
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to remind you to fasten your safety
belts. For more information, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to ensure the circuit is functional.
Also illuminates if the parking brake
is engaged. If the brake warning
lamp does not illuminate at these times, seek service immediately.
Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid
level and the brake system should be inspected immediately.
!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
12

²PANEL & FLOOR-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel
registers and the floor ducts.
²FLOOR-Allows for maximum heating. Distributes outside air through
the floor ducts.
²FLOOR & DEF-Distributes outside air through the floor ducts and the
windshield defroster ducts.
²DEF
-Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster
ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.
Operating tips
²In humid weather conditions, place the climate control system in
DEF before driving. This will reduce fogging on your windshield. Once
the windshield has been cleared, operate the climate control system as
desired.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in cold weather
conditions, do not drive with the climate control system in the OFF
position.
²Under normal weather conditions, your vehicle's climate control
system should be left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF
when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº
through the outside air inlet duct.
²Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle's climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
²Don't put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats (if equipped).
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area at the
base of the windshield.
Controls and features
61

²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Avoid placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These
objects may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in
addition to damaging the climate control system.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel, as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Manual heating and air conditioning system (if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air circulated
in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
Mode selector control
Controls the direction of the airflow
to the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor can operate in all modes except PANEL
and FLOOR. However, the air conditioning will only function if the
outside temperature is about 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher.
HI
COOL WARM
OFFPANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEFFLR
& DEFMAX
A/C
PANEL &
FLOORLO
HI LO
COOL WARM
OFFPANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEFFLR
& DEFMAX
A/C
PANEL &
FLOOR
Controls and features
62

Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under
the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is noisier
than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the vehicle
faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This mode
can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
²PANEL -Distributes outside air through the instrument panel registers.
However, the air will not be cooled below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
²PANEL &FLOOR-Distributes outside air through the instrument panel
registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning capabilities
are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort, when the
temperature control knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full
cold positions, the air distributed through the floor ducts will be
slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel registers.
²FLOOR -Allows for maximum heating by distributing outside air
through the floor ducts. However, the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²FLOOR & DEFROST ±Distributes outside air through the windshield
defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added customer comfort,
the air distributed through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than
the air sent to the windshield defroster ducts. If the temperature is
about 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically
dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
²DEF
(Defrost)-Distributes outside air through the windshield
defroster ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.
If the temperature is about 6ÉC (43ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner
will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Controls and features
63

Operating tips
²In humid weather conditions, place the climate control system in
DEF before driving. This will reduce fogging on your windshield. Once
the windshield has been cleared, operate the climate control system as
desired.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in cold weather
conditions, don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF or
MAX A/C position.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in warm weather
conditions, don't drive with the climate control system in the OFF
position.
²Under normal weather conditions, your vehicle's climate control
system should be left in any position other than MAX A/C or OFF
when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº
through the outside air inlet duct.
²Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle's climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during warm
weather conditions, the air conditioner will perform more efficiently in
cooling the vehicle if driven for two or three minutes with the
windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been ªaired outº, operate the climate
control system as desired.
²Do not put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats (if equipped).
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area at the
base of teh windhsield.
²Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Controls and features
64

Avoid placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These
objects may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in
addition to damaging the climate control system.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select PANEL & FLOOR
2. Set the temperature control to full heat
3. Set the fan speed to HI
4. Direct the outer panel vents towards to side windows
To increase airflow to the outer panel vents, close the central panel
vents.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel, as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH
This switch must be used to
deactivate the passenger air bag
whenever a child seat is used in the
right front or center front passenger
seat position. Refer toPassenger
air bag ON/OFF switchin the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
PASSENGER AIRBAG
ON
OFF OFF
Controls and features
65

Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the air bag has deployed,the air bag will not function
again and must be replaced immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors, passenger air bag deactivation
switch and diagnostic monitor (RCM)
²a readiness light and tone,
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The RCM (restraints control module) monitors its own internal circuits
and the supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the
passenger air bag deactivation switch, the impact sensors, the system
wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air bag back up power and
the air bag ignitors).
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses readiness lights in the instrument cluster and the
passenger air bag deactivate switch or a tone to indicate the condition of
the system. Refer to theAir bag readinesssection in the
Instrumentationchapter orPassenger air bag deactivate switch
section in this chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness lights will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness lights will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
Seating and safety restraints
116

Always transport children who are 12 and younger in the rear
seat. Always use safety belts and child restraints properly. If a
child in a rear facing infant seat must be transported in front, the
passenger air bagmustbe turned OFF. This is because the back of the
infant seat is too close to the inflating air bag and the risk of a fatal
injury to the infant when the air bag inflates is substantial.
The vast majority of drivers and passengers are much safer with an air
bag than without. To do their job and reduce the risk of life threatening
injuries, air bags must open with great force, and this force can pose a
potentially deadly risk in some situations, particularly when a front seat
occupant is not properly buckled up. The most effective way to reduce
the risk of unnecessary air bag injuries without reducing the overall
safety of the vehicle is to make sure all occupants are properly
restrained in the vehicle, especially in the front seat. This provides the
protection of safety belts and permits the air bags to provide the
additional protection they were designed to provide. If you choose to
deactivate your air bag, you are losing the very significant risk reducing
benefits of the air bag and you are also reducing the effectiveness of the
safety belts, because safety belts in modern vehicles are designed to
work as a safety system with the air bags.
Read all air bag Warning labels in the vehicle as well as the other
important air bag instructions and Warnings in this Owner's Guide.
NHTSA deactivation criteria (excluding Canada)
1.Infant.An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat
because:
²the vehicle has no rear seat;
²the vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate a rear-facing
infant seat; or
²the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant's
physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front so that
the driver can constantly monitor the child's condition.
Seating and safety restraints
120