Page 60 of 341
1-54
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 87 of 341
2-24
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located
on the console between
the seats.PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Page 135 of 341

3-4 Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
For normal cooling on hot days, after the vehicle has
started to cool down, use the vent mode with the
temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C button
pressed. The system will bring in outside air and cool it.
On very hot days, begin by opening the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down, which should
help fuel economy.
For quicker cool
-down on very hot days, use the vent
mode with the temperature knob all the way in the blue
area and the A/C button pressed. Begin with the outside
air button pressed for a few minutes, or until the vehicle
begins to feel cool. Then press the recirculation button. If
the recirculation setting is used for long periods of time,
the air in your vehicle may become too dry.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use bi
-level mode with the temperature knob in
the middle and the A/C button pressed. The system will
bring in outside air and direct slightly warmer air to
your lower body.
Heating
On cold days, use floor mode and outside air with the
temperature knob all the way in the red area. The system
will bring in outside air, heat it and send it to the
floor outlets.
Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward
the rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats clear
of obstructions so the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside (0F (
-18C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant in your engine and heating
system that is used to provide heat. See ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Page 138 of 341

3-7
Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and the area around the windshield
wipers free of ice, snow or any other obstruction,
such as leaves. The heater and defroster will work
far better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside
of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects, to help air circulate throughout your vehicle.
When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle is
encountered, the recirculation setting can prevent the
odor from being drawn into the vehicle through the
ventilation system. For example, this usage of
recirculation can be helpful when driving through a
long tunnel with poor ventilation. However,
extended usage of recirculation in cold or cool
weather can cause window fogging.
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all of its controls to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.
Page 193 of 341
4-33
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
Page 286 of 341
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Instrument Panel Fuse Block -- Driver's Side
Fuse Usage
A Wipers
B Trunk Release and Remote
Keyless Entry
C Turn Signals
D Power Mirrors
E Air Bag
F Body Function Control ModuleFuse Usage
G Powertrain Control
Module (PCM)
H Door Locks
J Body Function Control
Module/Instrument Panel Cluster
MICRO RELAY
TRUNK RELRemote Trunk Release
CIRCUIT BRKR
PWR SEATSPower Seats
MICRO RELAY
DR UNLOCKDoor Locks
MICRO RELAY
DR LOCKDoor Locks
MICRO RELAY
DRIVERS
DR UNLOCKDoor Locks
STOP LPS Stoplamps
HAZARD LPS Hazard Lamps
IPC/HVAC
BATTCluster, Climate Control
Page 288 of 341
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Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver's side of the vehicle, near the engine air
cleaner/filter. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in
the Index for more information on location.
Maxifuse Usage
1 Ignition Switch
2 Right Electrical Center
-Fog Lamps,
Radio, Body Function Control Module,
Interior Lamps Maxifuse Usage
3 Left Electrical Center
-Stoplamps, Hazard
Lamps, Body Function Control Module,
Cluster, Climate Control System
4 Anti
-Lock Brakes
5 Ignition Switch
6 Not Used
7 Left Electrical Center
-Power Seats,
Power Mirrors, Door Locks, Trunk
Release and Remote Lock Control
8 Cooling Fan #1
Mini Relay Usage
9 Rear Defogger
10 Not Used
11 Not Used
12 Cooling Fan #1
13 HVAC Blower (Climate Control)
14 Cooling Fan #2
15 Cooling Fan