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²(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.
Operating tips
² In humid weather, selectbefore driving. This will reduce fogging
on your windshield. After a few minutes, select any desired position.
² To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
climate control system in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
² NOTE:Do not put objects under the front seat that will interfere with
the airflow to the back seats.
² Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area at the
base of the windshield.
² If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
² Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects
can block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your
windshield. Also, avoid placing small objects on top of your
instrument panel. These objects can fall down into the
defroster outlets and block airflow and possibly damage your
climate control system.
WARNING: Do not place objects on top of the instrument
panel, as these objects may become projectiles in a collision or
sudden stop.
Controls and features
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Push control to lower head restraint.
Folding down rear seats1. Raise the rear seat head restraint and remove.
2. Place the head restraints under the front passenger seat for storage.
3. Pull the seat release control.
Seating and safety restraints
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WARNING: After any vehicle collision, the safety belt system
at all outboard seating positions (except driver, which has no
ªautomatic locking retractorº feature) must be checked by a
qualified technician to verify that the ªautomatic locking
retractorº feature for child seats is still functioning properly. In
addition, all safety belts should be checked for proper function.
WARNING: BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE
REPLACED if the safety belt assembly ªautomatic locking
retractorº feature or any other safety belt function is not
operating properly when checked according to the procedures in
Workshop Manual.
WARNING: Failure to replace the Belt and Retractor assembly
could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
Combination lap and shoulder belts 1. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle (the buckle
closest to the direction the
tongue is coming from) until
you hear a snap and feel it
latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened in the buckle.
2. To unfasten, push the release button and remove the tongue
from the buckle.
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The front and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front passenger and rear seat
outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes described below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
The vehicle sensitive mode is the normal retractor mode, allowing free
shoulder belt length adjustment to your movements and locking in
response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes
suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of
approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the combination safety belts will
lock to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers.
Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt.
The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
When to use the automatic locking mode
²Any time a child safety seat is installed in a passenger front or
outboard rear seating position (if equipped). Children 12 years old and
under should be properly restrained in the rear seat whenever
possible. Refer to Safety Restraints for Children orSafety Seats for
Children later in this chapter.
How to use the automatic locking mode
²Buckle the combination lap and
shoulder belt.
Seating and safety restraints
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Installing child safety seats in combination lap and shoulder belt
seating positions
The rear seat head restraints must be removed when using a child
seat.WARNING: Air bags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
NEVER place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active air
bag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front
seat, move the seat all the way back.
1. Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap
and shoulder belt.
WARNING: Children 12 and under should be properly
restrained in the rear seat whenever possible, the back seat
environment is generally safer. 2. Pull down on the shoulder belt and then grasp the shoulder
belt and lap belt together.
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7. Pull the lap belt portion acrossthe child seat toward the buckle
and pull up on the shoulder belt
while pushing down with your
knee on the child seat.
8. Allow the safety belt to retract to remove any slack in the belt.
9. Before placing the child in the seat, forcibly tilt the seat
forward and back to make sure
the seat is securely held in
place.
10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more
belt out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat
steps two through nine.
Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.
Attaching child safety seats with tether straps
Most new forward-facing child safety seats include a tether strap which
goes over the back of the seat and hooks to an anchoring point. Tether
straps are available as an accessory for many older safety seats. Contact
the manufacturer of your child seat for information about ordering a
tether strap.
The rear seats of your vehicle are equipped with built-in tether strap
anchors located behind the seats as described below.
The tether anchors in your vehicle are located on the roof panel in the
cargo area.
Seating and safety restraints
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Cleaning seats equipped with side air bags
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Follow the directions that come with
the cleaner. Do not saturate the seat cover with upholstery cleaner.WARNING: Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents
when cleaning the seat where the side air bag is mounted. Such
products could contaminate the side air bag system and affect
performance of the side air bag in a collision. The air bag may
not function correctly and not provide injury reduction
benefits.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection. WARNING: Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents
when cleaning the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid
contamination of the air bag system. The air bag may not
function correctly and not provide the injury reduction
benefits.
Cleaning the overhead console
Clean with a damp cloth, then wipe dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the console. The dull
finish in this area helps protect the driver from undesirable windshield
reflection.
Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Do not use household or glass cleaners.
These agents can stain and discolor the fabric. Use a mild soap and
water solution if necessary.
Maintenance and care
210