
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds. If
the driver’s belt is already
buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will
come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the air bag sensor, the air
bag modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, seeAir Bag
Systems on page 1-67.This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it willflash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should go out.
This means the system is
ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the air bag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
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Charging System Indicator Message
The charging system
battery symbol will come
on in the message
center when you turn on
the ignition as a check
to show you it is working.
It will remain on as long as the engine is not running.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays on,
or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. It could indicate that
you have problems with a generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this indicator appears in the message
center could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner.
Low Oil Pressure Message
Your vehicle is equipped with a low oil pressure warning
message.
Your oil pressure message lets you know when you
may have a problem with your engine oil pressure.
When the engine is running and this message appears,
the engine oil level may be too low. There may also
be another problem causing low oil pressure.
United StatesCanada
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15:The headlamps and parking lamps will stay on for
15 seconds when the ignition is turned to OFF.
30:The headlamps and parking lamps will stay on for
30 seconds when the ignition is turned to OFF.
60:The headlamps and parking lamps will stay on for
60 seconds when the ignition is turned to OFF.
Your vehicle was originally programmed to 30 second
mode. The mode may have been changed since
then. To determine the current mode, or to change the
mode, do the following:
1. Follow the instructions for“Entering Programming
Mode”listed previously.
2. Press the MODE button until HEADLAMP EXIT
DELAY appears in the DIC.
3. Press the SET button until the arrow is before the
mode you prefer.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Interior Lighting Delay
The interior lighting delay feature can be programmed to
one of the following modes:
OFF:This feature will not illuminate the interior of your
vehicle when all of the doors are closed.ON:This feature will continue to illuminate the interior
lamps for 25 seconds after all doors have been
closed so that you canfind your ignition and buckle
your safety belt at night.
Interior lighting delay will not occur while the ignition is
in ON. After 25 seconds, the interior lamps will fade
out. The lamps will fade out before the 25 seconds if:
•The ignition is turned to ON,
•all doors are locked using the remote keyless entry
transmitter, or
•there is no occupant activity detected for an
illumination period of 25 seconds.
Your vehicle was originally programmed to ON. The
mode may have been changed since then. To determine
the current mode, or to change the mode, do the
following:
1. Follow the instructions for“Entering Programming
Mode”listed previously.
2. Press the MODE button until INTERIOR LIGHTING
DELAY appears on the DIC.
3. Press the SET button until the arrow is before ON
or OFF.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
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The cut tape detection feature of your cassette tape
player may identify the cleaning cassette tape as
a damaged tape, in error. If the cleaning cassette ejects,
insert the cassette at least three times to ensure
thorough cleaning.
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to
clean the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will
not eject on its own. A non-scrubbing action cleaner
may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type
cleaner. The use of a non-scrubbing action, dry-type
cleaning cassette is not recommended.
After you clean the player, press and hold the eject
button forfive seconds to reset the CLEAN PLAYER
indicator. The radio will display --- to show the indicator
was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.Care of Your CDs and DVDs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen
a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution
and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the side without writing when
handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer
edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of Your CD and DVD Player
The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to
the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics
with lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
Cleaning Your DVD Player
When cleaning the outside DVD cabinet face and
buttons, use only a clean cloth dampened with clean
water.
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Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Whenever we drive, we’re taking on an important
responsibility. This is true for any motor
vehicle — passenger car, van, truck, sport utility. Driver
behavior, the driving environment, and the vehicle’s
design all affect how well a vehicle performs. But
statistics show that the most important factor, by far, is
how we drive.
Knowing how these three factors work together can help
you understand how your vehicle handles and what
you can do to avoid many types of crashes, including a
rollover crash.
Driver Behavior
The single most important thing is this: everyone in the
vehicle, including the driver, should buckle up. See
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone on page 1-19.In
fact, most serious injuries and fatalities to unbelted
occupants can be reduced or prevented by the use of
safety belts. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person
is signi cantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. In addition, avoiding excessive speed,sudden or abrupt turns and drunken or aggressive
driving can help make trips safer and avoid the
possibility of a crash, especially a rollover crash.
This section provides many useful tips to help you drive
more safely.
Driving Environment
You can also help avoid a rollover or other type of crash
by being prepared for driving in inclement weather, at
night, or during other times where visibility or traction
may be limited (such as on curves, slippery roads or hilly
terrain). Unfamiliar surroundings can also have hidden
hazards.
To help you learn more about driving in different
conditions, this section contains information about city,
freeway and off-road driving, as well as other hints
for driving in various weather conditions.
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