Page 45 of 341

WARNING!
²Relying 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.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during front airbag deployment could
cause serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate.
Sit back, comfortably extending your arms to
reach the steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If 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.
The front airbag system consists of the following:
²Front Airbag Control Module (ACM)
²AIRBAG Readiness Light
²Driver and Passenger Front Airbag/Inflator Units
²Unique Steering Wheel and Column
²Unique Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Seat Belt Pretensioners
²Knee Impact Bolster
The Side Airbag System, on vehicles equipped, consists
of the following:
²AIRBAG Readiness Light (shared with the front airbag
system)
²Side Airbag in the driver's seat
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
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Page 46 of 341

²Side Airbag in the passenger's seat
²Airbag Control Module (shared with the front airbag
system)
²Side impact sensors
²Interconnecting Wiring
How The Airbag System Works
²
Thefrontairbag control module determines if a frontal
impact is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate. The front control module will not detect side,
roll over, or rear collisions.
The front airbag control module also monitors the
readiness of the electronic parts of the system when-
ever the ignition switch is in the START or ON
positions. These include all of the items listed above
except the knee bolster, instrument panel and the
steering wheel and column. If the key is in the OFFposition, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition
switch, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
The front airbag control module also turns on
the AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for 6
to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned ON, then turns the light off. If the front or side
airbag control modules detect a malfunction in any
part of the system, the airbag light will turn on 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.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 49 of 341

²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags and seat belt pretensioners will
not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags
and seat belt pretensioners replaced by an autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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Page 243 of 341
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m2.4L High Output Turbo Engine Compartment . . 246
m2.4L Engine Compartment................247
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........248
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................249
mReplacement Parts......................250
mDealer Service.........................250
mMaintenance Procedures..................251
NEngine Oil..........................251NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 256
NSpark Plugs.........................256
NIgnition Wiring System.................256
NCatalytic Converter....................256
NEngine Timing Belt....................258
NCrankcase Emission Control System........258
NFuel Filter..........................258
NAir Cleaner Element (Filter)..............258
NMaintenance-Free Battery................259
7
Page 256 of 341

Drive Belts Ð Check Condition and Tension
At the mileage shown in the maintenance schedules,
check all drive belts for condition and proper tension.
Improper belt tension can cause belt slippage and failure.
Inspect the drive belts for evidence of cuts, cracks, or
glazing and replace them if there is any sign of damage
which could result in belt failure. If adjustment is re-
quired, see your authorized dealer for service.
Special tools are required to properly measure tension
and to restore belt tension to factory specifications. Also,
check belt routing to make sure there is no interference
between the belts and other engine components.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure engine perfor-
mance and emission control. New plugs should be in-
stalled at the specified mileage. The entire set should be
replaced if there is any malfunction due to a faulty sparkplug. Refer to the Engine data Label located under the
hood for the proper type of spark plug for use in your
vehicle.
Ignition Wiring System
The ignition cables should be kept clean and properly
connected. Terminals should be fully seated. Cracked,
damaged, or faulty cables should be replaced.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
256 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 332 of 341

Heated Seats............................ 85
Hood Release........................... 92
Hoses................................ 269
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Wiring System........................ 256
Immobilizer..........................14,27
Indicator, Traction Control...............132,134
Infant Restraint.......................... 51
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 67
Instrument Cluster....................126,129
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 125
Instrument Panel Cover................... 281
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 281
Integrated Power Module.................. 282
Interior Appearance Care.................. 280
Interior Fuses.......................... 285
Interior Lights........................... 94Intermittent Wipers....................... 99
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 231
Jack Operation.......................230,233
Jacking Instructions...................... 233
Jump Starting.......................... 235
Key, Programming........................ 16
Key Release Button....................... 13
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry............................. 14
Key-In Reminder......................... 14
Keyless Entry System...................... 22
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster..........................45,47
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 130
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 33
332 INDEX