Page 30 of 356

1-24
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. Air bags supplement 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 air bags would
not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and many side 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.
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, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's
bag
-- 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 vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or from
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 door.
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 they
inflate, 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.
Page 40 of 356
1-34
A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for
the child's body with the harness and also sometimes
with surfaces such as T
-shaped or shelf-like shields.
A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle's safety belt system. Some
booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some
high
-back booster seats have a five-point harness. A
booster seat can also help a child to see out the window.
Page 54 of 356

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
2-4 Keys
2-6 Door Locks
2-8 Keyless Entry System (Option)
2-13 Hatch
2-15 Theft
2-16 Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm
System (Option)
2
-27 PASS-Key II
2
-29 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-29 Ignition Positions
2-32 Starting Your Engine
2-35 Engine Coolant Heater (Canada Only)
2-36 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-39 Manual Transmission Operation
2-44 Parking Brake
2-46 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-48 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-48 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
2
-49 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-49 Engine Exhaust
2-50 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-51 Limited-Slip Rear Axle
2-51 Tilt Wheel
2-52 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-58 Exterior Lamps
2-61 Interior Lamps
2-62 Mirrors
2-64 Storage Compartments
2
-68 T-Top Roof Panels (Option)
2
-75 Convertible Top (If Equipped)
2
-82 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-86 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Page 55 of 356
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.
Manual Windows
Turn the window crank handle to open and close
each window.
Page 56 of 356
2-3
Power Windows (Option)
Switches on the driver's door control each window
when the ignition is on or when Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active. See ªRetained Accessory Power
(RAP)º in the Index.The switch for the driver's window has an express
-down
feature and is labeled AUTO. To lower the driver's
window completely, press the bottom of the switch
briefly and release it. To open the window partially,
activate the express
-down feature and press the top of
the switch when the window has lowered to the position
you want.
You can open the passenger's window any amount by
pressing the bottom of the switch for the passenger's
window and releasing it when the window has lowered
to the position you want.
To raise the window, press and hold the top of
the switch.
Page 57 of 356
2-4
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
Don't leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
Page 66 of 356

2-13
Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by the remote keyless entry system.
The transmitter does not send the same signal twice to
the receiver. The receiver will not respond to a signal
that has been sent previously. This prevents anyone
from recording and playing back the signal from
the transmitter.
To resynchronize the transmitter with the receiver,
do the following:
1. Stand close to the vehicle.
2. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons
on the transmitter at the same time for about
eight seconds.
The door locks should cycle and the interior lamps
should flash to confirm resynchronization.
If this does not happen, you may need to replace the
battery in your transmitter or match the transmitter to
your vehicle. See ªMatching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicleº in the Index.
Hatch
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the hatch open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can't see or smell CO. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the hatch open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the hatch:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on vent. That will force outside air into
your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in
the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Page 69 of 356

2-16 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.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver's.
Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
Content Theft-Deterrent/Alarm
System (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, it has a theft-deterrent
alarm system. Once armed, the system will sound
the horn and flash the parking lamps if the vehicle is
broken into.
Arming the System
The alarm system can be armed to detect break-ins by
locking your vehicle with the remote keyless entry
transmitter or by locking the doors with the power door
lock switch.
Passive arming is also available if you would like the
system to arm all by itself after the doors have been
closed for a short time. When the system is armed, a red
light located on top of the instrument panel will flash
briefly once every two seconds. If you return to your
vehicle and the red light is flashing two brief flashes
every two seconds, the system is armed and the shock
sensor had triggered a two minute alarm. If the red light
is flashing three times every two seconds, the system is
armed and there was an intrusion that sounded the
alarm. Horn chirps and parking lamp flashes can be
customized to your preference. See ªFeature
Customizationº in the Index.