What Makes an Air Bag In¯ate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For
both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the in¯ator, which
in¯ates the air bag. The in¯ator, the air bag and
related hardware are all part of the air bag modules.
Frontal air bag modules are located inside the steering
wheel and instrument panel. For vehicles with side
impact air bags, the air bag modules are located in the
seatback closest to the driver's and/or right front
passenger's door.
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But thefrontal air bags would not help you in many types of
collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and
many side impacts, primarily because an occupant's
motion is not toward the air bag. Side impact air bags
would not help you in many types of collisions,
including frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and
rear impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion
is not toward those air bags. Air bags should never
be regarded as anything more than a supplement to
safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal collisions for the driver's and right front
passenger's frontal air bags, and only in moderate
to severe side collisions for the driver's and right front
passenger's side impact air bag.
1-53
In many crashes severe enough to in¯ate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
·Air bags are designed to in¯ate only once. After an
air bag in¯ates, you'll need some new parts for
your air bag system. If you don't get them, the air
bag system won't be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
·Your vehicle is equipped with two electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. Additionally, your vehicle has
two sensors which detect side impacts. These
sensors signal the appropriate side air bag to in¯ate.
Your vehicle is also equipped with a crash sensing
and diagnostic module, which records information
about the frontal air bag system. The module
records information about the readiness of the
system, system status and the driver's and
passenger's safety belt usage at deployment.
·Let only quali®ed technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system won't work properly. See your dealer for
service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver's
or the right front passenger's air bag, or the air
bag covering on the driver's and right front
passenger's seatback, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the air bag
module in the steering wheel, both the air bag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger's air bag, or both the air bag module
and seatback for the driver's and right front
passenger's side impact air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water ± such as
water up to the carpeting or higher ± or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag
controller can be soaked and ruined. If this ever
happens, and then you start your vehicle, the damage
could make the frontal and side impact air bags
in¯ate and safety belt pretensioners activate, even if
there's no crash. You would have to replace the
air bags, all the sensors and related parts, parts of the
safety belt system and parts of the driver and right
front passenger's seatbacks. If your vehicle is ever in a
¯ood, or if it's exposed to water that soaks the carpet,
you can avoid needless repair costs by turning off
the vehicle immediately and disconnecting the battery
cables. Don't let anyone start the vehicle under any
circumstances. See your dealer for service.
1-55
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag systems in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service
manual have information about servicing your vehicle
and the air bag systems. To purchase a service manual,
see ªService and Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
{CAUTION:
For up to two minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still in¯ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when it in¯ates. Avoid wires
wrapped with yellow tape or yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag systems. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali®ed to do so.
The air bag systems do not need regular maintenance.
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-56
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems in
your vehicle. A damaged restraint system may
not properly protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH
system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if
worn during a more severe crash, then you need
new parts.If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt
or LATCH system wasn't being used at the time of
the collision.
If the frontal air bags in¯ate, you will also need to
replace the driver's and right front passengr's safety belt
retractor assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new
retractor assembly will be there to help protect you in a
collision.
If an air bag in¯ates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.
1-57
Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
·Passengers Ð especially children Ð can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the
handle won't open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle
in a crash if the doors aren't locked. So,
wear safety belts properly and lock the
doors whenever you drive.
·Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
·Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter, if equipped. See
Remote Keyless Entry
System Operation on page 2-5for more information.
To manually lock the door from the inside, press the
knob on the door forward. To unlock the door, press the
knob rearward. If you have manual locks, you must
use the key to lock and unlock the liftgate.
2-7
Cargo Cover
To use the cargo cover, attach the side hooks of the
cargo cover to the upper tie down hooks located along
both sides of the rear cargo area.
{CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store
it in the proper storage location. When you put
it back, always be sure that it is securely
reattached.
Cargo Tie Downs
The tire tie-down belts are designed to secure the ¯at
tire. You can also use the belts and hooks to secure
your luggage.
There are eight tie-down hooks located in the rear of
the vehicle. The belts are located under the cargo area
¯oor panel. To use the belts, hook the ends to the
lower tie-down hooks in a criss-cross pattern across the
cargo. Pull on the belts at the buckle to tighten the
belt as needed.
2-41
Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current........3-18
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-19
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-25
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-28
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-31Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-32
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-33
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-34
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-38
Cruise Control Light......................................3-39
Overdrive Off Light........................................3-39
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-39
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-39
Fuel Gage...................................................3-40
Audio System(s).............................................3-41
Setting the Time...........................................3-41
Radio with CD..............................................3-42
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-52
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-63
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-63
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-64
Care of Your CD Player................................3-64
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-64
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(United States Only)..................................3-64
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Air Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
C. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. See
Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.
D. Audio System. See
Audio System(s) on page 3-41.
E. Rear Window Defogger Button. See ªRear Window
Defoggerº under
Climate Control System on
page 3-19.
F. Front Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light. See
Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-28.
G. Climate Control System. See
Climate Control
System on page 3-19.
H. Power Remote Control Mirror Button. See
Outside
Remote Control Mirrors on page 2-36.
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
ªInstrument Panel Brightnessº under
Interior Lamps
on page 3-14.
J. Rear Liftglass Release Button. See
Liftgate/Liftglass
on page 2-9.
K. Coinholder. See
Coinholder(s) on page 2-37.
L. Content Theft-Deterrent Security Light. See
Content
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-13.M. Storage Compartment. See
Instrument Panel
Storage Area on page 2-37.
N. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
O. Hood Release. See
Hood Release on page 5-10.
P. Tilt Lever. See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-5.
Q. Horn. See
Horn on page 3-5.
R. Cruise Control Lever (Option). See ªCruise Controlº
under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
S. Ignition Switch. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-16.
T. Windshield Wiper Lever. See ªWindshield Wipersº
under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
U. Cigarette Lighter. See
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-19.
V. Shift Lever. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-28.
W. Power Outlet. See
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating
Current on page 3-18.
X. Parking Brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-27.
Y. Center Console Storage Area. See
Center Console
Storage Area on page 2-37.
Z. Glove Box. See
Glove Box on page 2-37.
3-3