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 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 window bags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or
window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module (ACM)
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Window Bags above Side Windows (If Equipped)
²Side Impact Sensors (If Equipped)
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Crash Sensor
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
2
How The Airbag System Works
²
TheAirbag Control Module (ACM)determines if a
frontal collision is severe enough to require the airbags
to inflate. Based on the level of collision severity, the
front control module determines the proper rate of
inflation. The front airbag inflators are designed to
provide different rates of airbag inflation.
²The ACM, along with the remote side impact sensors
detects side impact.
²The ACM will not detect roll over, or rear impacts.
²The ACM monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column and the knee bolsters. 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.Also, the ACM turns on the AIRBAG warning 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 warning light in your instru-
ment 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.
²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ACM detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
are possible, these rates are determined by the front
airbag control module based on collision severity. The
steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side
of the instrument panel separate and fold out of the
way as the bags inflate to their full size. The bags fully
inflate in about 30±70 milliseconds. This is about half
of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The bags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger.
The driver front airbag gas is vented through the
airbag material towards the instrument panel. The
passenger front airbag gas is vented through the
airbag material on the sides of the airbag. In this way,
the airbags do not interfere with your control of the
vehicle.²TheSide Impact SRS Window Bagsare designed to
activate only in certain side collisions. When the airbag
control module (ACM), along with the remote side
impact sensors detects a side impact collision requir-
ing the window bags to inflate, it signals the inflators
on the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic
gas is generated to inflate the window bag. The
inflating window bag pushes the outside edge of the
headliner out of the way and covers the window. The
airbag inflates in about 30 milliseconds (about one
quarter of the time it takes to blink your eyes) with
enough force to injure you if you are not belted and
seated properly, or if items are positioned in the area
where the window bag inflates. This especially applies
to children. The window bag is only about 3
1¤2inches
(9 cm) thick when it is inflated.
²TheKnee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees of
the driver and the front passenger's, and position
everyone for the best interaction with the front airbag.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
2
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy the airbags
when the impact sensors detect a moderate-to-severe
frontal collision, to help restrain the driver and front
passenger, and then immediately deflate.
NOTE:A frontal collision that is not severe enough to
need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
²The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium
floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.However, if you haven't healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
²As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's instruc-
tions for cleaning.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Rain Sensitive Wiper System Ð If Equipped
The rain sensitive wiper system provides you with the
convenience of automatically detecting moisture on your
windshield and turning on the wipers at the appropriate
speed. The Rain Sensor is located above the rear view
mirror and reacts to any moisture present in the area of
the sensor.To activate the rain sensitive wiper system, turn the front
wiper control lever to AUTO. When you turn the lever to
AUTO, the wipers will operate a single wipe cycle. The
wipers will also cycle once when you start the vehicle if
the lever was left in AUTO.
There are five AUTO positions on the lever to allow you
to select system sensitivity that best suits you. The lowest
position (closest to OFF) is the least sensitive to rain and
the highest position is the most sensitive. If you select a
low sensitivity position on the control lever, the system
will be slower to react to rain and wipe only after some
rain accumulates on the windshield. If you select a high
sensitivity position, the system will be very quick to react
to rain drops and will wipe more often. If it is raining
steadily, the wipers will wipe continuously regardless of
what sensitivity the lever is. If the rain is heavy, the
wipers will operate in high speed. Every time you move
the lever to a higher sensitivity, the wipers will immedi-
ately operate a single wipe cycle.
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
NOTE:Since the rain sensor is designed to detect
moisture, road spray, smashed bugs, and moisture from
passing trucks may occasionally cause the wipers to cycle
if the lever is in AUTO. Also, manual intervention may be
necessary under certain conditions: Additional wipes
may be desired, in foggy/misty mornings, where con-
densation builds up very slowly on the windshield, or
when water accumulated on the roof of the vehicle runs
down the windshield, but not over the sensor.
Fewer wipes and/or washer fluid may be desired when
salty road spray is encountered, where the operator may
want to turn the ªAutoº feature off and use the ªWashº
and/or ªMistº functions.CAUTION!
Turn the wiper lever to the OFF position to avoid
wiper damage when driving through an automatic
car wash.
WARNING!
Turn the wiper lever to the OFF position when
cleaning your windshield to avoid injury.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 83
3
²PERFORM SERVICE
²DOOR OPEN (one or more, with graphic)
²LIFTGATE OPEN (with graphic)
²LIFTGLASS OPEN (with graphic)
²WASHER FLUID LOW (with graphic)
²MEMORY SEAT DISABLED
²MEMORY #1 POSITIONS SET
²MEMORY #2 POSITIONS SET
²PEDAL ADJUST DISABLED
²LEFT FRONT LOW PRESSURE
²LEFT FRONT HIGH PRESSURE
²RIGHT FRONT LOW PRESSURE
²RIGHT FRONT HIGH PRESSURE
²LEFT REAR LOW PRESSURE
²LEFT REAR HIGH PRESSURE
²RIGHT REAR LOW PRESSURE
²RIGHT REAR HIGH PRESSURE
²SPARE LOW PRESSURE (5 Tire TPM System Only)
²SPARE HIGH PRESSURE (5 Tire TPM System Only)
²TIRE PRESSURE UNAVAILABLE
²TIRE PRESSURE NOW AVAILABLE
²TIRE SENSOR BAD/MISSING
²SPARE SWAP DETECTED (5 Tire TPM System Only)
²REMOVE MAGNET FROM SPARE (5 Tire TPM Sys-
tem Only)
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 91
3
Tire Pressure Monitor System Ð If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system uses wireless
technology to monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors,
mounted to each wheel as part of the valve stem transmit
tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the over-
head console.The tire pressure is shown in the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) display. The TPM system
remains active even if it is not displayed in the EVIC.
CAUTION!
The TPM system is designed to monitor your tire
pressure and will not function as a tire pressure
gauge while adjusting the pressure in your tires.
There will be a delay between the instant you adjust
the air pressure in a tire and when the system
updates the display.
NOTE:The TPM system can inform you about a low or
high tire pressure condition, but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance.
The TPM system is not intended to provide you with
notification of rapid pressure loss.
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE