
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows
AIR BAG. The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical problem. See “Air
Bag Readiness Light’’ in the Index for more information.
How the Air Bag System Works
1 .. ..
Where is the air bag?
The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When should an air bag inflate?
The air bag is designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal crashes. The air bag will inflate only if the impact speed
is
above the system’s designed “threshold level.” If your vehicle goes straight
into
a wall that doesn’t move or deform, the threshold level is about 14 to 18
mph (23 to 29 kdh). The threshold level can vary, however, with specific
vehicle design,
so that it can be somewhat above or below this range. If your
vehicle strikes something that will move or deform, such
as a parked car, the
threshold level will be higher. The air bag is
not designed to inflate in
rollovers, side impacts, or rear impacts, because inflation woul\
d not help the
occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bag should have
inflated simply because of the damage to
a vehicle or because of what the
repair costs were. Inflation is determined by
the angle of the impact and the
vehicle’s deceleration. Vehicle damage is
only one indication of this.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under a wide range
of
conditions, including off-road usage. Observe safe driving speeds,
especially
on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt. See
“Off-Road Driving” in the Index for more tips on off-road\
driving.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing \
system detects that
the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a crash.
The sensing system triggers a chemical reaction
of the sodium azide sealed
in the inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which inflates the air
bag. The inflator, air bag, and related hardware are all part
of the air bag
module packed inside the steering wheel.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact
the steering wheel. The air bag supplements the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the fo\
rce of
the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping \
the occupant
more gradually. But air bags would not help you
in many types of collisions,
including rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because\
an
occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags should never be
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only\
in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs so quickly that
some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some compone\
nts of
the air bag module in the steering wheel hub will be hot for a short\
time, but
the part
of the bag that comes into contact with you will not be hot to the
touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated
air bag. Air bag inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing\
or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor will it stop people from leaving
the
vehicle.
The air bag is designed to inflate only once. After it inflates, you’ll
need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the
air bag system won’t be there to help protect
you in another crash. A
new system will include the air bag module and possibly other parts.
The service manual for your vehicle covers the need
to replace other
parts.
information about the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the sensors are activated and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Your vehicle is equipped with a diagnostic module, which records
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag system. Improper
service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly.
See
your dealer for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s air bag, it may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag module. Do not
open or break the air bag cover.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities. Although your
vehicle has a number of theft deterrent features,
we know that nothing we
put on it can make it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you can
help.
Key in the lgnition
If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an easy target
for joy riders or professional thieves
- so don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door, you’ll hear a tone
reminding you to remove your key from the ignition and take it with you.
Always do this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your
ignition.
If you have an automatic transmission, taking your key out also
locks your transmission. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out of sight. Put them in a storage
area, or take them
with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition
key? What if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these
guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the first 500
miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or slow - for the first
500 miles (804 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or
so. During this time your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this “breaking-in” guideline
every time
you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during ‘(break-in.” See “Towing a Trailer’’
in the Index for more information.
Ignition Switch
Use your key to start your vehicle. The key lets you turn the ignition switch
to
five different positions.
2
1. OFF
2. RUN
3. START
4. ACC
5. LOCK
ACC (Accessory) - ACC lets you use things like the radio and the
windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To get into ACC, push in the key
and
turn it toward you. Your steering wheel will remain locked, just as it
was before you inserted the key.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I NOTICE:
Don’t operate accessories in the ACC position for long periods
of time. Prolonged operation
of accessories in the ACC position
could drain your battery and prevent you from startiing your
vehicle.
LOCK
- This position locks your ignition, steering wheel and
transmission. It’s a theft deterrent feature.
You will only be able to remove
your key when the ignition
is turned to LOCK.
OFF - This position lets you turn off the engine but still turn the steering
wheel. Use
OFF if you must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is
off (for example, if your vehicle is being pushed).
RUN - This is the position for driving.
START - This starts your engine.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t turn it, be sure
it is all the way in.
If it is, then turn the steering wheel left and
right while you turn the key hard.’But turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your vehicle needs
service.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Horn
. *,. ..
To sound the horn,
press anywhere on the
pad on
the steering
wheel.
Tilt Wheel (Option)
If you have the tilt
steering wheel, you
should adjust the
steering wheel before
you drive.
You can raise it to the highest level to give your legs more room when you
enter and exit the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the lever. Move t\
he
steering wheel to a comfortable level, then release the lever
to lock the
wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get \
your foot up to
the brake pedal. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, you won’t
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows \
or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti\
-lock brakes.
To Use Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and \
let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal. On vehicles with four-wheel drive, your anti-lock brakes
work at all times
-- whether you are in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-\
lock, you
can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can
help you more than even the very best braking.
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is
not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering lips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot
of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news \
happen
on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of
physics when driving on curves. The traction
of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible
for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in
the same direction.
If you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll
understand this.
The traction you can get
in a curve depends on the condition of your tires
and
the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly
accelerate. Both control systems
- steering and acceleration - have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding the sudden acceleration
can demand too much
of those places. You can lose control.
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