When Should an Air Bag In¯ate?
An air bag is designed to in¯ate in a moderate to severe
frontal, or near-frontal crash. The air bag will in¯ate
only if the impact speed is above the system's designed
©threshold level©. If your vehicle goes straight into a
wall that doesn't move or deform, the threshold level is
about 9 to 16 mph (14 to 26 km/h). The threshold
level can vary, however, with speci®c 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 in¯ate in rollovers,
rear impacts, or in many side impacts because in¯ation
would not help the occupant.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have in¯ated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
In¯ation 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
Off-Road
Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle on
page 4-14
for more tips on off-road driving.
What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?
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
in¯ator, which in¯ates the air bag. The in¯ator, 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.
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This switch should only be turned to AIR BAG OFF if
the person in the right front passenger's position is
a member of a passenger risk group identi®ed by the
national government as follows:
Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old)
must ride in the front seat because:
·
my vehicle has no rear seat;
·my vehicle has a rear seat too small to
accommodate a rear-facing infant seat; or
·the infant has a medical condition which, according
to the infant's physician, makes it necessary for the
infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the child's condition.
Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must
ride in the front seat because:
·
my vehicle has no rear seat;
·although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear
seat(s) whenever possible, children ages 1 to
12 sometimes must ride in the front because no
space is available in the rear seat(s) of my vehicle;
or
·the child has a medical condition which, according
to the child's physician, makes it necessary for the
child to ride in the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the child's condition.
Medical Condition. A passenger has a
medical condition which, according to his
or her physician:
·
causes the passenger air bag to pose a special risk
for the passenger; and
·makes the potential harm from the passenger air
bag in a crash greater than the potential harm
from turning off the air bag and allowing the
passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or
windshield in a crash.
{CAUTION:
If the right front passenger's air bag is turned
off for a person who isn't in a risk group
identi®ed by the national government, that
person won't have the extra protection of an
air bag. In a crash, the air bag wouldn't be able
to in¯ate and help protect the person sitting
there. Don't turn off the passenger's air bag
unless the person sitting there is in a risk
group. See ªAir Bag Off Switchº in the Index.
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Temperature and Compass Display
The outside air temperature and the compass are
displayed at the front of the overhead console. The
buttons are located to the left of the display.ON/OFF:Press this button to turn the display on or off..
US/MET:Press this button for the temperature to be
displayed in either degrees Farenheit (English) or
Celsius (metric).
Before you turn on the ignition and move the vehicle,
the temperature indicated will be the last outside
temperature recorded with the ignition on.
If the outside temperature is 37ÉF (3ÉC) or lower when
you turn on the ignition, the word ICE will appear
on the display. This is a warning to the driver that road
conditions may be icy, and that appropriate precautions
should be taken.
The compass is self-calibrating, so it does not need to
be manually set. However, when your vehicle is new, the
compass may function erratically. If it does, CAL
(Calibration) will appear on the display. To correct the
calibration, drive in a complete 360É circle three
times and the compass will function normally.
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Driver Information Center (DIC)
If your vehicle is equipped with a Driver Information
Center (DIC), this system displays the outside air
temperature, compass direction and trip information in
the overhead console.
US/MET (United States/Metric):The US/MET (United
States/metric) button allows you to switch the display
between the English and metric system.
MODE:The MODE button can be used to toggle
between three modes of operation: OFF, COMP/TEMP
and TRIP.
COMP/TEMP (Compass/Temperature):The display
provides the outside temperature and one of eight
compass readings to indicate the direction the vehicle is
facing.Before you turn on the ignition and move the vehicle,
the temperature indicated will be the last outside
temperature recorded with the ignition on. If the outside
temperature is 37ÉF (3ÉC) or lower, the display will
toggle between the ICE and the current temperature
every eight seconds. This is a warning to the drive that
road conditions may be icy, and that appropriate
precautions should be taken.
The compass is self-calibrating, so it does not need to be
manually set. However, if C (Calibration) is displayed, the
compass will need to be calibrated. You may also place
the compass in a noncalibrated mode by pressing the
holding the MODE and US/MET buttons at the same time
while in the COMP/TEMP mode. After about 10 seconds,
the compass will display C and you can release the
buttons. Drive the vehicle in a complete 360É circle three
times at a speed of less than 5 mph (8 km/h), and the
compass will function normally. Once the calibration is
complete, the display will return to a compass reading.
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A/C (Air Conditioning):Turn the knob to the A/C
position to turn the air-conditioning system on or
off. When the system is on, this setting cools and
dehumidi®es the air entering your vehicle and directs it
through the ¯oor outlets as well as the instrument
panel outlets.
MAX A/C (Maximum Air Conditioning):This mode
recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle so
it cools quickly. It directs most of the air through the
instrument panel outlets and a small amount through the
¯oor outlets.
-(Blend):Use this mode to direct half the air to the
windshield and half to the ¯oor outlets. Close the
center outlets to help defrost the side windows more
quickly. In this mode, the system will automatically force
outside air into your vehicle and it will also run the
air-conditioning compressor, unless it falls below the
temperature at which air conditioning is effective.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select A/C.
2. Select the coolest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm the upper
part of your body, but the lower part may not be
warm enough. To remedy this, do the following:
1. Select the bi-level mode.
2. Select the temperature.
3. Select the fan speed.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
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Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to clear
fog or frost from your windshield and side windows.
Use the defog mode to clear the windows of fog
or moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost
mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. For best results, clear all snow and ice
from the windshield before defrosting.
-(Defog):This mode can be used on cool, humid
days to keep the windshield and side windows clear.
1(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the side window outlets, with only a
little air directed to the ¯oor outlets. When you select this
mode, the system runs the air-conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Outlet Adjustment
The ¯ow through outlets on your vehicle allow outside
air to enter your vehicle while it is moving. Outside
air will also enter your vehicle while the air-conditioning
compressor is running.
Use the thumbwheels located in the center and on the
sides, to change the direction of the air ¯owing
through the outlets.
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{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the air bag, it means
that something may be wrong with the air bag
system. The right front passenger's air bag
could in¯ate even though the switch is off. If
this ever happens, don't let anyone whom the
national government has identi®ed as a
member of a passenger air bag risk group sit
in the right front passenger's position (for
example, don't secure a rear-facing child
restraint in your vehicle) until you have your
vehicle serviced.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on brie¯y when
you turn on the ignition,
but the engine is not
running, as a check to
show you it is working.
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 light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
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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 FlashingÐ A mis®re condition has been
detected. A mis®re increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
·Light On SteadyÐ An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
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 ¯ashing and remains on steady, see ªIf
the Light Is On Steadyº following.If the light continues to ¯ash, 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
¯ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
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
Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. 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.
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