The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from short circuits by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by electrical problems.

Look at the metallic band inside the fuse. If the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.

If you ever have a problem on the road and don't have a spare fuse, you can borrow one. Just pick some feature of your vehicle that you can get along without -- like the radio or cigarette lighter -- and use its fuse, if it is the size you need. Replace it as soon as you can.

Before replacing a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical switch off.

There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment fuse block.

This fuse block is located under the driver's side of the instrument panel. The fuses here protect each separate circuit including headlamps. There are spare fuses inside the fuse box. If you have electrical failure, check here first.

Fuses for the air bags and the heater/air conditioning system are located next to the instrument panel fuse block.

The engine compartment fuse block is located in the engine compartment on the passenger's side of the vehicle and protects all electrical loads. See Engine Compartment Overview for more information on location.

For access to the main fuses, pull off the cover.