Operation of the system is quite simple. 1. Turn the Mode Control knob (on the right) and the Blower Control knob (on the left) to AUTO. NOTE: The AUTO position performs best for front seat occupants only. 2. Dial in the temperature you would like the system to maintain by rotating the Temperature Control knob. Once the comfort level is selected, the sys- tem will maintain that level automati- cally using the heating system. Should the desired comfort level require air conditioning, the system will automatically make the adjustment. You will experience the greatest efficiency by simply allowing the system to function automatically. Selecting the “O” (OFF) position on the blower control stops the system completely and closes the outside air intake. The recommended setting for maximum comfort for the average person is 72°F (22°C); however, this may vary. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 285 without affecting automatic operation. NOTE: • The temperature setting can be adjusted at anytime • Pressing the Air Conditioning Control button while in AUTO mode will cause the LED in the control button to flash three times and then turn off. This indicates that the system is in AUTO mode and requesting the air conditioning is not necessary. • If your air conditioning performance seems lower than expected, check the front of the A/C condenser located in front of the radiator for an accumulation of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray from behind the radiator and through the condenser. Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce airflow to the condenser, reducing air conditioning performance. 286 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL Blower Control For full automatic operation or for automatic blower operation, turn the knob to the AUTO position. In manual mode there are seven blower speeds that can be individual selected. In off position the blower will shut off. Manual Operation This system offers a full complement of manual override features, which consist of Blower Preferred Automatic, Mode Preferred Automatic, or Blower and Mode Pre- ferred Automatic. This means the operator can override the blower, the mode, or both. There is a manual blower range for times when the AUTO setting is not desired. The blower can be set to any fixed blower speed by rotating the Blower Control knob (on the left). NOTE: Please read the Automatic Temperature Control Operation Chart that follows for details. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 287 288 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL The operator can override the AUTO mode setting to change airflow distribution by rotating the Mode Control knob (on the right) to one of the following positions. • Panel Air is directed through the outlets in the instrument panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct airflow. NOTE: The center instrument panel outlets can be aimed so that they are directed toward the rear seat passengers for maximum airflow to the rear. • Bi-Level Air is directed through the panel and floor outlets. NOTE: For all settings, except full cold or full hot, there is a difference in temperature between the upper and lower outlets. The warmer air flows to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved comfort during sunny but cool conditions. Air is directed through the floor outlets with a small amount flowing through the defrost and side • Floor window demist outlets. • Mix Air is directed through the floor, defrost, and side window demist 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. • Defrost Air is directed through the windshield and side window demist outlets. Use this mode with maxi- mum blower and temperature settings for best wind- shield and side window defrosting. • Air Conditioner Control Press this button to turn on the air conditioning during manual operation only. When the air conditioning is turned on, cool dehumidified air will flow through the outlets selected with the Mode control dial. Press this but- ton a second time to turn OFF the air conditioning. An LED in the button illuminates when manual compressor operation is selected. • Recirculation Control The system will automatically control recircu- lation. However, pressing the Recirculation Control button will put the system in recircu- lation mode. This can be used when outside conditions such as smoke, odors, dust, or high humidity are present. Activating recirculation will cause the LED in the control button to illuminate. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 289 NOTE: • When the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position, the recirculation feature will be cancelled. • In cold weather, use of the Recirculation mode may lead to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation mode is not allowed in the floor, defrost, or defrost/ floor mode in order to improve window clearing. Recirculation will be disabled automatically if these modes are selected. • Extended use of recirculation may cause the windows to fog. If the interior of the windows begins to fog, press the Recirculation button to return to outside air. Some temp/humidity conditions will cause captured interior air to condense on windows and hamper visibility. For this reason, the system will not allow Recirculation to be selected while in floor, defrost, or 290 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL defrost/floor mode. Attempting to use the recircula- tion while in these modes will cause the LED in the control button to blink and then turn off. • Most of the time, when in Automatic Operation, you can temporarily put the system into Recirculation Mode by pressing the Recirculation button. However, under certain conditions, while in Automatic Mode, the system is blowing air out the defrost vents. When these conditions are present, and the Recirculation button is pressed, the indicator will flash and then turn off. This tells you that you are unable to go into Recirculation Mode at this time. If you would like the system to go into Recirculation Mode, you must first move the Mode knob to Panel, Bi-Level and then press the Recirculation button. This feature reduces the possibility of window fogging. Operating Tips NOTE: Refer to the chart at the end of this section for suggested control settings for various weather condi- tions. Summer Operation The engine cooling system in air-conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect against engine overheating. A solution of 50% ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant and 50% water is recommended. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper coolant selection. Winter Operation Use of the air Recirculation Mode during winter months is not recommended because it may cause window fogging. Vacation Storage Anytime 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 the fresh air and high blower settings. This will ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility of compressor damage when the system is started again. Window Fogging Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re- moved by turning the mode selector to Defrost. The Defrost/Floor mode can be used to maintain a clear windshield and provide sufficient heating. If side win- dow fogging becomes a problem, increase blower speed. Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild but rainy or humid weather. NOTE: Recirculate without A/C should not be used for long periods as fogging may occur. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 291 Side Window Demisters A side window demister outlet is located at each end of the instrument panel. These non-adjustable outlets direct air toward the side windows when the system is in the FLOOR, MIX, or DEFROST mode. The air is directed at the area of the windows through which you view the outside mirrors. 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 plenum, they could plug the water drains. In winter months, make sure the air intake is clear of ice, slush, and snow. 292 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL A/C Air Filter — If Equipped The A/C Filter prevents most dust and pollen from entering the cabin. The filter acts on air coming from outside the vehicle and recirculated air within the pas- senger compartment. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for A/C Air Filter service information or see your authorized dealer for service. Refer to “Maintenance Schedules” for filter service intervals. Control Setting Suggestions for Various Weather Conditions UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 293 STARTING AND OPERATING CONTENTS 䡵 Starting Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 ▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped . . . . . . . 299 ▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped . . . . . 299 ▫ Normal Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 ▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or ⫺29°C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 ▫ If Engine Fails To Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 ▫ After Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 䡵 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped . . . . . . . . 302 䡵 Manual Transmission — If Equipped . . . . . . . . 302 ▫ Five–Speed Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 302 ▫ Recommended Shift Speeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 ▫ Downshifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 䡵 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped . . . . . . 304 ▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 ▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 306 ▫ Gear Ranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 䡵 AutoStick威 — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 296 STARTING AND OPERATING 䡵 Driving Through Water ▫ Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 ▫ General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313 䡵 Driving On Slippery Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 ▫ Acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 ▫ Traction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 ▫ Flowing/Rising Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 ▫ Shallow Standing Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 䡵 Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 ▫ Power Steering Fluid Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318 䡵 Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319 䡵 Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 ▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 322 䡵 Electronic Brake Control System . . . . . . . . . . . 324 ▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 325 ▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 ▫ Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . 326 ▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual Transmission Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 . . . . . . . . . 328 ▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And ESC Off Indicator Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 䡵 Tire Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 ▫ Tire Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 ▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) . . . . . . . . . 335 ▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions . . . . . . . . . 336 ▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 337 䡵 Tires — General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 ▫ Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 ▫ Tire Inflation Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342 ▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 343 ▫ Radial Ply Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 ▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And Wheel – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344 ▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped . . . . . . . . 345 ▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 ▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . 346 ▫ Tire Spinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 ▫ Tread Wear Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348 ▫ Life Of Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348 STARTING AND OPERATING 297 ▫ Replacement Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349 䡵 Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 䡵 Snow Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 䡵 Tire Rotation Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . 351 䡵 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . . . . 353 ▫ Base System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 ▫ Premium System – If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . 358 ▫ General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362 䡵 Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 ▫ 2.0L And 2.4L Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 ▫ Reformulated Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 ▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364 ▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles . . . . . . 364 298 STARTING AND OPERATING 䡵 Adding Fuel ▫ MMT In Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 ▫ Materials Added To Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 ▫ Fuel System Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366 ▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 ▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 ▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message . . . . . . . . . . . 369 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370 䡵 Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372 ▫ Common Towing Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . 372 ▫ Vehicle Certification Label 䡵 Vehicle Loading ▫ Installing A Trailer Hitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374 ▫ Trailer Hitch Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 ▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376 ▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 ▫ Towing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378 ▫ Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383 䡵 Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385 ▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385 STARTING PROCEDURES Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts. WARNING! access to an unlocked vehicle. fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle. • When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key • Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with • Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil- dren should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever. • Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A child could operate power windows, other con- trols, or move the vehicle. STARTING AND OPERATING 299 Manual Transmission – If Equipped Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake, press the clutch pedal to the floor, and place the shift lever in NEUTRAL. NOTE: • The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal is • If the key will not turn and the steering wheel is locked, rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve pressure on the locking mechanism and then turn the key. pressed to the floor. Automatic Transmission – If Equipped The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes before shifting to any driving gear. NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting out of PARK. 300 STARTING AND OPERATING Normal Starting Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal. Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure. WARNING! Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans- mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done improperly, so follow the procedure carefully. Refer to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emer- gencies” for further information. Tip Start Feature Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage automatically when the engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 sec- onds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure. Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or ⫺29°C) To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail- able from your authorized dealer) is recommended. If Engine Fails To Start If the engine fails to start after you have followed the “Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce- dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there. Crank the engine for no more than 15 seconds. This should clear any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded. Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the accelerator pedal and repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure. STARTING AND OPERATING 301 WARNING! Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing serious personal injury. CAUTION! To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again. After Starting The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine warms up. 302 STARTING AND OPERATING 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. WARNING! Remember to disconnect the engine block heater cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause electrocution. MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED Five–Speed Manual Transmission WARNING! You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle unattended without having the parking brake fully applied. The parking brake should al- ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle, especially on an incline. Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator pedal. STARTING AND OPERATING 303 For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light accelerations, fifth gear is recommended. Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, and never try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the clutch. Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a complete stop. NOTE: During cold weather, until the transmission lubricant is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the transmission. Recommended Shift Speeds fuel To use your manual economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the following table. transmission for optimal Shift Pattern Use each gear in numerical order, do not skip a gear. Be sure the transmission is in first gear, (not third), when starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch can result from starting in third gear. 304 STARTING AND OPERATING Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds Units in mph (km/h) Engine Size All En- gines Accel- eration Rate Accel Cruise 1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4 to 5 14 (23) 12 (19) 23 (37) 18 (29) 29 (47) 25 (40) 45 (72) 32 (52) Downshifting Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and prolong engine life. CAUTION! If you skip more than one gear while downshifting or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could damage the engine, transmission, or clutch. To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift down to second or first gear when descending a steep grade. When turning a corner or driving up a steep grade, downshift early so that the engine will not be overburdened. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED CAUTION! Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow- ing precautions are not observed: • Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to • Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle speed. a complete stop. (Continued) CAUTION! (Continued) • Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU- TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed. • Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal. NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while shifting out of PARK. STARTING AND OPERATING 305 WARNING! • 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 apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and remove the ignition key. Once the key is removed, the shift lever is locked in the PARK position, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement. • Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re- move the key fob from the ignition. When leaving the vehicle, always lock your vehicle. • Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. (Continued) 306 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) • Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil- dren should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever. • Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A child could operate power windows, other con- trols, or move the vehicle. • It is dangerous to move the shift lever 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. Key Ignition Park Interlock This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter- lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK before the ignition switch can be turned to the LOCK/ OFF position. The key fob can only be removed from the ignition when the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF position, and once removed, the shift lever is locked in PARK. Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the PARK position unless the brakes are applied. To move the shift lever out of the PARK position, the ignition switch must be turned to the ON/RUN or START position (engine running or not) and the brake pedal must be pressed. The shift lever position display (located in the instrument panel cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. You must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever out of the PARK position (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position. NOTE: The Continuously Variable Automatic Transmis- sion (CVT) changes ratios in a continuous manner. This may sometimes ⬙feel⬙ as if it is slipping, but this is normal and does not harm anything. Shifting from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE should be done only after the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when moving the shift lever between these gears. The transmission shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU- TRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Some models include a LOW position; in others, manual shifts are made using the AutoStick威 shift control (refer to “AutoStick威” in this section). Moving the shift lever to the left or right (-/+) while in the DRIVE position (if equipped with AutoStick威) will manually select from a set of predefined STARTING AND OPERATING 307 transmission gear ratios, and will display the current gear in the instrument cluster as 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Gear Ranges DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range. Shift Lever 308 STARTING AND OPERATING PARK This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range. When parking on a level surface, you may place the shift lever in the PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake. When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added precau- tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade. WARNING! • Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage. • Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to move the shift lever rearward (with the brake pedal released) after you have placed it in PARK. Make sure the transmission is in PARK before leaving the vehicle. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • It is dangerous to move the shift lever 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. (Continued) STARTING AND OPERATING 309 WARNING! (Continued) • 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 apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and remove the ignition key. Once the key is removed, the shift lever is locked in the PARK position, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement. • Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re- move the key fob from the ignition. When leaving the vehicle, always lock your vehicle. • Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. (Continued) 310 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) • Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil- dren should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever. • Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A child could operate power windows, other con- trols, or move the vehicle. CAUTION! • Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you must turn the ignition switch from the LOCK/OFF position to the ON/RUN position, and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the shift lever could result. (Continued) CAUTION! (Continued) • DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can damage the drivetrain. The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have engaged the shift lever into the PARK position: • When shifting into PARK, move the shift lever all the way forward and to the left until it stops and is fully seated. • Look at the shift lever position display and verify that • With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever it indicates the PARK position. will not move out of PARK. REVERSE This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. NEUTRAL Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Set the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle. 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. STARTING AND OPERATING 311 CAUTION! Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can result in severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recre- ational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in What To Do In Emergencies” for further information. DRIVE This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the best fuel economy. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions. When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi- tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick威 mode (if equipped) to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, 312 STARTING AND OPERATING using a lower gear will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. During sustained high speed driving or trailer towing up long grades on hot days, the automatic transmission oil may become too hot. If this happens, the transmission overheat indicator light will come on, and the vehicle will slow slightly until the transmission cools down enough to allow a return to the requested speed. This is done to prevent transmission damage due to overheating. If the high speed is maintained, the overheating may reoccur, as before, in a cyclic fashion. LOW – IF EQUIPPED This range should be used for engine braking when descending very steep grades. In this range, the trans- mission will downshift for maximum engine braking, and upshifts will occur only to prevent engine overspeed. AUTOSTICK姞 — IF EQUIPPED AutoStick威 is a driver-interactive transmission that offers six manual ratio changes to provide you with more control. AutoStick威 allows you to maximize engine brak- ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance. This system can also provide you with more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situations. Automatic ratio changes upward will only occur to protect the Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) and/or the engine from overspeed. Changes down will only happen at minimum engine speed to prevent stall- ing. Operation NOTE: AutoStick威 is not available until the CVT warms up in cold weather. AutoStick威 operation is activated in the DRIVE position by moving the shift lever side-to-side. Moving the shift lever to the (+) side will activate AutoStick威 and shift up to the next higher manual ratio, unless you are already operating in or near Overdrive, in which case sixth gear ratio will be selected. In like manner, moving the shift lever to (-) will activate AutoStick威 and shift to the next lower manual ratio. After AutoStick威 is activated, the manual ratio selected is displayed in the transmission ratio display and tipping the shift lever to the (+) or (-) direction will cause an upshift or downshift by one ratio. AutoStick威 Is Deactivated: • By holding the shift lever to (+) momentarily • When the shift lever is shifted out of DRIVE • When in sixth position, touching the shift lever to the right • When heavy Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) applica- STARTING AND OPERATING 313 tion is detected General Information • If a ratio other than first is selected and the vehicle is brought to a stop, the transmission control logic will automatically select the first gear ratio. • If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to the rev limit, the transmission will automatically select the next higher ratio. • If a downshift would cause the engine to overspeed, that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine. • If the system detects powertrain overheating, the transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off. 314 STARTING AND OPERATING • If the system detects a problem, it will disable the AutoStick威 mode and the transmission will return to the automatic mode until the problem is corrected. DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES Acceleration Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip- pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a difference in the surface traction under the front (driving) wheels. WARNING! Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.). Traction When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a wedge of water to build up between the tire and road surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precautions should be observed: 1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are slushy. 2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles. 3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first become visible. 4. Keep tires properly inflated. 5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden stop. DRIVING THROUGH WATER Driving through water more than a few inches/ centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure safety and prevent damage to your vehicle. STARTING AND OPERATING 315 Flowing/Rising Water WARNING! Do not drive on or across a road or path where water is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flow- ing water can wear away the road or path’s surface and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water. Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this warning may result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you. Shallow Standing Water Although your vehicle is capable of driving through shallow standing water, consider the following Caution and Warning before doing so. 316 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! • Always check the depth of the standing water before driving through it. Never drive through standing water that is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims mounted on the vehicle. • Determine the condition of the road or the path that is under water and if there are any obstacles in the way before driving through the standing wa- ter. • Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through standing water. This will minimize wave effects. (Continued) CAUTION! (Continued) • Driving through standing water may cause dam- age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al- ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance) after driving through standing water. Do not con- tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears contaminated, as this may result in further dam- age. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. • Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. WARNING! • Driving through standing water limits your vehi- cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through standing water. • Driving through standing water limits your vehi- cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop- ping distances. Therefore, after driving through standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes. • Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you stranded. • Failure to follow these warnings may result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you. STARTING AND OPERATING 317 POWER STEERING The standard power steering system will give you good vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical steering capability if power assist is lost. If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi- tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during parking maneuvers. NOTE: • Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate that there is a problem with the power steering system. • Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer- ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering 318 STARTING AND OPERATING system. This noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any way damage the steering system. WARNING! Continued operation with reduced power steering assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others. Service should be obtained as soon as possible. CAUTION! Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering fluid temperature and it should be avoided when possible. Damage to the power steering pump may occur. Power Steering Fluid Check Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined service interval is not required. The fluid should only be checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici- pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho- rized dealer. CAUTION! Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering system as the chemicals can damage your power steering components. Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. WARNING! Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and with the engine off to prevent injury from moving parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended power steering fluid. If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information. PARKING BRAKE Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave an automatic transmission in PARK, or manual transmission in REVERSE or first gear. The parking brake lever is located in the center console. To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever completely. STARTING AND OPERATING 319 Parking Brake When the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch in the ON position, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instrument cluster will illuminate. 320 STARTING AND OPERATING NOTE: • When the parking brake is applied and the automatic 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 ap- plied. It does not show the degree of brake application. When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade. For vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, apply the parking brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. The parking brake should always be applied whenever the driver is not in the vehicle. WARNING! access to an unlocked vehicle. fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle. • When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key • Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with • Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil- dren should be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the shift lever. • Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle. A child could operate power windows, other con- trols, or move the vehicle. • Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake failure and a collision. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • Always fully apply the parking brake when leav- ing your vehicle or it may roll and cause damage or injury. Also, be certain to leave an automatic transmission in PARK, a manual transmission in REVERSE or first gear. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury. 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. BRAKE SYSTEM Your vehicle is equipped with power assisted brakes as standard equipment. In the event power assist is lost for STARTING AND OPERATING 321 any reason (for example, repeated brake applications with the engine off), the brakes will still function. How- ever, the effort required to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required with the power system oper- ating. WARNING! Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and possible brake damage. You would not have your full braking capacity in an emergency. If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa- bility, the remaining system will still function with some loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident by increased pedal travel during application and greater pedal force required to slow or stop. In addition, if the 322 STARTING AND OPERATING malfunction is caused by an internal leak, as the brake fluid in the master cylinder drops, the “Brake Warning Light” will light. WARNING! Driving a vehicle with the “Brake Warning Light” on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking per- formance or vehicle stability during braking may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to control. You could have a collision. Have the vehicle checked immedi- ately. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) The ABS provides increased vehicle stability and brake performance under most braking conditions. The system automatically “pumps” the brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent wheel lock-up. WARNING! • Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish their effectiveness and may lead to a collision. Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to slow down or stop. • The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys- ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency beyond that af- forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded. • The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle too closely, or hydro- planing. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued) • The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. The “ABS Warning Light” monitors the ABS System. The light will come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for as long as four seconds. If the “ABS Warning Light” remains on or comes on while driving, it indicates that the anti-lock portion of the brake system is not functioning and that service is required. However, the conventional brake system will continue to operate normally if the “Brake Warning Light” is not on. If the “ABS Warning Light” is on, the brake system should be serviced as soon as possible to restore the STARTING AND OPERATING 323 benefits of anti-lock brakes. If the “ABS Warning Light” does not come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the bulb repaired as soon as possible. If both the “Brake Warning Light” and the “ABS Warning Light” remain on, the ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) systems are not functioning. Immedi- ate repair to the ABS is required. When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some related motor noises. These noises are the system per- forming its self-check cycle to ensure that the ABS working properly. This self-check occurs each time the vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h). ABS is activated during braking under certain road or stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in- clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose debris, or panic stops. 324 STARTING AND OPERATING You may also experience the following when the brake system goes into anti-lock mode: • the ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a • the clicking sound of solenoid valves • brake pedal pulsations • a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end short time after the stop) of the stop These are all normal characteristics of ABS. WARNING! The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) contains sophis- ticated electronic equipment that may be susceptible to interference caused by improperly installed or high output radio transmitting equipment. This in- terference can cause possible loss of Anti-Lock brak- ing capability. Installation of such equipment should be performed by qualified professionals. All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and type and tires must be properly inflated to produce accurate signals for the computer. ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional ad- vanced electronic brake control system that includes Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All sys- tems work together to enhance vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions and are commonly referred to as ESC. Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking conditions. The system controls hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in “Starting and Operating” for further information. Brake Assist System (BAS) The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The system detects an emergency braking situation by sens- ing the rate and amount of brake application and then applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the STARTING AND OPERATING 325 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes very quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak- ing pressure during the stopping sequence (do not “pump” the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated. WARNING! • The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail- ing road conditions. • The BAS cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplan- ing. (Continued) 326 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) • The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. Traction Control System (TCS) This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This feature remains active even if TCS and ESC are in the “Partial Off” mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)” in this section for further information. Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual Transmission Only The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short period of time after the driver takes their foot off of the brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle during this short period of time, the system will release brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The system will release brake pressure in proportion to amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in the intended direction of travel. HSA Activation Criteria The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to activate: • Vehicle must be stopped. • Vehicle must be on a 7% grade or greater hill. • Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back- ing uphill is in REVERSE gear). WARNING! There may be situations on minor hills (i.e., less than 8%), with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer, when the system will not activate and slight rolling may occur. This could cause a collision with another vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is responsible for braking the vehicle. Disabling/Enabling HSA If you wish to turn on or off the HSA system, it can be done using the Customer Programmable Features in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to STARTING AND OPERATING 327 “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in “Un- derstanding Your Instrument Panel” for further informa- tion. For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the following steps: NOTE: You must complete Steps 1 through 8 within 90 seconds. 1. Center the steering wheel straight forward). 2. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL. 3. Apply the parking brake. 4. Start the engine. 5. Release the clutch pedal. 6. Rotate the steering wheel one-half turn to the left. (front wheels pointing 328 STARTING AND OPERATING 7. Press the “ESC Off” switch (located in the lower switch bank below the climate controls) four times within 20 seconds. The “ESC Off Indicator Light” should turn on and turn off two times. 8. Rotate the steering wheel back to center and then an additional half-turn to the right. 9. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and then back to the ON position. If the sequence was completed properly, the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will blink several times to confirm HSA is disabled. 10. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to it’s previous setting. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) This system enhances directional control and stability of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC cor- rects for over-steering or under-steering of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the over-steering or under-steering condi- tion. Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the desired path. ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the over-steer or under-steer condition. • Over-steer - when the vehicle is turning more than • Under-steer - when the vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the steering wheel position. appropriate for the steering wheel position. WARNING! • The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre- vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. • ESC cannot prevent collisions, including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also cannot prevent collisions resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent collisions. • The capabilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others. STARTING AND OPERATING 329 ESC Operating Modes The ESC system has two available operating modes. Full On This is the normal operating mode for ESC. Whenever the vehicle is started the ESC system will be in this “On” mode. This mode should be used for most driving situations. ESC should only be turned to “Partial Off” for specific reasons as noted below. Partial Off This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESC would normally allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the “ESC Off” switch. This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of operation. 330 STARTING AND OPERATING NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off” mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situa- tion requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in motion. WARNING! When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functionality of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature described in the TCS section), has been disabled and the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will be illuminated. All other stabil- ity features of ESC function normally. When in “Partial Off” mode, the engine power reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and the enhanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC system is reduced. ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and ESC OFF Indicator Light The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. It should go out with the engine running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho- rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo- cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/ Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac- celeration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions. NOTE: • The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen- tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON. • Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system • The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver that caused the ESC activation. will be ON even if it was turned off previously. The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off. STARTING AND OPERATING 331 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION Tire Markings 1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan- dards Code (TIN) 2 — Size Designation 3 — Service Description 4 — Maximum Load 5 — Maximum Pressure 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades • Temporary spare tires are spares designed for tempo- rary emergency use only. Temporary high pressure compact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex- ample: T145/80D18 103M. • High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT. 332 STARTING AND OPERATING NOTE: • P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa- tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H. • European-Metric tire sizing is based on European design standards. Tires designed to this standard have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with the section width. The letter ⬙P⬙ is absent from this tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H. • LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced- ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16. Tire Sizing Chart Size Designation: EXAMPLE: P = Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards ⴖ....blank....ⴖ = Passenger car tire based on European design standards LT = Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards T or S= Temporary spare tire 31 = Overall diameter in inches (in) 215 = Section width in millimeters (mm) 65 = Aspect ratio in percent (%) — Ratio of section height to section width of tire 10.5 = Section width in inches (in) R = Construction code — ⬙R⬙ means radial construction — ⬙D⬙ means diagonal or bias construction 15 = Rim diameter in inches (in) STARTING AND OPERATING 333 334 STARTING AND OPERATING Service Description: EXAMPLE: 95 = Load Index — A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry H = Speed Symbol — A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load index under certain operating conditions — The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under specified operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and posted speed limits) Load Identification: ⴖ....blank....ⴖ = Absence of any text on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) tire Extra Load (XL) = Extra load (or reinforced) tire Light Load (LL) = Light load tire C, D, E, F, G = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure Maximum Load — Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry Maximum Pressure — Maximum pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire Tire Identification Number (TIN) The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire, however, the date code may only be on one side. Tires with white sidewalls will have the full TIN, including the date code, located on the white sidewall side of the tire. STARTING AND OPERATING 335 Look for the TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard side, then you will find it on the inboard side of the tire. EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301 DOT = Department of Transportation — This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards and is approved for highway use MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits) L9 = Code representing the tire size (two digits) ABCD = Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits) 03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits) —03 means the 3rd week. 01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits) —01 means the year 2001 — Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991 336 STARTING AND OPERATING Tire Terminology And Definitions B-Pillar Term Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Maximum Inflation Pressure Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Tire Placard Definition The vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body located behind the front door. Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting for a three hour period. Inflation pressure is measured in units of PSI (pounds per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals). The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire. The maximum inflation pres- sure is molded into the sidewall. Vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold tire inflation pressure as shown on the tire placard. A paper label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the vehicle’s loading capacity, the original equipment tire sizes and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures. Tire Loading And Tire Pressure Tire And Loading Information Placard STARTING AND OPERATING 337 Tire And Loading Information Placard Location NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the driver’s side B-Pillar or the rear edge of the driver’s side door. Tire and Loading Information Placard This placard tells you important information about the: 1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle 2) total weight your vehicle can carry 3) tire size designed for your vehicle 4) cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and spare tires. Tire Placard Location 338 STARTING AND OPERATING Loading The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section of this manual. NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles must not be exceeded. For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle Loading” in this section. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the weight referenced here. Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit 1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu- pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kg” on your vehicle’s placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas- sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg. 4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (295 kg) (since 5 x 150 = 750, and 1400 – 750 = 650 lbs [295 kg]). 5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4. 6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. STARTING AND OPERATING 339 NOTE: • The following table shows examples on how to calcu- late total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle. • For the following example, the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs (392 kg). 340 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! Safety STARTING AND OPERATING 341 Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them. TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION Tire Pressure Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary areas are affected by improper tire pressure: WARNING! cause collisions. sult in tire over-heating and failure. • Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can • Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can re- • Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can cause damage that result in tire failure. • Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control. • Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob- lems. You could lose control of your vehicle. (Continued) 342 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING! (Continued) • Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve- hicle 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. Economy Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation also increases tire fuel rolling consumption. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride. Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride. resistance resulting higher in Tire Inflation Pressures The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the driver’s side “B” Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side door. Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure Information for vehicle loads that are less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con- ditions will be found in the “Supplemental Tire Pressure Information” section of this manual. The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they are under-inflated. CAUTION! After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al- ways reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could damage the valve stem. Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always “cold tire inflation pressure.” Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum infla- tion pressure molded into the tire sidewall. Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range of outdoor temperatures as tire pressures vary with temperature changes. STARTING AND OPERATING 343 Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per 12°F (7°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in the Winter. Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and the outside temperature = 32°F (0°C) then the cold tire inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa), which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for this outside temperature condition. Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa) during operation. Do not reduce this normal pressure build up or your tire pressure will be too low. Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi- tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle 344 STARTING AND OPERATING loading may be required for high-speed vehicle opera- tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures. WARNING! High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi- mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your tires could cause them to fail. You could have a serious collision. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h). Radial Ply Tires WARNING! Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle poorly. The instability could cause a collision. Al- ways use radial ply tires in sets of four. Never combine them with other types of tires. Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs. Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire and Wheel – If Equipped Your vehicle may be equivalent with a spare tire and wheel in look and function as the original equipment tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option refer to an authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation pattern. If your vehicle is not equipped with an original equip- ment tire and wheel as a spare, a non-matching tempo- rary emergency use spare may be equipped with your vehicle. Temporary use spares are engineered to be used only with your vehicle. Your vehicle may be equipped with one of the following types of non-matching tempo- rary use spares; compact, full size, or limited-use. Do not install more than one non-matching temporary use spare tire/wheel on the vehicle at any given time. CAUTION! Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a compact, full size or limited-use temporary spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may result. STARTING AND OPERATING 345 Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped The compact spare is for temporary emergency use only. You can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a compact spare by looking at the spare tire description on the Tire and Loading Information Placard located on the driver’s side door opening or on the sidewall of the tire. Compact spare tire descriptions begin with the letter “T” or “S” preceding the size designation. Example: T145/ 80D18 103M. T, S = Temporary Spare Tire Since this tire has limited tread life the original equip- ment tire should be repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on your vehicle at the first opportunity. Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare tire. Do not install more than one compact spare tire and wheel on the vehicle at any given time 346 STARTING AND OPERATING WARNING!

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2012 Dodge Caliber Owners Manual