Indicator Light. The PAD Indicator Light will be off
when teenagers, most children and most children in
forward-facing seats are in the front passenger seat.
The system is only required to turn the PAD Indicator
Light on in the unlikely event that a rear-facing infant
seat is installed in front passenger seat.
NOTE:Children 12 years and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child restraint.
Front Passenger
Seat OccupantPassenger
Airbag Disable
(PAD) Indicator
LightAirbag Status
Airbag Status OFF ON
Grocery Bags,
Heavy Briefcases
and Other
Relatively Light
ObjectsON OFF
Empty or Very
Small ObjectsOFF* OFF
* Since the system senses weight, some small objects
will turn the PAD Indicator Light on.The OCS classifies an occupant using weight sensors
mounted in the base of the front passenger seat. Any
weight on the seat will be sensed by the system. Objects
hanging on the seat or other passengers pushing down
on the seat will also be sensed. The weight of an adult
will cause the system to turn the airbag on. In this case,
the OCS has classified the occupant of the seat as an
adult. An adult occupant needs to sit in a normal position
(with their feet on or near the floor) in order to be
properly classified.
Drivers and adult passengers should verify that the PAD
Indicator Light is not illuminated when they are riding in
the front passenger seat. If an adult occupant's weight is
transferred to another part of the vehicle (like the door or
instrument panel), the weight sensors in the seat may not
properly classify the occupant. Objects lodged under the
seat or between the seat and the center console can
prevent the occupant's weight from being measured
properly and may result in the occupant being improp-
erly classified.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
There are two 12-volt electrical outlets on this vehicle.
Both of the outlets are protected by an automatic reset
circuit breaker. The automatic circuit breaker restores
power when the overload is removed.
The 12 volt power outlet next to the ash receiver tray (if
equipped with an optional Smoker's Package) has power
available only when the ignition is on. This outlet will
also operate a conventional cigar lighter unit.
WARNING!
Do not place ashes inside the cubby bin located on
the center console on vehicles not equipped with the
ash receiver tray. A fire leading to bodily injury
could result.
NOTE:If desired, the power outlet next to the ash tray
receiver (if equipped) can be converted by your autho-
rized dealer to provide power with the ignition switch in
the LOCK position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 127
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The center console outlet is powered directly from the
battery (power available at all times). Items plugged into
this outlet may discharge the battery and/or prevent
engine starting.Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off
CAUTION!
²Many accessories that can be plugged in draw power
from the vehicle's battery, even when not in use (i.e.
cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long
enough, the vehicle's battery will discharge suffi-
ciently to degrade battery life and/or prevent engine
starting.
²Accessories that draw higher power (i.e. coolers,
vacuum cleaners, lights, etc.), will degrade the bat-
tery even more quickly. Only use these intermit-
tently and with greater caution.
²After the use of high power draw accessories, or long
periods of the vehicle not being started (with acces-
sories still plugged in), the vehicle must be driven a
sufficient length of time to allow the alternator to
recharge the vehicle's battery.
²Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only.
Do not hang any type of accessory or accessory
bracket from the plug. Improper use of the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by your war-
ranty.
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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CUPHOLDERS
Front Seat Cupholders
The cupholders are located in the forward edge of the
center console.Push down on the cover (300 Touring, and 300C only) as
shown to expose the cupholders. Close the cover when
the cupholders are no longer needed.
Front Seat Cupholders
Front Seat Cupholders Ð 300
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129
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Rear Seat Cupholders
The rear seat cupholders are located in the center armrest
between the rear seats. The cup holders are positioned
forward in the armrest and side-by-side to provide
convenient access to beverage cans or bottles while
maintaining a resting place for the rear occupants' el-
bows.
STORAGE
Console Features
The center console includes a large internal storage bin.
The storage bin has a rubber mat for noise control. The
bin is also large enough to hold a portable AC/DC
converter to power lap tops, games, or other electrical
equipment. Two slots at the top right side of the bin
provide clearance for power cords to pass conveniently
out of the bin with the lid closed. This feature is ideal for
games, laptops, cell phones or other electrical equipment.
A four-slot coin holder can hold US dollar coins or
Canadian one and two-dollar coins, as well as quarters,
dimes and nickels. The bin has a Front-opening lid for
easy access inside by either the driver or front passenger.
There are also two shift bezel cubby bins with rubber
mats for holding small items. For vehicles not equipped
with the navigation radio, an extra storage bin is pro-
vided below the climate controls that holds up to four CD
jewel cases. The inside portion of the arm rest lid contains
a pen holder, a tissue holder, and a tire gauge holder.
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Mode Selection
The mode selector (the right rotary
knob) can be placed in several posi-
tions. Dots between each of the mode
selections identify intermediate modes
that allow the occupants to fine tune
airflow distribution.
Defrost
Air is directed to the windshield through the
outlets at the base of the windshield. Air is also
directed to the front door windows through the side
window demister grilles.
NOTE:
To improve fuel economy, leave in defrost only
when necessary.
Defrost/Floor
Air flows through the front and rear floor outlets
and the outlets at the base of the windshield. Air
is also directed to the front door windows
through the side window demister grilles.Floor
Air flows through the floor outlets located under
the instrument panel and into the rear seating
area through vents under the front seats.
Bi-Level
Air flows both through the outlets located in the
instrument panel and those located on the floor.
Air flows through the registers in the back of the
center console to the rear seat passengers. These
registers can be closed to partially block airflow.
Panel
Air flows through the outlets located in the instru-
ment panel. Air flows through the registers in the
back of the center console to the rear seat passengers.
These registers can be closed to block airflow.
Recirculation
The recirculation feature can be selected with
the mode control knob. You may choose
between Bi-Level Recirculation and Panel
Recirculation air outlets while in this mode.
Normally, air enters from outside the vehicle. How-
ever, when in Recirculation mode air inside the vehicle
196 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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The operator can override the AUTO mode setting and
select the direction of the air by rotating the right mode
knob to one of the following positions.
²Defrost
Air is directed to the windshield through the
outlets at the base of the windshield. Air is
also directed to the front door windows through the
side window demister grilles.
²
Defrost/Floor
Air flows through the front and rear floor
outlets and the outlets at the base of the
windshield. Air is also directed to the front
door windows through the side window demister
grilles.
²
Floor
Air flows through the floor outlets located
under the instrument panel and into the rear
seating area through vents under the front seats.
²
Bi-Level
Air flows both through the outlets located in
the instrument panel and those located on thefloor. Air flows through the registers in the back of
the center console to the rear seat passengers. These
registers can be closed to block airflow.
²
Panel
Air flows through the outlets located in the
instrument panel. Air flows through the regis-
ters in the back of the center console to the rear seat
passengers. These registers can be closed to block
airflow.
Depress this button to turn on and off the air
conditioning during manual operation only. Con-
ditioned outside air is then directed through the
outlets selected on the mode control dial. The button
includes an LED that illuminates when manual operation
is selected, and will cause an audible beep.
NOTE:To manually control the air conditioning the
mode selector must be moved out of the AUTO position.
Press this button to turn on the rear window
defroster and the heated side mirrors (if
equipped). An LED in the button will illuminate and an
audible beep indicates that the rear window defroster is
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 201
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NSteering Linkage......................301
NDrive Shaft Universal Joints..............301
NBody Lubrication.....................301
NWindshield Wiper Blades................301
NWindshield Washers...................302
NExhaust System......................302
NCooling System.......................303
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......307
NBrakes.............................307
NBrake Fluid Level Check................309
NFuel System Hoses....................310
NAutomatic Transmission................310
NFront And Rear Wheel Bearings...........311
NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................311NCleaning The Center Console Cup
Holders Ð 300.......................315
NCleaning The Center Console Cup Holders Ð
300C, 300 Touring.....................315
mPower Distribution Centers...............315
NFront Power Distribution Center...........315
NRear Power Distribution Center...........318
mVehicle Storage........................321
mReplacement Light Bulbs................322
mBulb Replacement......................323
NLow Beam Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp,
Park/Turn Lamp, Inner Park Lamp, And Outer
Park Lamp ± 300......................323
NLow Beam Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp,
And Park/Turn Lamp ± 300C.............324
NBackup Lamp, Side Marker Lamp, And
Tail/Stop Turn Lamp Ð 300..............326
282 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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