Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column includes your:
- Turn and Lane Change Signals
- Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
- Flash-To-Pass Feature
- Windshield Wipers and Washer
- Cruise Control
Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you to signal a turn or a lane change. To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument panel will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself when you release it. As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don’t flash but just stay on, a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal a turn, check the fuse and check for burned-out bulbs. See “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index.
Turn Signal Reminder
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile, a chime will sound. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high to low, pull the turn signal lever toward you until you hear a click. Then release it.
When the high beams are on, this light on the instrument panel will also be on.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass. To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you a little, but not so far that you hear a click.
Your high-beam headlamps will stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you. The high-beam indicator on the dash will also come on. Release the lever to turn the high-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band marked WIPER DELAY.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more cycles, hold the band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.
For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away from you to the LO position. For high-speed wiping, turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, turn the band to OFF.
Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
At the top of the turn signal lever there’s a paddle with the word PUSH on it. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, just push the paddle briefly. The washer will spray several times, then stop. Unless they are already turned on, the wipers will operate at low speed for several sweeps, then turn off.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your vision.
To get more fluid on the windshield, push and hold the paddle. Spraying will continue as long as the paddle is held.
When the vehicle has a low fluid condition, the WASHER FLUID LOW light will come on to remind you to get more washer fluid soon.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This is helpful on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:
- Cruise control can be dangerous where you can’t drive safely at a steady speed. So, don’t use your cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic.
- Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can cause needless wheel spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. (See “Traction Control System” in the Index.) When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when you’re not using cruise, you might hit a button and go into cruise when you don’t want to. You could be startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise control switch off until you want to use it.
- Move the cruise control switch to ON.
- Get up to the speed you want.
- Push in the SET button at the end of the lever and release it. The CRUISE light on the instrument panel will come on.
- Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Setting the cruise control at a desired speed and then applying the brake will end the cruise control function. Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A (Resume/Accelerate) briefly to reset. This returns you to your desired preset speed.
If you hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle will accelerate until you release the switch or apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster, don’t hold the switch at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
- Use the accelerator pedal to go to a higher speed. Push the SET button at the end of the lever, then release the button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise at the higher speed. Or,
- Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it there until you reach a desired speed and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts, move the switch to R/A briefly and then release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster. The accelerate feature will only work after you have set the cruise control speed by pushing the SET button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using cruise control:
- Push in the button at the end of the lever until you reach a desired lower speed then release it.
- To slow down in very small amounts, push the button briefly. Each time you do this, you’ll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
- Step lightly on the brake pedal, or
- Move the cruise switch to OFF. The CRUISE light will also go out.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your cruise control set speed memory is erased.