Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
In the front seats, the shoulder belt can be adjusted
upward or downward to position the belt away from
your neck. Push the lever above the webbing upward to
release the anchorage, and then move it up or down to
the position that serves you best.
As a guide, if you are shorter than average, you will
prefer a lower position, and if you are taller than average,
you’ll prefer a higher position. When you release the
anchorage, try to move it up or down to make sure that
it is locked in position.In the rear seat, move toward the center of the seat to
position the belt away from your neck.
Seat Belts and Pregnant Women
We recommend that pregnant women use the seat belts
throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.
Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as possible.
Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.
Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended and
when the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage (if so
equipped) is in its lowest position, your dealer can
provide you with a seat belt extender. This extender
should be used only if the existing belt is not long
enough. When it is not required, remove the extender
and store it.
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use the
extender when the lap belt is not long enough when
it is worn low and snug, and in the recommended
seating positions. Remove and store the extender
when not needed.
Driver and Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
If the vehicle is equipped with side airbags, they are
located inside the driver and front passenger seats, and
their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33
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be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats appropriate for the size and age
of the child.
Older children who do not use child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats should ride properly buckled
up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the
shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child
restraint. See the section on “Child Restraint”.
You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2. All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder belts
properly.
3. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the front airbags room to
inflate.4. If your vehicle has side airbags, do not lean against the
door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space be-
tween you and the door.
WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury.
•Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfort-
ably extending your arms to reach the steering
wheel or instrument panel.
•If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
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Infants and Child Restraints
•
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and “convertible” child seats.
•The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). “Convertible” child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than in-
fant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing by
children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are less
than one year old. Both types of child restraints are held
in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH
anchorage system. (See the LATCH — Child Seat An-
chorage System section for greater explanation.)
•Rearward-facing child seats mustNEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger
airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.
WARNING!
•A rearward facing infant restraint should only be
used in a rear seat. A rearward facing infant
restraint in the front seat may be struck by a
deploying passenger airbag which may cause se-
vere or fatal injury to the infant.
•Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
•Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you try a child
restraint in the vehicle seats where you will use it
before you buy it.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
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•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the seat
manufacturer’s directions.
•When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
NOTE:For additional information, refer to
www.seatcheck.org or call 1–866–SEATCHECK.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who are
older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats used in the forward-facing direction are for children
who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg) and who are olderthan one year. These child seats are also held in the
vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH anchor-
age system. (See the LATCH — Child Seat Anchorage
System Section.)
The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weighing
more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small to fit
the vehicle’s seat belts properly. If the child cannot sit
with knees bent over the vehicle’s seat cushion while the
child’s back is against the seat back, they should use a
belt-positioning booster seat. The child and belt-
positioning booster seat are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt.
Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seatback, should use the lap/shoulder belt in the rear
seat.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
•If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt behind their back or
under their arm.
LATCH – Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower
Anchors and Tether for CH ildren)
Your vehicle’s rear seat is equipped with the child restraint
anchorage system called LATCH. The LATCH system
provides for the installation of the child restraints without
using the vehicle’s seat belts, instead securing the child
restraint using lower anchorages and upper tether straps
from the child restraint to the vehicle structure.
LATCH-compatible child restraint systems are now avail-
able. However, because the lower anchorages are to be
introduced over a period of years, child restraint systems
having attachments for those achorages will continue to
also have features for installation using the vehicle’s seat
belts. Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for
connection tot he top tether anchorages have been avail-
able for some time. For some older child restraints, manychild restraint manufacturers offer add-on tether strap
kits or retro-fit kits. You are urged to take advantage of all
the available attachments provided with your child re-
straint in any vehicle.
All three rear seating positions have lower
anchorages that are capable of accomodating
LATCH-compatible child seats. These are
round bars, located at the lower area of the seat
back. Install your child seat as per child seat manufac-
turer recommendations.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Console Features.......................53
Cup Holders..........................53
▫Front Seat Cupholders...................53
Coat Hook............................54
Mirrors..............................54
▫Adjusting The Inside Day/Night Mirror......54
▫Automatic Dimming Mirror Feature.........54
▫Heated Remote Control Mirrors............55
▫Electric Remote Control Mirrors............55
▫Supplemental Indicators — 300M Special Only .56
▫Mirror Adjustment.....................56
Seats................................57▫Power Seats..........................57
▫Power Reclining Seats...................58
▫Driver’s Seat Glide –To – Exit Feature........58
▫Lumbar Support.......................59
▫Heated Seats.........................59
▫Memory Feature.......................60
▫Programming The Remote Keyless Transmitter
For The Memory Feature.................61
▫Head Restraints.......................62
▫Folding Rear Seat......................62
To Open And Close The Hood.............63
Interior Lights.........................64
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NOTE:This feature is most effective when left in the
ON position.
Heated Remote Control Mirrors
These mirrors are heated to melt frost or ice. This
feature is activated whenever you turn on the rear
window defrost.
NOTE:On vehicles equipped with the automatic dim-
ming mirror feature, and when the dimming feature is
activated, the heated remote control mirrors will be
automatically dimmed as well.
Electric Remote Control Mirrors
NOTE:
Pre selected power mirror positions (for the
driver seat only) can be controlled by the Memory Seat
Feature. Refer to the Seats section which follows.
Press the L or R button located on the driver’s door panel
for Left or Right mirror selection.
Tilt the mirror control up or down, or side to side to
adjust the view in the mirror.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 55
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