Page 33 of 273
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33
2
Page 36 of 273

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.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•ACM (Airbag Control Module)
•AIRBAG Readiness Light
•Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
•Optional Driver and Passenger Side Airbags.
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Crash Sensors
•Knee Impact Bolsters
The side airbag system, on vehicles so equipped, consists
of the following:
•AIRBAG Readiness Light
•Side Airbag in the Driver’s Seat
•Side Airbag in the Passenger’s Seat
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 37 of 273

•ACM (Airbag Control Module)
•SIACM (Side Impact Airbag Control Module)
•Interconnecting Wiring
How the Frontal Airbag System Works
•
The front airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate.
•The airbag control module will not detect side, roll
over, or rear collisions.
•The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the OFF position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
•The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for 6 to
8 seconds when the ignition is first turned on,
then turns the light off. If it detects a malfunction in
any part of the system, it turns on the light either
momentarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2
Page 50 of 273
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
brake fluid, fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 58 of 273

WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other object. Use your inside mirror when
judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen in this
convex mirror.
Mirror Tilt in Reverse
This feature will tilt the driver’s exterior mirror down-
ward to improve visibility of the rear wheel area when
the vehicle is placed in reverse. Once reverse is disen-
gaged, the driver’s exterior mirror will return to it’s
original position.This feature can be turned on or off by performing the
following procedure:
1. Press and hold the Set button.
2. Move the horizontal seat switch forward.
3. Release the Set button and the horizontal seat switch.
On vehicles equipped with an EVIC (Electronic Vehicle
Information Center), these functions can be selected at
the EVIC using the Customer Programmable Features for
details.Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
An illuminated vanity mirror is on each sun visor. To use
the mirror, rotate the sun visor down and swing the
mirror cover upward. The lamps turn on automatically.
Closing the mirror cover turns off the lamps.
58 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
Page 69 of 273

Headlight Dimmer Switch
Pull the multi-function control lever toward the steering
wheel to switch the headlights from high or low beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multi-function lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn on at
high beam and remain on until the lever is released.
Windshield Wipers And Washers
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch in the
control lever. Turn the end of the handle to select the
desired wiper speed.
NOTE:The vehicle electronics will shut the windshield
wiper system off if the wiper motor has been trying to
move a stuck wiper blade for more than 20 seconds. This
feature prevents damage to the wiper motor. If this
occurs, free the stuck blade and then turn the ignition
switch Off, then On. This will reset the system.
To use the washer, push the knob in when spray is
desired. If the button is pushed while in the delay range,
the wiper will operate for several seconds after the knob
is released, and then resume the intermittent interval.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 69
3
Page 71 of 273
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, pull the small lever below the turn
signal control toward you and move the wheel up or
down, as desired. Release the lever to lock the wheel
firmly in place.WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 71
3
Page 72 of 273
TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH — IF EQUIPPED
To turn the Traction Control System Off, press the switch
located on the instrument panel, to the right of the
steering column, until the TRAC OFF light in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
To turn the Traction Control System On, press the switch
until the TRAC OFF light in the instrument cluster turns
off.
NOTE:Traction Control System comes on each time the
ignition switch is turned On. This will occur even if you
used the switch to turn the Traction system off during the
previous ignition cycle.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
This device can be engaged to take over the accelerator
operation at speeds between 30 mph (48 km/h) and 85
mph (137 km/h). The controls are mounted on the
steering wheel.
72 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE