VIN CODE ID EXPLANATION
Numbers preceding the explanations in the legend below refer to the sequence of characters as listed on VIN identification label. See VIN example below.
VIN Code ID Explanation. Scheme 3
Scheme 3: VIN Code ID Explanation
SEVERE & NORMAL SERVICE DEFINITIONS
Service is recommended at mileage intervals based on vehicle operation. Service schedules are based on the following primary operating conditions
Normal Service
- Driven More Than 10 Miles Daily
- No Operating Conditions From Severe Service Schedule
Severe Service
Note. Use the Severe Service schedule if the vehicle to be serviced is operated under ANY (one or more) of these conditions
- Towing A Trailer Or Using A Car-Top Carrier
- Operating In Severe Dust Conditions
- Extensive Idling, Such As Police, Taxi Or Door-To-Door Delivery Service
- Short Trips Of Less Than 10 Miles (16 km) When Outside Temperatures Remain Below 0°F (-18°C)
CAMSHAFT TIMING BELT
| CAUTION | Failure to replace a faulty camshaft timing belt may result in serious engine damage. |
The condition of camshaft drive belts should always be checked on vehicles which have more than 50,000 miles. Although some manufacturers do not recommend belt replacement at a specified mileage, others require it at 60,000-100,000 miles. A camshaft drive belt failure may cause extensive damage to internal engine components on most engines, although some designs do not allow piston-to-valve contact. These designs are often called "Free Wheeling".
Many manufacturers changed their maintenance and warranty schedules in the mid-1980's to reflect timing belt inspection and/or replacement at 50,000-60,000 miles. Most service interval schedules in this manual reflect these changes.
Belts or components should be inspected and replaced if any of the following conditions exist
- Cracks Or Tears In Belt Surface
- Missing, Damaged, Cracked Or Rounded Teeth
- Oil Contamination
- Damaged Or Faulty Tensioners
- Incorrect Tension Adjustment
FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLES INFORMATION
| CAUTION | On vehicles with 3.0L flexible fuel engines (methanol fuel), inspect and replace fuel filters as necessary. Engine oil, spark plugs and fuel filters for the flexible fuel vehicle are unique. DO NOT substitute with gasoline engine components. |
COOLING SYSTEM, HOSES & CLAMPS
Inspect engine cooling system, hoses, and clamps; check coolant strength every 15,000 miles or 12 months. Replace hoses and clamps as necessary.
Scheme 4
Scheme 4: SERVICE POINT LOCATIONS
Scheme 5
Scheme 6
Scheme 7
TIRE INFLATION
Inflation pressure can be found on decal attached to front face of right-hand rear door pillar.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM)
When performing maintenance on air bag equipped vehicles always observe proper safety precautions.
| WARNING | To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and carefully follow all warnings and service precautions. See appropriate AIR BAGS article in ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT. |
| CAUTION | Disconnect negative battery cable before servicing any air bag system or steering column component. Check system operation after each repair; always turn the ignition switch to the ON position from passenger's side of vehicle. |
AIR CONDITIONING SERVICING
| WARNING | Avoid breathing R-134a refrigerant and PAG lubricant vapors, exposure may irritate eyes, nose and throat. To remove R-134a from system use R-134a recycling equipment that meets SAE J2210 specifications. If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service. |
| WARNING | R-134a service equipment or vehicle A/C systems SHOULD NOT be pressure tested or leak tested with compressed air. Some mixtures of air/R134a have shown to be combustible at elevated pressures. These mixtures are dangerous and may cause fire and/or explosions. See AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE article in GENERAL INFORMATION section. |
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
| CAUTION | The anti-lock brake system contains electronic equipment that can be susceptible to interference caused by improperly installed or high output radio transmitting equipment. Since this interference could cause the possible loss of the anti-lock braking capability, such equipment should be installed by qualified professionals. |
On models equipped with anti-lock brake systems, ALWAYS observe the following cautions
- DO NOT attempt to bleed hydraulic system without first referring to the appropriate ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM article in the BRAKES Section.
- DO NOT mix tire sizes. As long as tires remain close to the original diameter, increasing the width is acceptable. Rolling diameter must be identical for all 4 tires. Some manufacturers recommend tires of the same brand, style and type. Failure to follow this precaution may cause inaccurate wheel speed readings.
- Use ONLY recommended brake fluids. DO NOT use silicone brake fluids in an ABS-equipped vehicle.
REPLACING BLOWN FUSES
| CAUTION | Before replacing a blown fuse, remove ignition key, turn off all lights and accessories to avoid damaging the electrical system. Be sure to use fuse with the correct indicated amperage rating. The use of an incorrect amperage rating fuse may result in a dangerous electrical system overload. |
BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATOR
| CAUTION | Indicator will cause a squealing or scraping noise, warning that brake pads need replacement. |
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
| CAUTION | Continued operation of vehicle with a severe malfunction could cause converter to overheat, resulting in possible damage to converter and vehicle. |
| CAUTION | To prevent catalytic converter overheating, DO NOT allow engine to idle for more than 20 minutes. |
COOLANT
| CAUTION | To avoid possible damage to vehicle use only ethylene-glycol based coolants with a mixture ratio from 44-68% anti-freeze. DO NOT use 100% anti-freeze as it will cause the formation of cooling system deposits. This results in coolant temperatures of over 300° F (149°C) which can melt plastics. 100% anti-freeze has a freeze point of only -8° F (-22°C). |
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE SENSITIVE (ESD) PARTS
| WARNING | Many solid state electrical components can be damaged by static electricity (ESD). Some will display a warning label, but many will not. Discharge personal static electricity by touching a metal ground point on the vehicle prior to servicing any ESD sensitive component. |
FUEL PUMP SHUTOFF SWITCH
This switch stops the flow of fuel to the engine after a collision. The impact does not have to be great (minor parking lot bumping or severe road impacts) for the switch to be triggered. Once the shutoff switch is triggered, it must be reset by hand before the car can be started. If you have a Sedan, the switch is located on the right side of the trunk behind the trunk liner, if you have a Wagon, the switch is located behind the service panel on the right side of the cargo area.
FUEL SYSTEM SERVICE
| WARNING | Relieve fuel system pressure prior to servicing any fuel system component. |
HALOGEN BULBS
| WARNING | Halogen bulbs contain pressurized gas which may explode if overheated. DO NOT touch glass portion of bulb with bare hands. Eye protection should be worn when handling or working around halogen bulbs. |
METHANOL GASOLINE
| CAUTION | Fuel that is more than 5% methanol should not be used in this vehicle. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel system, and damage plastic and rubber parts. Even at 5% methanol or less, solvents and corrosion preventers must be used with this fuel to avoid these problems. |
RADIATOR CAP
| CAUTION | Always disconnect the fan motor when working near the radiator fan. The fan is temperature controlled and could start at any time even when the ignition key is in the OFF position. DO NOT loosen or remove radiator cap when cooling system is hot. |
RADIATOR FAN
| WARNING | Keep hands away from radiator fan. Fan is controlled by a thermostatic switch which may come on or run for up to 15 minutes even after engine is turned off. |
SPARK PLUGS
Note. Allow engine to cool before removing spark plugs from aluminum cylinder heads.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
| CAUTION | Due to the different warranties offered in various regions and the variety of after-market extended warranties available, please refer to the warranty package that came with the vehicle to verify all warranty options. |
