Page 36 of 313

Only a rear-f acing child seat provides
proper support f or a baby’s head,
neck, and back.Two types of seats may be used: a
seat designed exclusively f or inf ants,
or a convertible seat used in the rear-
f acing, reclining mode.
An inf ant must be properly
restrained in a rear-f acing, reclining
child seat until the child reaches the
seat maker’s weight or height limit
f or the seat, and the child is at least
one year old. If placed
f acing f orward, an inf ant could be
very seriously injured during a
f rontal collision. A rear-f acing child seat should
always be installed in a back seat, not
in the f ront. Even with adbanced
airbags, which can automatically
turn the passenger’s f ront airbag of f
(see page ), a back seat is the
saf est place f or an inf ant.
When properly installed, a rear-
f acing child seat may prevent the
driver or a f ront passenger f rom
moving the seat as far back as
recommended, or f rom locking the
seat-back in the desired position.
24
CONT INUED
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Protecting Inf ants
Child Seat T ype
Do not put a rear-f acing child seat ina f orward-f acing position. Child Seat Placement
37
Placing a rear-facing child seat
in the front seat can result in
serious injury or death during acollision.
Always place a rear-facing child
seat in the back seat, not thefront.
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Page 37 of 313

µWe also recommend that a small
child uses the child seat as long as
possible, until the child reaches the
weight or height limit f or the seat.
A child who is at least one year old,
and who fits within the child seat
maker’s weight and height limits,
should be restrained in a f orward-
f acing, upright child seat.
Of the different seats available, we
recommend those that have a f ive-
point harness system as shown.
Or it could push against the f ront-
passenger’s seat-back, interf ering
with the proper operation of the
passenger’s advanced front airbag
(see pages ).
In any of these situations, we
strongly recommend that you install
the child seat in a dif f erent back
seating position or get a smaller rear-
f acing child seat.
24 26
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Protecting Small Children
Child Seat T ype
38
Placing a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat can result
in serious injury or death if the
front airbag inflates.
Ifyoumustplaceaforward-
facing child seat in front, move
the vehicle seat as far back as
possible, and properly restrain
the child.
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Page 46 of 313

When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in the back seat on a
booster and wear a lap/shoulder belt.To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly f its a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself :Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
Do the child’s knees bend
comf ortably over the edge of the
seat? Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child’s neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s
thighs?
Will the child be able to stay
seated like this f or the whole trip?
The f ollowing pages give
instructions on how to check proper
seat belt f it, what kind of booster
seat to use if one is needed, and
important precautions f or a child
who must sit in f ront.
If you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat.
1. 2. 3.4. 5.
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Checking Seat Belt Fit
47
Allowing a large child age 12 or
under to sit in front can result in
injury or death if the passenger’s
front airbag inflates.
If a large child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.
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Page 47 of 313

A child who has outgrown a forward-
f acing child seat should ride in the
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt f its them
properly without the booster.
Some states also require children to
use a booster until they reach a
given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or
60lbs).Besuretocheckcurrent
laws in the state or states where you
intend to drive.The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
ages 12 and under be properly
restrained in the back seat.
Even with advanced front airbag, the
back seat is the safest place for a
child of any age or size.
If the passenger’s f ront airbag is on,
and it inflates in a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, the airbag
can cause serious injuries to a child
who is unrestrained, improperly
restrained, sitting too close to the
airbag, or out of position.
The side airbag also poses risks. If
any part of a larger child’s body is in
the path of a deploying side airbag,
the child could receive possibly
serious injuries.
Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster meets f ederal
saf ety standards (see page ) and
that you f ollow the booster seat
maker’s instructions.
If a child who uses a booster must
ride in f ront, move the vehicle seat
as far to the rear as possible, and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle’s or
booster’s seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster.
40
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Using a Booster Seat
When Can a L arger Child Sit in
Front
48
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Page 82 of 313
µ
AllV6models,the4-cylinderEX-L
model, and all Canadian EX models
have a power adjustable driver’s seat.
The 4-cylinder EX model has a
power seat bottom height
adjustment. All other driver’s seat
adjustmentsinthismodelare
manual.
The 4-cylinder LX model has manual
driver’s seat adjustments (see next
column).
The f ront passenger’s seat in all
models adjusts manually.To change the seat-back angle, pull
up on the lever on the outside of the
seat bottom.
To adjust the seat forward and
backward, pull up on the bar under
the seat cushion’s f ront edge. Move
the seat to the desired position and
releasethebar.Trytomovetheseat
to make sure it is locked in position.
Make all seat adjustments bef ore
you start driving.
See pages f or important saf ety
inf ormation and warnings about how toproperly position the seats and seat-backs. 11 13
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Manual Seat Adjustments
83
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Page 83 of 313
The height of your driver’s seat is
adjustable. To raise the seat bottom,
repeatedly pull up the lever on the
outside of the seat cushion. To lower
the seat, push down the lever
repeatedly.
Make all seat adjustments bef ore
you start driving.Make sure to pull the lever upward
or downward to its f ull range.
The height of your driver’s seat is
power adjustable. Pull up on the
switch to raise the seat. Push it down
to lower the seat.
Make all seat adjustments bef ore
you start driving.
On 4-cylinder EX model
On 4-cylinder LX model
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Driver’s Seat Manual Height
Adjustment Driver’s Seat Power Height
Adjustment
84
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Page 87 of 313
See page f or important saf etyinf ormation and a warning about how toproperly position the head restraints. 13
The head restraints help protect you
and your passengers f rom whiplash
and other injuries.
Your vehicle has adjustable head
restraints on the f ront seats. They
are also on the outside positions of
the rear seat.
Theyaremosteffectivewhenyou
adjust them so the back of the
occupant’s head rests against the
center of the restraint.
The head restraints adjust f or height.
You need both hands to adjust the
restraint. Do not attempt to adjust it
while driving. To raise it, pull upward.
To lower the restraint, push the
release button sideways, and push
the restraint down.
Seats
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Head Restraints
88
RELEASE BUTTON
FRONT
REAR
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Page 197 of 313

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use D position when
towing a trailer on level roads. D is
the proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ in the next
column f or additional gear
inf ormation.)
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
bottom
3
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Driving on Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears
Parking
Making T urns and Braking
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
198
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