Page 20 of 364
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To fold either seatback down:
1. Remove the head restraints. See “Rear Head
Restraint Removal” earlier in this section.
2. Remove the rear center lap-shoulder belt latch by
using a key to press the release button.
3. Pull the release on the
driver’s side in the
trunk. (Repeat the
procedure for the other
side if
you do not have a
built-in child restraint.)
4. Fold the seatback down.
Page 35 of 364

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the
mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more
likely that the fetus won’t be hurt
in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making
safety belts effective is wearing them properly.
Right Front Passenger Positi(- -I
To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s
safety belt properly, see “Driver Position” earlier in
this section.
The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same
way as the driver’s safety belt
-- except for one thing. If
you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the
way,
you will engage the child restraint locking feature.
If this happens, just let the belt
go back all the way and
start again.
Air Bag Systems
This part explains the frontal and side impact air
bag systems.
Your vehicle has air bags
-- a “Next Generation”
reduced-force frontal air bag for
the driver and another
“Next Generation” reduced-force frontal air bag for the
right front passenger. Reduced-force frontal air bags are designed
to help reduce the risk of injury from the force
of an inflating frontal air bag. But even these air bags
must inflate
very quickly if they are to do their job and
comply with federal regulations. Your vehicle may also
have side impact air bags
-- a side impact air bag for the
driver and another side impact air bag for the right
front passenger.
If your vehicle has side impact air bags, it will say
SRS
- SIDE AIRBAG on a label on the side of the
driver’s and right front passenger’s seat closest to
the door.
1-21
Page 43 of 364

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined. If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the
frontal and side impact air bags inflate and safety belt
pretensioners activate, even if there’s
no crash. You
would have to replace the air bags, all the sensors and
related parts, parts of the safety belt system and parts of
the driver and right front passenger’s seatbacks.
If your
vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed to water that
soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless repair costs by
turning off the vehicle immediately. Don’t let anyone
start the vehicle, even to tow it, unless the battery cables
are first disconnected.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several
places around your vehicle. Your dealer and the
Prizm Service Manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the air bag systems. To purchase a
service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications”
in the Index.
1
For up to 90 seconds after the ignition key is
’ turned off and the battery disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
The air bag systems should be inspected by a qualified
technician
10 years from the manufacture date on the
Certification label. After
10 years from the manufacture
date, have the systems inspected every
24 months. (The
Certification label is located at the rear edge of the
driver’s door.)
1-29
Page 79 of 364

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine a Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell
you if everything is
working properly -- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2 2-4
2-6
2-9
2-10 2-1
1
2-1 1
2-13 2- 14
2-18
2-20
2-2 1
2-23
2-24 Keys
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
Trunk
Theft
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Switch
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Manual Transaxle Operation
Parking Brake
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle Only) Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust 2-24
2-25
2-26
2-26
2-27
2-32
2-34
2-3
5
2-37
2-38
2-3
8
2-39
2-40
2-45 Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
Windows
Horn
Tilt Column (Option)
Turn Signalhlultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Lighter
Sun Visors
Sunroof (Option)
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1
Page 80 of 364
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Keys
1-
A CAUTION:
I
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls
or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
T, :,. .,. ,* ..'! ,, '
2-2
Page 81 of 364
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Both keys are used for
the ignition, the doors
and all other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes
the metal plate from the key ring and gives it to the
first owner. The
metal plate has a code on it that tells your dealer or
a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
code in a safe place. If you lose your key, you’ll be able
to have a new one made easily using this code.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of features that can
help prevent theft. However, you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your key inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have an
extra key.
2-3
Page 82 of 364

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Door Locks
Irn
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when
you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be
so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be
far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
Insert the key in either front door and turn the key
toward the rear
of the car to unlock the door.
If your vehicle has power door locks, turn the key once
to unlock the driver’s door only. Turn the key back
toward
the center, then toward the rear again to unlock
all the
doors. Using the key in the passenger’s door will
unlock all the doors.
To lock the door from the
inside, push down the
button on the door.
There are several ways
to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key. To lock the door, turn
the key toward the front of the car. If you have power
door locks, all the doors will lock.
To unlock the door, pull up on the button.
2-4
Page 84 of 364

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside when this feature
is in use.
If you want to open a rear door when the security lock
is on:
1. Unlock the door from the inside.
2. Then open the door from the outside.
If you don’t cancel the security lock feature, adults and
older children who ride in the rear won’t be able to open
the rear door from the inside. You should let adults and
older children know how these security locks work, and
how to cancel the locks.
To cancel one of these locks:
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open the door
from the outside.
2. Slide the lever up.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear door locks will now work normally.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your key, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors from about
3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m)
away using the remote keyless entry transmitter supplied
with your vehicle.
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio frequency
subject
to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
2-6