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4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push
down on the child restraint. If you're using a
forward
-facing child restraint, you may find it
helpful to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's
safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger
child passenger.
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Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap
-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
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:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
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. If the
child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very
close to the child's face or neck, you might want to
place the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your
vehicle has one.
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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.
Wherever the child sits, 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
(if your vehicle has one) 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.
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.
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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.
To lock your door from
the inside, slide the lock
control down.
To unlock the door, slide the lock control up.
Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Push the switch marked
LOCK to lock both doors
at once.
Push the switch marked UNLOCK to unlock both doors.
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Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light (Option)
When the key is turned to
RUN or START, a light will
come on for about eight
seconds to remind people
to fasten their safety belts.
Safety Belt Reminder Tone (Option)
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a tone will
sound for about eight seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts.
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CAUTION:
If your vehicle has an electric/hydraulic parking
brake, do not drive if the charging system light is
on. If the battery drains too much, the parking
brake can suddenly come on and stop the vehicle.
This can cause severe injury to you and others.
The charging system light is
located in the center of the
instrument cluster just
above the odometer.
It should come on briefly when you turn on the ignition,
before the engine is running, as a check to show that it
is working.If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, have it
checked right away. You could have a loose generator
drive belt or some other problem.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery. If
you must drive a short distance with the light on, turn
off your radio and other accessories.
Sustained driving with a generator failure could result in
a lack of back
-up braking if the engine quits or the
power steering pump should fail.
Voltmeter
When your engine is
running, the voltmeter gage,
at the lower left of the
instrument cluster, shows
the charging system voltage.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
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