Owners Checks and Services

OWNER CHECKS AND SERVICES
These owner checks and services should be performed at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety, dependability, and emission control performance of your vehicle.

Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once. Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones.

AT EACH FUEL FILL

ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Inspect the engine oil level and add the proper oil when necessary.

NOTICE: It is important to check your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your engine oil at the proper level can cause damage to your engine not covered by your warranty.

ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Inspect the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL coolant mixture when necessary.

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LEVEL
Inspect the fluid level in the windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid when necessary.

AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH

TIRE INFLATION
Inspect your vehicle's tires and make sure they are inflated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check the spare tire. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored securely.

TIRE WEAR INSPECTION
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service notification. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary, rotate the tires.

AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR

STARTER SWITCH CHECK

CAUTION: When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or others could be injured.

CAUTION: When performing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. Personal injury or property damage may result. Make sure there is enough room around the vehicle, in case the vehicle does move. Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn OFF the engine immediately if it starts.

1. Ensure that you have enough room around the vehicle, which should be parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply both the park brake and the regular brake.
3. Start the engine:
- On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in any other position, the vehicle needs service.
- On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway and try to start the engine. The starter should work only when the clutch is pushed down all the way to the floor. If the starter works when the clutch is not pushed all the way down, the vehicle needs service.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LOCK CONTROL CHECK

CAUTION: When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or others could be injured.

CAUTION: When performing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. Personal injury or property damage may result. Make sure there is enough room around the vehicle, in case the vehicle does move. Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn OFF the engine immediately if it starts.

1. Ensure that you have enough room around the vehicle, which should be parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN position, but don't start the engine.
4. Without applying the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort.
5. If the shift lever moves out of PARK (P), the vehicle needs service.

IGNITION TRANSMISSION LOCK CHECK
1. With the vehicle parked, set the parking brake.
2. Try to turn the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position:
3. With an automatic transmission, the key should turn to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
4. With a manual transmission, the key should turn to LOCK only when you press the key release button.
5. On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.

PARK BRAKE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK (P) MECHANISM CHECK
CAUTION: When you are doing this inspection, the vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle moves, you or others could be injured.

CAUTION: When performing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly. Personal injury or property damage may result. Make sure there is enough room around the vehicle, in case the vehicle does move. Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to turn OFF the engine immediately if it starts.

CAUTION: When you are doing this check, your vehicle could begin to move. You or others could be injured and property could be damaged. Make sure there is room in front of your vehicle in case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.

Follow this procedure to test the park brake and the automatic transmission PARK mechanism:
1. Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing downhill.
2. Keep your foot on the hydraulic brake pedal.
3. With the park brake set, perform the following test:
4. Start the engine.
5. Place the transmission in NEUTRAL.
6. Slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake pedal. If the vehicle moves adjust Park Brake.

In order to check the PARK (P) mechanism of an automatic transmission, additionally perform the following test:
1. Shift to PARK (P).
2. Release all brakes. If the vehicle moves adjust Park Brake.

UNDERBODY FLUSHING SERVICE
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any corrosive materials from the underbody. Clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris can collect.