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Larger ChildrenChildren who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.
Children who aren't buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.
Children who aren't buckled up can strike other
people who are.
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CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can't properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured. A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window,
move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If
the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger
position, move the child toward the safety belt
buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt
still is on the child's shoulder, so that in a crash the
child's upper body would have the restraint that
belts provide.
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CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt's force would then be applied right on the
child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
The lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug
on the hips, just touching the child's thighs. This applies
belt force to the child's pelvic bones in a crash.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
If the frontal air bags inflate, you'll also need to replace
the driver's and right front passenger's safety belt
buckle assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new buckle
assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision.
Page 53 of 362

2-
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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 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-7 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
2
-11 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-15 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-17 PASS-Key III
2
-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-31 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-32 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-32 Engine Exhaust
2
-33 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-34 Windows
2
-35 Tilt Wheel
2
-36 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-43 Exterior Lamps
2
-47 Interior Lamps
2
-49 Mirrors
2
-53 Storage Compartments
2
-56 Sun Visors
2
-57 Sunroof (Option)
2
-58 Universal Transmitter (Option)
2
-62 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-67 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-78 Driver Information Center (DIC)
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Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving 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. If they
turned the ignition to ACC or ON and moved the
shift lever out of PARK (P), that would release
the parking brake. Don't leave the keys in a
vehicle with children.
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Master Key Valet Key
There is a master key that works in all of the lock
cylinders (driver's door, trunk, ignition and glove box).
There is also a valet key which only operates the
driver's door and the ignition.Both the master and valet keys have a transponder
embedded into the key for security and theft deterrence.
The keys also come with a bar code tag. Keep the bar
code tag in a safe place. If you lose your key you will be
able to have a new one made using the bar code tag.
The replacement key must have a transponder embedded
in it.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. You can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your key inside and you may have to damage
your vehicle to get in. Be sure you have an
extra key.
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Door Locks
CAUTION:
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.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use either the key or the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.Because your vehicle has the theft
-deterrent system, you
must unlock the doors with the key or RKE transmitter
to avoid setting off the alarm.
The manual lock is on the
top of the door panel near
the window. Push the
manual lock lever down to
lock the door from the
inside. To unlock the door,
raise the lock lever.
Central Door Unlocking System
When unlocking the driver's door, you can unlock the
other doors by holding the key in the turned position for
a few seconds or by quickly turning the key twice in the
lock cylinder.