Instrument Panel Overview
Hazard Warning Flashers
| (Hazard Warning Flasher): Press this button located on the instrument panel, to make the front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off. This warns others that you are having trouble. Press | again to turn the flashers off
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
The tilt wheel lever is located on the left side of the steering column.
To adjust the steering wheel:
- Pull the lever down.
- Move the steering wheel up or down into a comfortable position.
- Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column operates the following:
: Turn and Lane-Change Signals
: Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
: Exterior Lamp Control
Flash-to-Pass. Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel cluster flashes in the direction of the turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change is complete.
The lever returns to its starting position when it is released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane change the arrows flash rapidly or do not come on, a signal bulb could be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out, check the fuse.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam, push the turn signal lever away from you.
This indicator light appears on the instrument panel cluster when the high beams are on.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam, pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
To signal to a driver in front of you that you want to pass, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever until the high-beam headlamps come on. Then release the lever to turn them off.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper lever is on the right side of the steering column.
Move the lever to control the windshield wipers.
O (Off): Turns the windshield wipers off.
(Intermittent; Speed Sensitive Wipers): For intermittent or speed sensitive operation. The amount of delay time varies between wiping cycles due to the delay setting selected or the speed of the vehicle. As vehicle speed is increased or decreased, the wiper interval also increases or decreases.
x (Delay): Move the lever to the & position, then turn the x band up for more frequent wipes or down for less frequent wipes.
6 (Low Speed): Slow wipes.
1 (High Speed): Fast wipes.
8 (Mist): Single wipe, move the lever down, then release it. Several wipes, hold the lever down.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using them.
If frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades should be replaced.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A circuit breaker stops the motor until it cools. If the motor gets stuck, turn the wipers off, clear away the snow or ice, and then turn the wipers back on.
As an added safety feature, if the wipers are on for more than 15 seconds, the vehicle's headlamps turn on automatically. They turn off 15 seconds after the wipers are turned off.
Windshield Washer
Press the button at the end of the windshield wiper lever until the washers begin.
WARNING:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your vision.
When the button is released, the washers stop, but the wipers continue to wipe about three times or resume the previous speed.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be maintained without keeping your foot on the accelerator. Cruise control does not work at speeds below 40 km/h (25 mph).
The brake must be applied at least one time, after the vehicle has been started, before cruise control will function.
WARNING:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the 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 excessive wheel slip, and you could lose control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
WARNING:
If you leave your cruise control on when you are not using cruise, you might hit a button and go into cruise when you do not want to. You could be startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise control switch off until you want to use cruise control.
The cruise control buttons are located on the outboard side of the steering wheel.
J (On/Off): Press to turn the cruise control system on and off.
RES+ (Resume): Press to resume a set speed and to accelerate the speed.
SET– (Set): Press to set a speed and to decrease the speed.
To set a speed do the following:
- Press J to turn the cruise control on. The indicator light on the button will come on.
- Get to the speed desired.
- Press the SET– part of the control button and release it. The CRUISE ENGAGED message will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) to show the system is engaged.
- Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then the brake is applied. This disengages the cruise control. To return to the previously set speed, you do not need to go through the set process again. Once the vehicle is traveling at least 40 km/h (25 mph) or more, press the RES+ part of the button briefly.
The vehicle returns to the previously selected speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
- Disengage the cruise control by applying the brake pedal, but do not turn it off. Accelerate to a higher speed and reset the cruise control.
- If the cruise control system is already engaged, press the RES+ part of the button. Hold it there until you get up to the speed desired, and then release the button. To increase the vehicle speed in very small amounts, press the RES+ part of the button briefly and then release it. Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
- Push and hold the SET– part of the button until the lower speed desired is reached, then release it.
- To slow down in very small amounts, push the SET– part of the button briefly. Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle's speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle will slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle's speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle's speed down. Applying the brake will turn off the cruise control.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to end cruise control:
- Step lightly on the brake pedal or the clutch pedal if the vehicle has a manual transmission. This will only end the current cruise control session.
- Press J to turn the system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2 (Headlamps): Turns on the headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
; (Parking Lamps): Turns on the parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System): Automatically turns on the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) during daytime, and the headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps at night. This position must be selected in order for the Wiper Activated Headlamps to be activated.
P (Off/On): When operating in AUTO, a momentary turn of the switch to Off/On will turn the Automatic Headlamp System off or back on. For vehicles first sold in Canada, the automatic transmission must be in P (Park) or the manual transmission must have the park brake set, before the Automatic Headlamp System can be turned off.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
The headlamps and parking lamps are activated 15 seconds after the windshield wipers are turned on. For this feature to work, automatic lighting must be enabled.
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated headlamps will immediately turn off. They also turn off 15 seconds after the windshield wiper control is turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
If the drivers door is opened with the ignition off and the lamps on, a warning chime will sound. This indicates that the headlamps are still on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada. The vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered, or the head lamps will be on when not needed.
The DRL system will make the headlamps come on when the following conditions are met:
- The ignition is on.
- The exterior lamps control is in AUTO or the parking lamps only position.
- The light sensor detects daytime light.
- The parking brake is released.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker lamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights will not be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular headlamp system when you need it.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the button is located on the instrument panel, to the left of the steering wheel.
The ignition must be on to use the fog lamps.
# : Press to turn the fog lamps on off. An indicator light on the button comes on when the fog lamps are on.
The parking lamps automatically turn on and off when the fog lamps are turned on and off.
The fog lamps will turn off while the high-beam headlamps are turned on.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The control for this feature is located on the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights or counterclockwise to dim the instrument panel lights, when the parking lamps or headlamps are on.
Dome Lamp
The vehicle may have a dome lamp.
Move the lever to the following positions:
(Off): Turns the lamp off, even when a door is opened.
(Door): Turns the lamp on whenever a door is opened.
(On): Turns the dome lamp on.
Entry/Exit Lighting
The lamps inside the vehicle will go on when any door is opened. These lamps fade out about 20 seconds after all of the doors have been closed or when the ignition is turned to ON/RUN. These lamps will also go on when pressing the trunk release, unlock symbol, or the horn symbol button on the Remote Keyless Entry System (RKE) Transmitter.
After the key is removed from the ignition, the lamps inside the vehicle stay on for about 20 seconds to provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps
The vehicle may have reading lamps on the rearview mirror. Press the button near each lamp to turn the reading lamps on and off.
Electric Power Management
This vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM), an advanced control system. It estimates the battery's temperature and state of charge and then adjusts the voltage for best performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low, the voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter gauge or voltage display on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator) may not be spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the battery. It does this by balancing the generator's output and the vehicle's electrical needs. It can increase engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the driver.
Battery Run-Down Protection
The vehicle has a battery saver feature designed to protect the vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition is turned off, the battery rundown protection system automatically turns the lamp off after 20 minutes. This prevents draining of the battery.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect electrical equipment, such as a cellular phone. The accessory power outlet is located in the center console, rearward of the shift lever.
To use the accessory power outlet, remove the cover. When not in use, always cover the accessory power outlet with the protective cap.
Notice: Leaving electrical equipment on for extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn off electrical equipment when not in use and do not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible with the accessory power outlet and could result in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem, see your dealer/retailer for additional information on the accessory power outlet.
Notice: Adding any electrical equipment to the vehicle can damage it or keep other components from working as they should. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not use equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes. Check with your dealer/retailer before adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the installation instructions included with the equipment.
Notice: Improper use of the power outlet can cause damage not covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket from the plug because the power outlets are designed for accessory power plugs only.
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
The vehicle may have an ashtray and cigarette lighter. To use the lighter, located on the instrument panel below the climate controls, push it in all the way and let go. When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice: Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is heating will not allow the lighter to back away from the heating element when it is hot. Damage from overheating may occur to the lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Do not use equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating of 15 amperes.
To clean the center console ashtray, remove the entire ashtray and empty it.
Notice: If papers, pins, or other flammable items are put in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking materials could ignite them and possibly damage the vehicle. Never put flammable items in the ashtray.