If you need to park your vehicle for an extended period (more than 1 month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to get your vehicle back on the road. If possible, store your vehicle indoors.
• Fill the fuel tank.
• Wash and dry the exterior completely.
• Clean the interior. Make sure the carpeting, floor mats, etc., are completely dry.
• Leave the parking brake off. Put the transmission in reverse (manual) or Park (automatic).
• Block the rear wheels.
• If the vehicle is to be stored for a longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the tires are off the ground.
• Leave one window open slightly (if the vehicle is being stored indoors).
• Disconnect the battery.
Support the front and rear wiper blade arms with a folded towel or rag so they do not touch the windshield.
• To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door and tailgate seals. Also, apply a vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door and tailgate seals.
• Cover the vehicle with a ‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made from a porous material such as cotton. Non-porous materials, such as plastic sheeting, trap moisture, which can damage the paint.
• If possible, periodically run the engine until it reaches full operating temperature (the cooling fans cycle on and off twice). Preferably, do this once a month.
Door Locks
Each door has a lock tab on the top of the door. Push in the tab to lock the
door, and pull it out to unlock.
On Canadian DX model
To lock the passenger’s door when getting out of the vehicle, ...
Side Curtain Airbags
The side curtain airbags help protect the heads of the driver and passengers
in outer
seating positions during a moderate-to-severe side impact.
The side curtain airbags are most effective when an ...
Maintenance Safety
All service items not detailed in this section should be performed by a certified
technician or other qualified mechanic.
Important Safety Precautions
To eliminate potential hazards, read the inst ...