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1-59
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown booster seats 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.
Q:What is the proper way to wear safety belts?
A:If possible, an older child should wear a
lap
-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should
not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should fit
snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the
thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen,
which could cause severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike
other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety
belts properly.
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1-60
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. If the child is sitting in a rear seat
outside position, see ªRear Safety Belt Comfort
Guidesº in the Index. 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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1-61
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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1-62
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 or LATCH
system parts?
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 parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the
belt or LATCH system 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 69 of 426

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
-5 Keys
2
-7 Door Locks
2
-10 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
-23 Ignition Positions
2
-25 Starting Your Engine
2
-26 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-28 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-34 Parking Brake
2
-36 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-39 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-39 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-40 Engine Exhaust
2
-40 Running Your Engine While You're Parked2
-41 Tilt Wheel
2
-43 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-50 Exterior Lamps
2
-56 Interior Lamps
2
-59 Mirrors
2
-63 Storage Compartments
2
-67 Rear Power Sunshade (If Equipped)
2
-70 Cellular Telephone (Option)
2
-70 OnStar System (If Equipped)
2
-74 Sunroof (Option)
2
-75 HomeLink Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-78 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-85 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-100 Driver Information Center (DIC)
2
-129 Navigation (Option)
2
-130 Night Vision System (Option)
2
-133 Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) (Option)
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2-2
Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by
the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot weather.
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2-3
Power Windows
The power window switches are located on the armrest
near each window. Press the up or down arrows on the
switches to raise or lower the windows.
Your vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP) that
allows you to use the power windows once the ignition
has been turned off. For more information, see
ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.Express
-Down Window
This feature is on all power windows. Press the down
arrow on the switch to the second position to activate the
express
-down feature. If you want to stop the window as
it is lowering, press the up arrow on the switch once.
Express
-Up Window
This feature is on both front power windows. Press the
up arrow on the switch to the second position to activate
the express
-up feature. If you want to stop the window
as it is raising, press the down arrow on the switch once.
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2-4
Anti-Pinch Feature
If a hand, an arm or another object is above the middle
of the window and is in the path of the window when
the express
-up feature is active, the window will stop
at the obstruction and express
-open to a preset
factory position.
CAUTION:
Pressing and holding the power window control
will turn off the anti
-pinch feature. If this
happens, a power window won't stop if
something gets in the way. You or others could
be injured, and your window could be damaged.
Be careful not to press and hold the power
window control.
Rear Window Lockout
The rear window lockout
button is located below the
power window switches on
the driver's door armrest.
Pressing this button will disable the rear window
controls. The light on the button will illuminate,
indicating that the feature is in use. The rear windows
can be raised or lowered using the driver's window
switches when the lockout feature is active.
To restore power to the rear windows, press the button
again. The light on the button will go out.