1-27
For moderate frontal impacts, these air bags inflate at a
level less than full deployment. For more severe frontal
impacts, full deployment occurs. If the front of your
vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn't move or
deform, the threshold level for the reduced deployment
is about 10 to 16 mph (18 to 26 km/h), and the
threshold level for a full deployment is about
18 to 24 mph (29 to 38.5 km/h). 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 driver's and right front passenger's frontal air bags
are not designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts,
or rear impacts, because inflation would not help
the occupant.
The side impact air bags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe side crashes. A side impact air bag
will inflate if the crash severity is above the system's
designed ªthreshold level.º The threshold level can vary
with specific vehicle design. Side impact air bags are not
designed to inflate in frontal or near
-frontal impacts,
rollovers or rear impacts, because inflation would not
help the occupant. A side impact air bag will only
deploy on the side of the vehicle that is struck.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.
For frontal air bags, inflation is determined by the angle
of the impact and how quickly the vehicle slows down
in frontal and near
-frontal impacts. For side impact air
bags, inflation is determined by the location and severity
of the impact.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both
frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system
triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates
the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related hardware
are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering
wheel, instrument panel and the side of the front
seatbacks closest to the door.
1-28
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel
or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal
air bags would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts, and side impacts,
primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward
the air bag. Side impact air bags would not help you
in many types of collisions, including frontal or near
frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily
because an occupant's motion is not toward those air
bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near
-frontal collisions for
the driver's and right front passenger's frontal air bags,
and only in moderate to severe side collisions for the
driver's and right front passenger's side impact air bags.What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, the instrument
panel for the right front passenger's bag, the side of the
seatback closest to the door for the driver and right front
passenger's side impact air bags
-- will be hot for a short
time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn't prevent the
driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle,
nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can't get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or a door.
1-29
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock
the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air
bags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock
the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using
the door lock and interior lamp controls.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag 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 air bag modules
and possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic frontal
sensor, which helps the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. Your vehicle is also equipped
with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which
records information about the frontal air bag system. The module records information about the readiness
of the system, when the system commands air bag
inflation and driver's safety belt usage at
deployment. The module also records speed, engine
rpm, brake and throttle data.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air
bag systems. Improper service can mean that an
air bag system won't work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the right front passenger's air bag, or the
air bag covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger's air bag, or both the air bag
module and seatback for the driver's and right
front passenger's side impact air bag. Do not
open or break the air bag coverings.
2-
2-1
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 Windows
2
-6 Keys
2
-8 Door Locks
2
-11 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-14 Trunk
2
-17 Theft
2
-18 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-20 PASS-Key III
2
-22 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-22 Ignition Positions
2
-24 Starting Your Engine
2
-25 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-27 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-31 Parking Brake
2
-33 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-35 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-35 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-36 Engine Exhaust2
-36 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-37 Tilt Wheel
2
-38 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-46 Exterior Lamps
2
-51 Interior Lamps
2
-53 Mirrors
2
-57 Storage Compartments
2
-59 Sun Visors
2
-65 Sunroof (Option)
2
-66 HomeLink Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-70 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-75 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-89 Driver Information Center (DIC)
2
-100 Vehicle Programming and Personalization
Features (If Equipped)
2
-108 Navigation (Option)
2
-109 Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) (Option)
2-12
Operation
When you press
this button to unlock the
driver's door, the parking
lamps on your vehicle will
flash twice.
Pressing this button again within one to five seconds
will unlock the other doors. Pressing this button will
also disarm the theft
-deterrent system and turn on the
interior lamps at night. (You can program your vehicle
so the parking lamps will not flash. For more
information, see ªVehicle Programming and
Personalization Featuresº in the Index.)
When you press this button to lock the doors, the
parking lamps will flash once and the horn will sound
once. This also arms the theft
-deterrent system when the
ignition is turned off. (You can program your vehicle so
the parking lamps will not flash and/or the horn will not
sound. For more information, see ªVehicle
Programming and Personalization Featuresº in
the Index.)
Press this button to open the trunk. (The valet
lockout switch must be in the OFF position.)
Press this button to open the fuel door. (The valet
lockout switch must be in the OFF position.)
The numbers on the back of the RKE transmitter
correspond to Driver 1 and Driver 2. See ªVehicle
Programming and Personalization Features º in the
Index. Remote confirmation is not operational if any
door is open.
The RKE transmitter can also be used to recall the
memory seats for up to two drivers. For more
information, see ªMemory Seat, Mirrors and Steering
Wheelº in the Index.
2-17
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 Ignition
If you leave 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 chime 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 and transaxle. 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
Even if you park in a lot where someone will be
watching your vehicle, it's still best to lock it up and
take your keys. But what if you have to leave your
ignition key?
If possible, park in a busy, well
-lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.
Close all windows.
Move the valet lockout switch to ON.
Lock all doors except the driver's.
Give the valet key to the valet. Then take the master
key with you.
2-22
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 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 ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the
ignition switch located
on the instrument panel,
you can turn the key to
four different positions:
OFF: This position lets you turn off the engine and
remove the key. This position also locks the steering
wheel and transaxle.
2-23
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? 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.
ACC: This position lets you use things like the radio,
windshield wipers, power windows and sunroof (option)
when the engine is off. Use ACC if you must have your
vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for example, if
your vehicle is being pushed or towed).
ON: This is the position for driving.
START: This position starts the engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned from
ON to OFF:
Cellular Phone (If Equipped)
Radio
Power Windows
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Sunroof (Option)
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes or if
any door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, close all the doors and turn the ignition key
to ON and then back to OFF. If the cellular phone is
being used while retained accessory power is active, the
timer is suspended (to avoid interruption of the call).
The timer resets to 10 minutes at the end of the call.