Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual
have information about servicing your vehicle and the
airbag system. To purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-11.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still in ate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it in ates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali ed to do so.
The airbag system does 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 airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
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Remote Keyless Entry System
If equipped, the keyless entry system operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-5.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
quali ed technician for service.
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Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about four years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter will not
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it is probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.
To replace the battery, do the following:
1. Insert a thin coin, or similar object, into the notch
near the key ring. Turn it counterclockwise to
separate the two halves of the transmitter.
2. Once the transmitter is separated, use a pencil
eraser to remove the old battery. Do not use a
metal object.
3. Remove and replace the battery. Replace it as the
instructions inside the cover indicate. Use one
Duracell
®battery, type DL-2032, or a similar type.
4. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure
no moisture can enter.
5. Check the operation of the transmitter.
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If the SECURITY light comes on for one minute and
then shuts off while the ignition is on, the security
system has detected a problem. See your dealer for
service.
If a door is opened without the key or remote keyless
entry transmitter, or if the door key cylinders are
damaged, the alarm will go off. The exterior lamps will
ash and the horn will sound for 30 seconds, then will go
off in order to save battery power.
Remember, the theft-deterrent system will not activate if
you lock the doors with a key or manual door lock. It
activates only if you use a power door lock switch while
the door is open, or the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
Avoid setting off the alarm by accident.
Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any
other way will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock the driver’s
door with your key. You can also turn off the alarm
by pressing the button with the unlock symbol on the
remote keyless entry transmitter. The alarm will not stop
if you try to unlock a door any other way.Testing the Alarm
1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the window.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open, or
with the remote keyless entry transmitter, if
equipped.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for
the SECURITY light to go out.
4. Then, reach in through the window, unlock the door
with the manual door lock and open the door. This
should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To
replace the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-111.
If the alarm does not sound, or the exterior lamps do
not ash, see your dealer.
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Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition,
you can turn to four
different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is in all the way. If
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.
OFF:This is the only position from which you can
remove the key. This position locks your ignition and
transaxle. It is a theft-deterrent feature.
ACC (Accessory):In this position you can operate
your electrical accessories such as power windows,
audio system, windshield wipers, and sunroof, if
equipped.ON:This is the position the switch returns to after you
start your engine and release the switch. Even when
the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate
your electrical accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning lights. This is the
position for driving your vehicle.
START:This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC and ON are
positions that allow you to operate your electrical
accessories.
Key Reminder Warning
If you leave your key in OFF you will hear a warning
tone when you open the driver’s door.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
After you turn the ignition off and remove the key, you
will still have power to such accessories as the
radio, power windows and sunroof, if equipped, for up to
10 minutes. Power is turned off if you open a door.
Always leave your key in OFF. If you leave your key in
any position other than OFF, your battery will
discharge prematurely.
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Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, hold your key
in START for about 10 seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds.
If your vehicle has the V8 engine, and the engine
starts brie y but then stops again, repeat the
procedure.
If your vehicle has the V6 engine, and the engine
starts brie y but then stops, repeat the procedure,
but this time keep the pedal down for ve or six
seconds to clear the extra gasoline from the engine.
After waiting about 15 seconds, repeat the normal
starting procedure.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
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If the Twilight Sentinel®lighting is active, it can be
disabled by turning on the manual parking lamps. This
lighting will be disabled until the key is turned from
ON or until the manual parking lamps are turned off.
Also, it is possible that your headlamps may go
out if you drive from a dark area into a bright area like a
lighted parking lot. If this happens, turn on your
headlamps with the exterior lamp control.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the exterior lamp control has been left on, the exterior
lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after the ignition
is turned to OFF and a door has been opened.
This protects against draining the battery in case you
have accidentally left the headlamps or parking
lamps on. If you need to leave the lamps on for more
than 10 minutes, use the exterior lamp control to turn the
lamps back on after turning the ignition to OFF and
opening a door. To delay the lamps from turning off, see
“Twilight Sentinel
®,” listed previously.
Instrument Panel Brightness
When it is dark outside, you can brighten or dim your
instrument panel cluster lights using the DIM knob,
located to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the instrument
panel cluster lights and displays. Turn the knob
clockwise all the way to turn on the interior courtesy
lamps. Turn the knob counterclockwise to dim the
instrument panel cluster lights and displays and to turn
off the courtesy lamps.
Courtesy Lamps
If it is dark enough outside, when any door is opened,
several lamps will come on. They make it easier for you
to enter and leave the vehicle. Turn the DIM knob all
the way clockwise to turn the interior courtesy lamps on.
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Entry Lighting
If it is dark enough outside and you press the unlock
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter, if
equipped, the interior courtesy lamps will come on and
stay on for about 25 seconds. The lamps will turn
off immediately by pressing the lock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter, by turning the ignition
key to ON or by activating the power door locks.
If a door is left ajar, your interior lamps will turn off after
10 minutes to save your battery.
Delayed Entry Lighting
When you open the door to enter your vehicle, the
interior lamps will come on if it is dark enough outside.
When you close the door with the ignition off, the
interior lamps will stay on for 25 seconds or until the
ignition is turned on. Locking the doors with the power
door lock switch, or with the lock button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter, if equipped, will
override the delayed entry lighting and the lamps will
turn off immediately.
Theater Dimming
This feature allows for a three to ve-second fade out of
the courtesy lamps instead of immediate turn off after
you remove the key from the ignition.
Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature will turn on the interior lamps for 25 seconds
after you remove the key from the ignition while the
doors are closed and it is night. This will give you time
to nd the door handle or lock switches as you exit
the vehicle.
This lighting will only be deactivated if the key is
reinserted into the ignition switch or the power door
locks are activated.
Perimeter Lighting
When the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, if equipped, is pressed, the DRL headlamps,
parking lamps and back-up lamps will turn on if it is
dark enough outside.
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