Page 32 of 360

1-26
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. 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 and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.
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.
Page 35 of 360
1-29
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The positions next to the windows have lap
-shoulder
belts. Here's how to wear one properly.
1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don't let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across
you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the
latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt is not long enough, see ªSafety Belt
Extenderº at the end of this section. Make sure the
release button on the buckle is positioned so you
would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if you ever had to.
Page 47 of 360

1-41
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.
Q:How do child restraints work?
A:A child restraint system is any device designed for
use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position
children. A built
-in child restraint system is a
permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add
-on
child restraint system is a portable one, which is
purchased by the vehicle's owner.
For many years, add
-on child restraints have
used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help
reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to
be secured within the restraint. The vehicle's belt
system secures the add
-on child restraint in the
vehicle, and the add
-on child restraint's harness
system holds the child in place within the restraint.
One system, the three
-point harness, has straps
that come down over each of the infant's shoulders
and buckle together at the crotch. The five
-point
harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip
straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the
place of hip straps. A T
-shaped shield has shoulder
straps that are attached to a flat pad which rests low
against the child's body. A shelf
- or armrest-type
shield has straps that are attached to a wide,
shelf
-like shield that swings up or to the side.
Page 58 of 360
1-52
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.
Page 62 of 360

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 Remote Keyless Entry (If Equipped)
2
-13 Trunk
2
-16 Theft
2
-17 Content Theft Security System (If Equipped)
2
-18 Passlock
2-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-22 Starting Your Engine
2
-25 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-27 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-30 Manual Transaxle Operation
2
-33 Parking Brake
2
-34 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-36 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)2
-36 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)
2
-37 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-37 Engine Exhaust
2
-38 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
2
-39 Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
2
-39 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-45 Exterior Lamps
2
-48 Interior Lamps
2
-49 Mirrors
2
-52 Storage Compartments
2
-53 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped)
2
-53 Sun Visors
2
-55 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-56 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-58 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-60 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
Page 63 of 360
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
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
Page 64 of 360

2-3 Power Windows (If Equipped)
The switches on the center console control each of the
power windows when the ignition is on. In addition, on
four
-door models, each rear passenger door has a
control switch for its own window.
To lower a window, press and hold the rear of the
switch. To raise the window, press and hold the
switch forward.Auto Down Window
The driver's window switch has an auto
-down feature.
The driver's window can be opened to the desired
position by pressing the rear of the switch to the first
detent. To use the auto
-down feature, press the rear of
the switch all the way down. The window will continue
going down until fully opened.
To stop the window while it is lowering, briefly press
the switch forward, then release it.
Lock
-Out Switch
Four
-door models also have a lock-out switch. Press the
lock
-out switch to disable the rear passenger's power
window switches. This will prevent rear passengers from
opening and closing the windows. The driver can still
control all windows with the switch in the lock position.
Press the lock
-out switch again to enable the passenger's
window switches.
Page 65 of 360
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.