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²The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching
latch plates, which are designed to keep the latch
portion tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. Pulling up on the
shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt will tighten
the belt. The cinching latch plate will keep the belt
tight, however, any seat belt system will loosen with
time, so check the belt occasionally and pull it tight if
necessary.
²In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt
several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into
the buckle with the release button facing out.
²If the belt still cannot be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still cannot make the child restraint
secure, try a different seating position.
²Buckle the child into the restraint exactly as the
manufacturer's instructions tell you.
²When 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.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)
Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor-
age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
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Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System (BTSI)
This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI) that holds the gearshift lever in
the P (Park) position when the ignition switch is in an
unlocked position. To move the gear selector lever out of
the P (Park) position, the ignition switch must be turned
to the OFF, ON, or START position, the brake pedal and
the button on the front side of the shifter handle must be
depressed.
Electronically Controlled Five Speed Automatic
Transmission (4.7L Engine Only)
This electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a
couple hundred miles (kilometers).
Protect Mode - Electronically Controlled
Transmission (4.7L Engine Only)
This transmission is monitored electronically for abnor-
mal conditions. If an abnormal condition is detected, the
transmission's electronic controller will automatically
select direct gear (in the Drive position) or 2nd gear (in
the 2 or 1 position). This feature will allow the vehicle to
be driven to the dealer for service minimizing any
damage to the transmission. Some conditions that will
cause the transmission to use this alternate gear selection
are momentary and the transmission can be reset to the
normal shift program by performing the following:
²Stop the vehicle and shift into P (Park).
²Turn the ignition key to the OFF position and then
restart the engine.
²Shift into the desire shift range and resume driving.
180 STARTING AND OPERATING
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²When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
²When engaged in P (Park), you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the shift
lever button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise, dam-
age to steering column or shifter could result.
RÐReverse
Use this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NÐNeutral
Shift to N (Neutral) when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Set the parking brake if you
must leave the vehicle.
Overdrive
For most city and highway driving. The transmis-
sion contains electronically controlled 4th and 5th
gears (Overdrives) and will automatically shift from D
(Drive) to 4th and 5th gears if the following conditions
are present:
²The transmission selector is in D (Drive).
²The O/D OFF switch has not been activated.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING