Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Compass Calibration
Depress and hold down both the MODE and E/M buttons while the DIC is in the Compass/Temperature mode. Ignore the variation zone which shows up after 5 seconds and continue holding the buttons. After ten seconds the DIC will acknowledge that calibration is requested by illuminating the C indicator on the compass display if it's not already lit. To calibrate the compass, drive the vehicle through two circles less than 5 mph in a magnetically clean area. The C indicator will disappear and the DIC will display the proper vehicle display.
Compass variation is the difference between magnetic north and geographic north. In some areas of the country the difference is great enough to cause the compass to give a false reading. If this occurs, the compass variance must be set. View the Variance Zone Display to determine the correct zone. The zones are numbered 1 through 15. Depress and hold both the MODE and the E/M buttons simultaneously while the DIC is in the Compass/Temperature mode. After 5 seconds, the DIC will display the current variation setting. Release the buttons and adjust to the correct variation number using the E/M button. Consult the map for variation zone numbers. When the desired variation is reached press the MODE button to accept.
You cannot reset the Compass/Temperature mode. This mode is retained during ignition OFF.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.