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WARNING!
²A belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle will
not protect you properly. The lap portion could
ride too high on your body, possibly causing
internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the
buckle nearest you.
²A belt that is loose will not protect you as well. In
a sudden stop you could move too far forward,
increasing the possibility of injury. Wear your seat
belt snugly.
²A belt that is worn under your arm is very
dangerous. Your body could strike the inside
surfaces of the vehicle in a collision, increasing
head and neck injury. A belt worn under the arm
can cause internal injuries. Ribs aren't as strong as
shoulder bones. Wear the belt over your shoulder
so that the strongest bones will take the force in a
collision.
²A shoulder belt placed behind will not protect
you from injury during a collision. You are more
likely to hit your head in a collision if you do not
wear your shoulder belt. The lap and shoulder
belt are meant to be used together.
4. Position the lap belt across your thighs, below your
abdomen. To remove slack in the lap belt portion, pull up
on the shoulder belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too tight,
tilt the latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug belt
reduces the risk of sliding under the belt in a collision.
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WARNING!
²A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of
internal injury in a collision. The belt forces won't
be at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across
your abdomen. Always wear the lap belt as low as
possible and keep it snug.
²A twisted belt cannot do its job as well. In a
collision it could even cut into you. Be sure the
belt is straight. If you cannot straighten a belt in
your vehicle, take it to your dealer and have it
fixed.
5. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The retractor
will withdraw any slack in the belt.
6. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle.
The belt will automatically retract to its stowed position.
If necessary, slide the latch plate down the webbing to
allow the belt to retract fully.
WARNING!
A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in a collision
and leave you with no protection. Inspect the belt
system periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or loose
parts. Damaged parts must be replaced immediately.
Do not disassemble or modify the system. Seat belt
assemblies must be replaced after a collision if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.).
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WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the seat belt is not long enough when it is
worn low and snug, and in the recommended seating
positions. Remove and stow the seat belt extender
when not needed.
Driver And Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint Systems (SRS) Ð Airbags
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
system. The driver's front airbag is mounted in the center
of the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbag is
mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove com-
partment. The words SRS/AIRBAG are embossed on the
airbag covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim; but they will open to allow airbag deploy-
ment.
WARNING!
Do not put anything on or around the front airbag
covers or attempt to manually open them. You may
damage the airbags and you could be injured be-
cause the airbags are not there to protect you. These
protective covers for the airbag cushions are de-
signed to open only when the airbags are inflating.
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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.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module (ACM)
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Steering Wheel And Column
²Instrument Panel
²Crash Sensor
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch (If Equipped)
How The Airbag System Works
²
TheAirbag Control Module (ACM)determines if a
frontal collision is severe enough to require the airbags
to inflate.
²The ACM will not detect side, roll over, or rear
impacts.
²The ACM also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON position. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee bolster, the instru-
ment panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the
ignition key is in the OFF or ACC position, or not in
the ignition, the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
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²Also, the ACM turns on the ªAirbag Warning Lightº 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. If the
ACM detects a malfunction, the ªAirbag Warning
Lightº will illuminate for a minimum of 12 seconds
and will remain illuminated as long as the malfunction
exists.
WARNING!
Ignoring the ªAirbag Warning Lightº 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 in the
instrument panel. When the ACM detects a collision
requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of
the way as the bags inflate to full size. The bags fully
inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is about half of
the time it takes to blink your eyes. The airbags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger. The driver's front airbag gas is vented
through the airbag material towards the instrument
panel. The passenger's front airbag gas is vented
through vent holes in the sides of the airbag. In this
way the airbags do not interfere with your control of
the vehicle.
²TheKnee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees and
position the driver and front passenger's for the best
interaction with the front airbag.
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Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch Ð If Equipped
NOTE:
The Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch is de-
signed so that the switch position can be changed using
the ignition key. The key inserts into the switch far
enough to fully depress a spring-loaded locking plunger,
and then rotates to the desired position. The key will not
insert fully into the switch, and the spring-loaded locking
plunger prevents the key from remaining in the switch.
The Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch is located on the
instrument panel. The switch is to be turned off only if
the passenger is an infant (less than 1 year old) or a child
(age 1 to 12) who must ride in the front seat because there
is no rear seat.
WARNING!
Whenever an airbag is turned off, even a lap/
shoulder belted passenger may hit their head, neck,
or chest on the dashboard (instrument panel) or
windshield in a crash. This may result in serious
injury or death.
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To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag
1. Turn ignition to OFF position.
2. Remove the water-resistant plug.
3. Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag ON/
OFF Switch, press inward and turn the key to the right to
the OFF position. This will shut off the passenger airbag.
4. Reinstall the water-resistant plug.
NOTE:When the Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch is
in the OFF position, a indicator light will illuminate when
the ignition is ON. If the indicator light does not illumi-
nate for 3 seconds after the ignition is turned ON, or
when the Passenger Airbag ON/OFF Switch is turned
OFF (while ignition is in the ON position), have an
authorized dealer service the system immediately.
To Turn On the Passenger Airbag
1. Turn ignition to OFF position.
2. Remove the water-resistant plug.3. Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag ON/
OFF Switch, press inward and turn the key to the left to
the ON position. This will turn on the passenger airbag.
4. Reinstall the water-resistant plug.
NOTE:Do not turn the Passenger Airbag ON/OFF
Switch on or off with the ignition in the ON/RUN or
START positions, as the ACM could cause the ªAirbag
Warning Lampº to illuminate.
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the impact
sensors detect a moderate-to-severe frontal collision, to
help restrain the driver and right front passenger, and
then to 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.
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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 gymna-
sium 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 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 cannot protect you in another
collision. Have the airbags replaced by an autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE