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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. As 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 manufac-
turer's instructions 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.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the airbags,
seat belt pretensioners, and the front passenger seat
belt retractor assembly, replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Also, have the Occupant
Classification System serviced as well.
Enhanced Accident Response System (E.A.R.S.)
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, the interior lights will turn on
and the power door locks (if equipped) will unlock 10
seconds after airbag deployment.
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WARNING!
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 an airbag system.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbag system ready to inflate
for your protection in an impact. The airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free. If any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
²Does not come on during the 6 to 8 seconds after the
ignition switch is first turned on.
²Remains on after the 6 to 8 second interval.
²Comes on for any period of time while driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
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²Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which can kill.
Never run the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running for a extended period. If the vehicle is
stopped in an open area with engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation system to
force fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
²Guard against carbon monoxide with proper mainte-
nance. Have the exhaust system inspected every time
the vehicle is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.
²Always run the climate control in panel or floor mode
when driving with any windows open, even if only
slightly, to help keep fresh air circulating inside ve-
hicle. Otherwise poisonous gases could be drawn into
the vehicle.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
pretensioners, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.
NOTE:The ªSeat Belt Indicator Lightº will remain on
until the driver's seat belt is buckled.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the bulb is not lit during starting, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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Then, reach under the hood and slide the safety latch to
the right and lift the hood.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood until it is open approximately 12
inches (30 cm) and then push hood closed. This should
secure both latches. Never drive your vehicle unless the
hood is fully closed, with both latches engaged.WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are latched fully before
driving.
LIGHTS
Interior Lights
The overhead lights will come on when a door is opened,
and when the rotating ring on the multi-function control
lever is in a position other than OFF. They may also be
turned on by rotating the control for the dimmer switch
on the multi-function control lever fully upward or by
pressing the ªUnlockº button on the keyfob.
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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.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
When engaged, this device takes over accelerator opera-
tions at speeds greater than 35 mph (60 km/h). The
controls are mounted on the steering wheel and consist of
ON´OFF, SET, RES´ACCEL, CANCEL, and COAST con-
trols.
To Activate
Press and release the ON´OFF button to turn the system
on. To turn the system off, press the ON´OFF button
again. The system should be turned off when not in use.
The CRUISE indicator light in the instrument cluster
illuminates when the system is on.
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NOTE:When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000
ft. (610 meters), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded
(especially when towing) the vehicle may slow below the
SET speed. (If the vehicle speed drops below 30 mph (48
km/h), the Speed Control will automatically disengage).
If this happens, you can push down on the accelerator
pedal to maintain the desired speed.
A full throttle (high RPM) acceleration, while the system
is engaged, will cause the system to disengage.
Vehicles may exhibit several 4-3 downshifts under the
above conditions. To reduce the frequency of the down-
shifts and to improve vehicle performance, it is advisable
to lock out overdrive. Press the O/D OFF button on the
right side of the shift lever.WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control on when not in use is
dangerous. You could accidentally set the system or
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always turn the system
off when you are not using it.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE Ð IF EQUIPPED
The overhead console contains dome/reading lights, an
optional universal garage door opener (HomeLinkt), an
optional sunroof switch, and an Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC) that consists of the following:
²Compass/temperature display
²Trip information displays
²Vehicle information warning message displays
²Customer programmable features
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Headlamp Delay
When this feature is selected the driver can choose, when
exiting the vehicle, to have the headlamps remain on for
30, 60, or 90 seconds, or not remain on. Pressing the STEP
button when in this display will select 30, 60, 90, or OFF.
Service Interval
When this feature is selected a service interval between
2,000 miles (3 200 km) and 6,000 miles (10 000 km) in 500
mile (800 km) increments may be selected. Pressing the
STEP button when in this display will select distances
between 2,000 miles (3 200 km) and 6,000 miles (10 000
km) in 500 mile (800 km) increments.
Reset Service Distance (Displays Only if Service
Interval was Changed)
When this feature is selected the current accumulated
service distance can be reset to the newly selected service
interval. Pressing the STEP button when in this display
will select ªYesº or ªNo.º
Low Fuel Chime?
When this feature is selected a chime will sound when
the ªLow Fuel Indicator Lightº is displayed in the
instrument panel cluster. Pressing the STEP button when
in this display will select ªYesº or ªNo.º
Retrain Tire Sensors? (Available with TPM System
Only)
When this feature is selected, the TPM system will start
the retraining procedure (Refer to Training Procedure
below). Pressing the STEP button when in this display
will select ªYesº or ªNo.º Then, press the MENU button
to enter selection.
WARNING!
Death or serious injury can occur if magnetically
sensitive devices are exposed to this magnet. Mag-
nets can affect pacemakers.
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a resettable function is currently being displayed (Aver-
age Economy, Trip Miles, and Time Elapsed). A single
chime will sound to indicate that a reset has occurred.
Global Reset
If the RESET button is pressed twice within 3 seconds
while in any of the three resettable displays, the RESET
button will reset all three displays.
A chime (two beeps) will sound to indicate that a reset
has occurred.
Menu Button
Press the Menu button to scroll through the following
screens: LANGUAGE, DISPLAY U.S. OR METRIC,
AUTO DOOR LOCKS, AUTO UNLOCK ON EXIT, RE-
MOTE UNLOCK DRIV DOOR 1ST, SOUND HORN
WITH LOCK, FLASH LIGHTS WITH LOCKS, HEAD-
LAMP DELAY, SERVICE INTV, LOW FUEL CHIME,
TRAIN REMOTE, and RETRAIN TIRE SENSORS.
C/T Button
Press the C/T button to display the outside temperature
and one of eight compass readings to indicate the direc-
tion the vehicle is facing.
WARNING!
Even if the display still reads a few degrees above
32ÉF (0ÉC), the road surface may be icy, particularly
in woods or on bridges. Drive carefully under such
conditions to prevent an accident and possible per-
sonal injury or property damage.
Step Button
Press the STEP button to cycle through all of the displays.
The displays are: Average Miles/GAL, Miles To Empty,
Trip Miles, Time Elapsed, Miles To Service, Tire PSI, and
Blank Screen.
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