The lever on the left side of the steering column includes the following:
• | Turn and Lane-Change Signals |
• | & Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer |
• | Flash-to-Pass |
• | Windshield Wipers |
• | Windshield Washer |
• | Cruise Control |
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 arrow flashes faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers will not see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and check the fuse. See Bulb Replacement and Fuses and Circuit Breakers .
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for the trailer lamps, the signal indicator will flash at a normal rate even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they are working.
If either turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km), a chime will sound to let the driver know to turn it off. If you need to leave the signal on for more than 3/4 mile (1.2 km), turn off the signal and then turn it back on.
To change the headlamps from high to low beam or from low to high, pull the turn signal lever all the way toward you and release it.
When the high beams are on, this light on the instrument panel cluster will also be on.
Your fog lamps will turn off when you switch to high beams. Using your high beams in fog is not recommended.
When the headlamps are off, pull the lever toward you to momentarily switch on the high beams. This will signal that you are going to pass. When you release the lever, they will turn 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 wipers. A circuit breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
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.
If your vehicle has a rear window wiper, the switch is located in the instrument panel switchbank.
Press the wiper symbol on the bottom of the switch to turn on the intermittent wiper. To turn off the wiper, press the top of the switch.
To wash and wipe the rear window, press the washer symbol on the top of the switch. Washer fluid will run down the glass as long as the switch is held in. When the top of the switch is released, the wiper will continue to cycle three more times. There is only one washer fluid reservoir for the front and rear windshield wipers. See Windshield Washer Fluid .
To wash the rear window when the rear wiper is already on, press the top of the switch with the wash symbol on it. Press in the bottom of the switch to continue the intermittent wiper cycle after the washing cycle is completed.
Your vehicle may have 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 can really help 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 disengages.
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.If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional traction control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. See Traction Control System (TCS) . When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control back on.
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.
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off the cruise control. But you do not need to reset it. Once you are going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can move the cruise control switch from ON to resume/accelerate (R/A) briefly. You will go 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. So unless you want to go faster, do not hold the switch at R/A.
To increase your speed while using cruise control, do one of the following:
• | Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed. Press the SET button at the end of the lever, then release the button and the accelerator pedal. You will begin to cruise at the higher speed. |
• | Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it there until you get up to the speed you want, 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 work whether or not you have set an initial cruise control speed.
To reduce your speed while using cruise control, do one of the following:
• | Press the SET button at the end of the lever until you reach the lower speed you want, then release it. |
• | To slow down in very small amounts, press the SET button briefly. Each time you do this, you will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower. |
To pass 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.
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 do not use cruise control on steep hills.
To turn off the cruise control, do one of the following:
• | Step lightly on the brake pedal. |
• | Move the cruise switch to OFF. |
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your cruise control set speed memory is erased.