1-29
When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near
-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate
only if the impact speed is above the system's designed
ªthreshold level.º If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level
is about 9 to 13 mph (14 to 21 km/h). The threshold
level can vary, however, with specific vehicle design,
so that it can be somewhat above or below this range.
If your vehicle strikes something that will move or
deform, such as a parked car, the threshold level will
be higher. The air bag is not designed to inflate in
rollovers, rear impacts, or in many side impacts
because inflation would not help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact
and how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal
or near
-frontal impacts.
The air bag system is designed to work properly under
a wide range of conditions, including off
-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough terrain.
As always, wear your safety belt. See ªOff
-Road
Drivingº in the Index for more tips on off
-road driving.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.
2-70 Charging System Light
This light will come on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should go out when
the engine starts.
If the light stays on or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the electrical charging
system. It could indicate that you have a loose generator
drive belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
2-74
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake or fuel system of your vehicle or
the replacement of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission controls
and may cause the SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light to come on. Modifications to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. This may also result in a failure to pass
a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
2-75
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine
may not run as efficiently as designed since small
amounts of air are sucked into the fuel line causing a
misfire. The system can detect this. Adding fuel should
correct this condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap
properly. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. It will
take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Climate Control System
3
-3 Air Conditioner Controls
3
-4 Heating
3
-4 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-5 Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
3
-6 Ventilation System
3
-7 Audio Systems3
-7 Setting the Clock
3
-7AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
3
-12 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-12 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-13 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-13 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-13 Fixed Mast Antenna
3-2
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle.
Your vehicle also has the flow
-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Climate Control System
Airflow Lever
(Vent): This position directs the airflow through the
instrument panel vents.
(Bi-level): This position directs air through the
instrument panel vents and toward the floor.
(Floor): This position directs air toward the floor
and through the right and left side vents. The side vents
can be shut off by closing the thumbwheel to allow for
more air to be directed toward the floor.
(Defog): This position directs air toward the floor,
the windshield and side windows. The air also comes
from both vents at the ends of the instrument panel
if the thumbwheel below them is in the open position.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting without pressing A/C.
(Defrost): This position directs air to the
windshield and side windows. The air also comes
from both vents at the ends of the instrument panel
if the thumbwheel below them is in the open position.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting without pressing A/C.
For maximum defrosting and defogging, adjust the
temperature control lever to the hot end, move the
air intake lever to outside air and shut off airflow to
the outside instrument panel vents by closing the
thumbwheels to increase air through the side
defroster vents.
3-3
Fan Lever
Slide the lever located on the upper right side away from
OFF to turn the system on. Move the lever toward the
fan symbol to increase the fan's speed.
Temperature Lever
Slide the lever located on the lower left side to change
the temperature of the air flowing from the system.
Move it to the right for warmer air and to the left for
cooler air. Without air conditioning, the air temperature
cannot be less than the outside air temperature.
Air Intake Lever
(Recirculate): Choose this position to recirculate
the inside air through the comfort control system.
(Outside Air): Choose this position to circulate
outside air through the comfort control system.
Air Conditioner Controls
The air conditioning
system uses the same
controls as described
previously. The function
of each lever is explained
under ªClimate Control
Systemº in this part.
When on, the incoming
air will be cooled
and dehumidified.
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press the A/C button to
change your comfort control system to air conditioning.
A light will come on in the button when the air
conditioning is on. Air conditioning can also control
the humidity in your vehicle.
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the
windows just long enough for the hot air to escape.
3-4
For normal cooling, press the A/C button and slide the
air intake lever to outside air. For faster cooling, slide
the lever to recirculate. Then slide the airflow lever to
vent, the temperature lever toward the left and the fan
lever toward the fan symbol.
On days when it is raining or the humidity is high,
follow these dehumidifying steps to help clean
windows that are cloudy with moisture.
1. Slide the air intake lever to outside air.
2. Slide the airflow lever to defrost and the fan lever
toward the fan symbol.
3. Adjust the temperature lever to a comfortable setting.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
when the airflow lever is in defog or defrost. The A/C
button will illuminate, only if it is pressed, in the defog
or defrost modes.Heating
For the quickest results, slide the air intake lever
to recirculate. Slide the airflow lever to floor, the
temperature lever toward the right for warmer air and
the fan lever toward the fan symbol. You should switch
to outside air once in a while to avoid stale air and
cloudy windows.
Defogging and Defrosting
Slide the air intake lever to outside air and the airflow
lever to defrost to direct air to the windshield vents.
Then slide the temperature lever toward the right and the
fan lever toward the fan symbol. When the windshield is
clear, turn down the fan speed.