TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE
Use the key or the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter to
open the trunk from outside the vehicle. From inside the
car the trunk lid can be released by depressing the Trunk
Release Button located on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel. The transmission must be in Park
before the switch will operate. Vehicles with manual
transmissions must be at zero mph for the switch to
work.With the ignition ON, the word“deck”will be displayed
in place of the odometer display indicating that the trunk
is open. The odometer display will reappear once the
trunk is closed or if the trip button is depressed.
With the key in lock position or key out, the“deck”will
be displayed until the trunk is closed.
TRUNK SAFETY WARNING
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape,
even if they entered through the rear seat. If trapped
in the trunk, children can die from suffocation or
heat stroke.
Trunk Release Button
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Driver and Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s 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.This vehicle may also be equipped with left and right
window bags to protect the driver and passengers sitting
next to a window. If the vehicle is equipped with window
bags, they are located above the side windows. Their
covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim; but they will open to allow airbag deploy-
ment.
Front Airbag Components
Window Airbag
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Children that are not big enough to properly wear the
vehicle seat belt (see section on“Child Restraint”) should
be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats.
Older children who do not use child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats should ride properly buckled
up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the
shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child
restraint. See the section on“Child Restraint”.
2. You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
3. All occupants should use their seat belts properly.
4. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbags time to inflate.
5. If your vehicle has left and right window bags, do not
lean against the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into
the space between you and the door.WARNING!
•Relying 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.
•Being 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.
•If the vehicle has left and right window bags, they
also need room to inflate. Do not lean against the
door or window. Sit upright in the center of the
seat.
Airbag System Components
The front airbag system consists of the following:
•Airbag Control Module
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
•AIRBAGReadiness Light
•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Left and Right Window Bags Above Side Windows—
If Equipped
•Left and Right Side Impact Sensors—If Equipped
•Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How The Airbag System Works
•
The airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate. The control module receives the level of colli-
sion severity, determines the proper level of airbag to
be deployed. The frontal airbag inflators are designed
to provide three different rates of air bag inflation.
•The airbag control module will not detect rollover or
rear collisions.
•The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolster, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the“off”position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
•The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAGlight 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
2
where the window bag inflates. This especially applies to
children. The window bag is only about 31⁄2inches (83⁄4
cm) thick when it is inflated.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•It 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 airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for your protec-
tion in an impact. While the airbag system is designed to
be maintenance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
•TheAIRBAGlight does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, 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.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the mirror during cleaning,
never spray any cleaning solution directly onto the
mirror. Apply the solution onto a clean cloth and
wipe the mirror clean.
Electric Remote-Control Mirrors—If Equipped
Both of the outside mirrors can be adjusted by using the
remote controls mounted on the instrument panel to the
left of the steering wheel.
NOTE:Place the mirror selector switch in the center
(neutral) position to prevent accidental movement of the
mirrors.
Outside Mirror—Driver’s Side
Adjust the outside mirror to center on the adjacent lane of
traffic, with a slight overlap of the view obtained on the
inside mirror.
Power Mirror Controls
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 57
3
Headlight Beam Select Switch
Pull the turn signal lever towards you to switch the
headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the turn signal lever a
second time to switch the headlights to LOW beam.
Flash to Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the turn signal lever toward the steering
wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn on at high
beam and remain on until the lever is released.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for about 90 seconds when leaving your vehicle in an
unlighted area.
To activate the delay, turn off the ignition while the
headlights are still on. Then turn off the headlights. The
delay interval begins when the ignition is turned off.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will turn off in the normal manner.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch in the
right side control lever. Turn the end of the control lever
to select the desired wiper speed.
NOTE:Always remove any build-up of snow that
prevents the windshield wiper blades from returning to
the OFF position. If the windshield wiper switch is
turned OFF and the blades cannot return to the OFF
position, damage to the wiper motor may occur.
Windshield Wiper/Washer Control
68 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, push down on the lever below the turn
signal control and move the wheel up or down, as
desired. Push the lever back up to lock the column firmly
in place.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.
Tilt Steering Column Control
70 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE