The lever on the left side of the steering column includes the following:

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 cluster 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 (see Fuses and Circuit Breakers ) and for burned-out bulbs.

Turn Signal On Chime

If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn signal. 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 to high beam or high to low beam, pull the multifunction lever all the way toward you until you hear a click. Then release it.

When the high-beam headlamps are on, this indicator light on the instrument panel cluster 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. It works even if your headlamps are in the automatic position.

To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not so far that you hear a click.

If your headlamps are in the automatic position or on low beam, your high-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you and the high-beam indicator on the dash will come on. Release the lever to return to normal operation.

Windshield Wipers

WIPER: Turn the band with this symbol on it to operate the windshield wipers.

MIST:  Turn the band to MIST for a single wiping cycle. Hold it until the windshield wipers start. Then let it go. The windshield wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the band on MIST longer.

OFF:  Turn the band to OFF to turn off the windshield wipers.

LO (Low Speed):  Turn the band away from you to LO and past the delay settings for steady wiping at low speed.

HI (High Speed): Turn the band away from you, to HI, and past the delay settings for wiping steady at high speed.

Delayed Wiping: You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay between wipes. Turn the band to choose the delay time. The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.

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 worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.

Windshield Washer

PUSH: Use this paddle to spray washer fluid on the windshield. The wipers will clear the window and then either stop or return to your preset speed.

Caution: 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.

Cruise Control

If your vehicle is equipped with cruise control, it is located on a band at the end of your turn signal/multifunction lever.

You can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).

Caution: 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

Caution: 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.

1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the SET button located at the end of the lever and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

Resuming a Set Speed

Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off cruise control. But you don't need to reset it.

Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can move the cruise control switch briefly from ON to R/A (Resume/Accelerate) .

You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay there.

If you hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle will keep going faster until you release the switch or apply the brake. You could be startled and even lose control. 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:

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

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 want 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:

Erasing Speed Memory

When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your cruise control set speed memory is erased.